Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has noted that joining the Nigerian Army should not be viewed as a job opportunity, as is the case in other normal endeavours in life.
On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) in Falgore Forest, Kano state, the Army Chief made the observation just before beginning a 10-kilometer endurance run for applicants undergoing screening to qualify for the 84 regular recruits intake into the Nigerian Army (NA).
The COAS noted that, unlike other professions, recruitment into the Nigerian Army is a national call to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation and, as a result, requires citizens who are not only physically and medically fit, but also mentally and emotionally stable. This was stated in a statement signed by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations.
He emphasised that it is not an open invitation to everyone and that it is instead a summons to national service that requires selflessness and, if necessary, the ultimate sacrifice. The best applicants will be chosen for the final enlistment, so he recommended the prospects take the screening seriously. Gen. Yahaya also cautioned the screening exercise’s participants to safeguard their integrity by avoiding any kind of compromise.
Maj Gen Wilson Ali, Chief of Administration (Army), said that the provision of infrastructure, such as electricity, portable water, and the upgrading of the medical centre, dormitories, and restrooms in the centre, enabled a conducive environment to effectively conduct the exercise. He was speaking during a briefing on the ongoing screening exercise for the COAS. He promised the COAS a trouble-free screening procedure.
Later, the COAS visited candidates who were receiving care at the medical centre and took a tour of the building.
On the trip, the COAS was accompanied by the GOC of the 1st Division, the Commandant of the NA Depot, and the Commander of the 3rd Brigade.
