Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has admonished State Candidates for the 87th Regular Recruit intake of the Nigerian army to be good and courageous representatives of the state.
The Deputy Governor gave the charge today during his visitation to the candidates at the Military Cantonment Ikeja, urging them to always remember their homes and upbringing, and be rest assured that their state is behind them.
While expressing his happiness for the successful enlistment, Hamzat urged them to remain composed and level-headed at all times, saying, “Never forget your roots and the values that will shape your character, remember the ‘Omo Luabi’ ethos in us as Yoruba which should be taken to the military, showing that you can build a country that is better than the ones our fathers have built and that is capable of making you a better soldier”.
The Deputy Governor advised them to be more determined, noting that everything in life requires determination, stressing that it is important they represent their state and country well. “Nigeria is the only country we have and it must be sustained, and anyone who helps to sustain one’s country is always rewarded even with the creator”, he stated.
Hamzat also assured them that they are in good hands, and that the Nigerian Army is a professional institution, adding that the Nigerian Army is an evolving system, which is getting better. “It is more advanced than before, more technologically grown, and I assure you that the experience you will have will be better than previous ones”, he said.
He therefore prayed that they would continue to succeed and become better soldiers than those they met before.
Earlier In her remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin reiterated the commitment of the state government to the prioritisation of the welfare of the Lagos State candidates, noting that this is the first time the Lagos State candidates have had it so good. She added that the government deliberately provided conducive accommodation, feeding, and other welfare packages to ensure that the candidates experienced unique welfare.
In his remarks, the Commander 9th Bridge of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi noted that the recruitment exercise commences with a sensitisation programme for the different able-bodied men and women in the different states to show interest in the Nigerian Army and for them to defend their nation.
The programme was designed to emphasise that the Nigerian Army does not belong to a particular section of the country and that there is a career path the candidate can choose to follow by joining the Army.
While commending the State government, the Army Commander appreciated the presence of the Deputy Governor for identifying with the indigenes of Lagos State who have chosen to pursue their careers in the Nigerian Army. He noted that his presence will further encourage the young men and women and will let them know that they are not alone and that the state is right behind them and boost their morale.
In his address, the State temporary Recruitment Officer, Major Okuneye stated that a total of 409 candidates were initially shortlisted for the exercise, 280 of them were documented and eventually 191 candidates succeeded to the medical screen point.
Speaking further on the recruitment exercise, Major Okuneye said that the 87th recruitment team commenced training on the 20th of June across the different states of the federation and the federal capital territory and will run till the 4th of July when the candidates will be conveyed to Depot of Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Earlier in his remarks, one of the royal fathers, Oba of Igbobi Sabe, HRM Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adewunmi emphasised that the present administration has shown its support for the candidates’ recruitment into the Military.
He noted that the presence of the Traditional Rulers at the event signifies that all the Traditional Rulers in the State are in their support. He, therefore, congratulated the candidates on their success on the first step to serving the nation, adding that their courage is encouraging.
