By Magnus Aluma
Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru has appealed to the Nigerian Army to release about 982.7 hectares of Army land in Abakaliki to facilitate expansion and development of the capital city.
Governor Nwifuru made the appeal on Wednesday during the passing-out parade of the pioneer recruits of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the request was in appreciation of the Army’s decision to establish the recruit training depot in the state, describing the institution as a strategic national asset that would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and also accelerate socio-economic development in Ebonyi State.
Nwifuru said, “we wish to make a very formidable request from our dear state to the Nigerian Army.
“The request is for a portion of Army land measuring 982.7 hectares at Abakaliki for effective and orderly development of the capital city.”
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the depot in Ebonyi State and providing the resources for its take-off, adding that this underscores the commitment of the Federal Government to strengthening national security.
“The establishment of this training institution is already yielding dividends through improved security network, economic activities, infrastructure development and stronger civil-military relations,” he stated.
According to him, “beyond the training of soldiers for national service, it will significantly enhance security, stimulate economic activities, improve infrastructure and foster stronger civil-military relationships.”
The Governor assured the Army of the continued support of the people of Ebonyi State, and promised to sustain a peaceful and conducive environment for military operations and harmonious coexistence with host communities.
He also appealed to the Army authorities to facilitate the completion and equipping of the Nigerian Army Referral Hospital being built in Ebonyi State to serve the state and the entire Southeast Zone.
In an address on the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, urged youths from the Southeast to embrace military service, expressing concern that the area had consistently failed to utilise its recruitment quota.
His words: “for some time now, the recruitment quota from this zone has not been fully utilised.
“This should not continue. The military is an honourable endeavour of patriotism, leadership and national contribution.
“I therefore call on parents, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders from the Southeast zone, to encourage eligible youths to enlist in the Nigerian Army.”
The Army Chief noted that the passing-out parade marked the graduation of the pioneer recruits trained at the newly established Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, the first primary military recruit training institution in the Southeast and the third recruit depot in the country.
Shaibu disclosed that the graduating soldiers formed part of the first batch of 14,000 recruits under President Tinubu’s Strategic Force Expansion Initiative, which aims to raise 28,000 additional personnel for the Nigerian Army.
“The expansion was designed to strengthen the Army’s capacity to tackle terrorism, insurgency, banditry, separatist violence, cyber threats and other emerging security challenges confronting the country,” the Army Chief emphasised.
He also warned the newly recruited soldiers not to violate the social media policy of the Nigerian Army.
The Army Chief further said, “the unauthorised posting of operational information, images of military activities and sensitive locations constitute a serious breach of regulations.
“This can and will attract disciplinary actions and and even outright dismissal from service where necessary.”
He commended Governor Nwifuru for supporting the establishment of the depot in the area, stating that the governor had ‘written his name in gold’ as one of the founding fathers of the institution.
The Army boss equally charged the newly recruited soldiers to uphold the virtues of discipline, professionalism, loyalty and respect for human rights as they begin their military careers across various formations the country.
A total of 3,011 candidates commenced training at the new depot, while 2,989 of them successfully completed the rigorous military training and graduated during the passing-out parade.
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