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 of life.
The COAS commented on Saturday, January 7, 2023, just before signalling the start of a 10K endurance run for applicants undergoing screening to qualify for the 84 Regular Recruits Intake into the Nigerian Army (NA) at the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) in Falgore forest, Kano state, according to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations. The COAS explained his stance by pointing out that, unlike other professions, joining the NA is a call to the nation to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, necessitating the recruitment of people who are physically and medically fit and also emotionally and mentally stable. He emphasized that it is not an open invitation to work; rather, it is a summons to national service that involves selflessness and, if necessary, the ultimate sacrifice.
The best applicants will be chosen for the final enlisting, thus 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, potable water, and 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 COAS. He promised a trouble-free screening procedure for COAS. Later, the COAS visited candidates who were receiving care at the medical centre and took a tour of the building. Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, GOC 1 Division, Commandant Depot NA, and Commander 3 Brigade accompanied the COAS on the trip.
