Delta govt raises concern over inability to fill military, paramilitary slots

The Delta State government has said it is not comfortable with the inability of Deltans to fully take up slots allocated to the state due to youths’ declining interest in the military and paramilitary services.

Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, stated when Delta State Awareness Creation Committee on Youth Enlistment In the Military and Paramilitary Services submitted her report to the State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

While saying the development has prompted the inauguration of the special committee to address the problem, he assured that their report will be implemented to boost the number of applicants of Delta state origin in recruitment exercises.

Receiving the report on behalf of the governor, he added that a career in the military, police, customs and other paramilitary services is in line with the job and wealth creation programmes captured in the agenda of the government.

He emphasized the need for the government to embark on sustained awareness and sensitization campaigns on military, paramilitary recruitments, and degree programmes at the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.

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“This report is very important. I commend the Chairman and members for your time and various contributions. I will present the report to His Excellency, the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, JP, for his attention and necessary action.

“I have no doubts in my mind that implementation shall commence very soon, because we need to start utilizing our slots during military and Paramilitary recruitments, going forward.

“In the last Army recruitment we did well as a state, a total number of 137 qualified Delta Youths were recruited against the 80 recruited in 2023, due to a massive media awareness campaign embarked upon by the State Orientation and Communications Bureau. We shall sustain media advocacy and other publicity strategies.

“Careers in military and Paramilitary services are in tandem with the job and wealth creation programmes encapsulated in the governor’s MORE agenda,” Dr Emu said.

Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman and Commissioner for Youth Development, ThankGod Harry said the committee adhered strictly to her terms of reference, adding that government objectives shall be accomplished through the strict implementation of the recommendations.