The Nigerian Army have been advised to consider the recruitment of more soldiers in order to record more success in the fight against insecurity across the country.
Speaking with journalists on Monday during the Grand Finale of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration which features the laying of wreaths, firing of 21 rounds volley in honour of the fallen heroes and the release of ceremonial pigeons which symbolises peace at the Remembrance Arcade, Opposite Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo state Capital, the State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Deputy Commandant General Julius Ogunkojo called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to recruit more soldiers into Nigerian Army.
He said, “The retired soldiers should always have regular meeting with the serving ones, I mean an interactive season, through that we will be able to interact, I want the Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to look in that regards.”
“We need to recruit more soldiers, the numbers of the personnel serving in the army is too low compared to US, compare to China, we need to recruit more because we need to consider our population, this process will enhance our security capacity and not only that, government need to boost the morales of our Army, we need to increase their salary and allowances for us to have a successful battle as regards this insecurity challenges we are currently facing in the country.” Ogunkojo said.
While speaking about the challenges of Nigerian Legion in the state, Ogunkojo said, “Our challenge is based on the monthly allowance, the allowances are so poor that it cannot be level with the current economic situation of nowadays, our allowance is something we can write home about, this can’t sustain our members, and I’m using this opportunity to employ our members and the well meaning Nigerians to come to our aide, I’m also using this opportunity to thank our Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his promise during the launching of our emblem on 28th December, 2023, we hope and believe that he will keep to his promises soonest.”
In his words while speaking with journalits after performing the annual rituals of laying the wreaths, freeing the pigeons, inspection of the parade guards, the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde commended the service commanders in the state for their efforts in securing lives and property of residents of the state.
Governor Makinde said, “let me use this opportunity to thank the service commanders in Oyo State, the officers and men for their dedication and for keeping us safe.”
“We are eternally grateful to them. And for the fallen heroes, and for the people they left behind, we will continue to give them support and make lives bearable for them.””Well, our people, they have seen the hard work our service commanders, their officers and men are putting in to keep us safe. We have the assurance that Oyo State will continue to remain safe, but please, corporate with our service commanders and when you see something, say something.” Makinde said.
Dignitaries at the event includes, all the service commanders in the state, representative of Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Deputy Governor of the State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin, among others.