The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has pointed out that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is a national call to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria which therefore requires citizens who are not only physically and medically fit, but also mentally and emotionally stable.
The Army Chief made the observation at the flagging off a 10Km endurance run for candidates undergoing screening to qualify for the 84 Regular Recruits intake into the Nigerian Army (NA), at the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) in Falgore forest, Kano state on Saturday 7 January, 2023.
While making clear his position, the COAS pointed out that it is not a job opportunity, but a call to national service, as it requires selflessness and if need be, the supreme sacrifice, rather than an all comers’ affair.
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, General Yahaya noted, unlike other professions, recruitment into the NA should not be perceived as employment opportunity, as is the case in other conventional endeavours of life.
He therefore advised the candidates to take the screening seriously, as only the best will emerge in the final enlistment. He also admonished the personnel conducting the screening exercise to protect their integrity by avoiding any form of compromise.
Speaking during a brief on the ongoing Screening Exercise to the COAS, the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Wilson Ali, stated that the progressive provision of infrastructure, such as electricity, portable water, upgrade of medical centre, dormitories and lavatories in the centre, enabled a conducive environment to effectively conduct the exercise. He assured the COAS of a hitch free screening exercise.
The COAS later embarked on a tour of the facility and paid a visit to candidates who were receiving attention at the medical centre. He was accompanied during the tour by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, GOC 1 Division, Commandant Depot NA and Commander 3 Brigade.
Emmanuel Ukoh
