The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at increasing youth enrolment in the Nigerian Armed Forces while also tackling the issue of human trafficking.
This was announced by Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, during a seminar on Thursday.
The seminar, themed “Ignite: Sparking Passion and Purpose,” was designed to inspire Lagosian youths and equip them with the tools needed to overcome life’s challenges.
Oyerinde noted that declining youth enrolment in the Armed Forces and Police has prompted the government to take action, stressing the benefits and opportunities that military service can offer.
“We want to see a large scale of youth enrolling for this program so that there will be room for competition. We won’t have any shortfall, any shortfall left behind when they are doing that enrollment.
“And that’s our commitment for this program. And it’s not going to stop there. We have as a ministry, we have taken it up to ensure that it will be coming on a quarterly basis until that awareness gets to a level that we so desire,” he added.
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He highlighted the significant challenges facing young people, such as unemployment and a lack of access to soft loans and relevant job skills, which contribute to their reluctance to join the military or paramilitary services.
Oyerinde emphasized the importance of creating awareness about opportunities in public service, urging youths to take advantage of them. He assured that the government will continue to run similar programs quarterly to maintain momentum and awareness.
The event also addressed the common misconceptions about military careers, with officials from the Federal Character Commission and the Nigerian Army stressing that military service is a noble profession offering numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
In addition to encouraging military enrolment, the seminar also tackled the issue of human trafficking, with Mrs. Agboko Comfort, Lagos Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), urging youths to seize opportunities within Nigeria and avoid the dangers of trafficking.
Also, Hon Dr. Rauf Olawale Age-Sulaiman, Chairman, House committee on Special Duties, Intergovernmental Relations, and Central Business District, has urged youths to embrace military and police jobs.
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He noted that the Ministry of Special Duty is saddled with the problem of intergovernmental relations, which has to do with the relationship between the states and the federal government.
Sulaiman also addressed the issue of difficulties faced by applicants during the recruitment process and assured that the ministry will come up with the right way to resolve the issues.
In the same vein, Mrs Opakunle Islamiyah, Deputy Director, Federal Character Commission (FCC), has urged parents to motivate their children to join the military, stressing that it is not a death trap.
Islamiyah emphasized that the military is a noble profession that offers opportunities for young people to serve their country.
Also, Major Oke, Major General, Nigerian Army Forces, 9 Brigades, added that the military is a very noble profession that not everybody has the opportunity to join.
Oke emphasized that every member of the armed forces is a first-class citizen of the country and contributes to the security of Nigeria.
Other speakers, including Mrs Okuluyi Titi, Deputy Commander Narcotic, NDLEA, and Mr Hammed Lukman Adeyemi, Deputy Director, Ministry of Youth and Sport, advised youths to avoid drug abuse and encouraged parents to motivate their children to join the military.
Mrs Agboko Comfort, Lagos Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), emphasized that Nigeria is the best country in the world and encouraged youths to take advantage of opportunities available in the country.