Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has assured the Nigerian Army of the state government’s support for its 92nd Regular Recruit Intake (92 RRI) sensitisation and public enlightenment campaign to encourage eligible youths to participate in the ongoing recruitment exercise.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, gave the assurance when he received a delegation led by the Director of Coordination at the Army War College, Brigadier General Ben Ugbuji, accompanied by Lt. Col. E. Ogbonna, in Calabar.
Odey commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their continued support and collaboration in tackling insecurity in Cross River State and the country at large.
He assured the delegation that the Governor Otu administration would mobilise and encourage eligible youths across the state to participate fully in the recruitment exercise, stressing the need to ensure that Cross River State takes full advantage of its allocated recruitment quota.
The Deputy Governor noted that the state government would support efforts to sensitise young people about the recruitment opportunities and encourage qualified applicants to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
Earlier, Brigadier General Ugbuji explained that the delegation was in the state to conduct a public sensitisation and enlightenment campaign on the Nigerian Army’s 92nd Regular Recruit Intake, in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 28,000 tradesmen and non-tradesmen into the Nigerian Army, noting that the exercise was already underway.
According to him, some states, including Cross River, had not been meeting their allocated recruitment quotas, making it necessary to intensify public awareness and encourage more eligible candidates to apply.
Ugbuji also urged the state government to consider conducting preliminary screening for interested applicants at the local level to ensure they meet the required standards before proceeding to the Army’s official screening exercise. This, he noted, would help reduce the risk of applicants failing the screening process and enable the state to maximise its recruitment opportunities.
Brigadier General Ugbuji commended the Cross River State Government for its continued support and cooperation with the Nigerian Army, expressing confidence that increased public awareness and government backing would improve participation in the recruitment exercise.
Also in attendance were Lt. Col. E. Ogbonna and the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Hon. Chief Emmanuel Ironbar.
By Ukongikwen Adie
