Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos State government has expressed concern over the low participation of the state’s residents in military recruitment.
During a quarterly meeting with the Chairman and members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ikeja, the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, noted that only a small number of applicants from Lagos State are joining the military.
Salu-Hundeyin emphasized on Wednesday that national security is a shared responsibility, and serving in the military is a vital contribution to both the state and the nation. She voiced her concern over the low enrollment of local youths, particularly evident during the recent recruitment exercise.
Furthermore, she noted that the Federal Government has mandated that military recruitment should be evenly distributed, with each state allocated 150 positions.
“We discovered that in the military in Nigeria, Lagos State has been seriously short-changed. We hardly have people there. So, we are looking at this opportunity now, that it should not escape indigenes again.
“The military is about the security of a nation, and the security of any nation must be everybody’s business.
“It should not be for a particular group only, but because everybody cannot wear uniform, the government, in its wisdom, now says those of you that want to do this job, you will apply.
“Unfortunately, in Lagos State, our children don’t like to join the military. They don’t see any reason they should be part of the army. If your state does not participate, you are short-changing your state,” Salu-Hundeyin said.
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