Enugu State Leads South East In Campaign Against Low Youth Enlistment In Police
_By Odo, Hyginus_
The Enugu State government in its commitment to getting Indigenes involved in Nigerian Police Force, has taken the lead in South-East to campaign against limited participation of youths in police recruitment.
In the first campaign carried out by the Ministry of Information and Communication Enugu at Uzo-Uwani and Ezeagu Local Government Areas(LGAs), the Hon. Commissioner, Aka Eze Aka, laid much emphasis on the need for the teaming youths of Enugu State to engage themselves in applying for the Nigerian Police recruitment exercise.
Aka who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication, Dr. Ben Ezema, Head of Administration, Mrs. Ugochukwu Adimora, the his aide, Hon. Onyekachi Ugwu, and the Technical Assistant (TA) to the Commissioner, Engr. Kingsley Ugwuonah, said that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah saw something very reasonable in the recruitment application and that was why he (the Governor) had sent them to sensitise the young men to key into the exercise.
The Hon. Commissioner stated that being in Uzo-Uwani first for the campaign as directed by His Excellency might be as a result of the governor’s special interest in the area, adding that when they considered the matter, they realised that Ndi-Enugu were lagging behind in terms of filling the quota given to Enugu in the Nigerian Police Force.
He said, “His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is deeply interested in this matter so much so that you don’t need to bribe anybody to get into it. He (the governor) does not believe in bribe. He has taken it upon himself that anybody who applied and qualified must be taken. So, anyone who says you must give him bribe, please don’t. He does not believe in bribe but believes in making sure that all persons who may have applied will get enlisted”.
This campaign had been carried out in different media platforms but for the purpose of grassroots engagement, hence the visit.
The Commissioner said, “You must have heard or read where we have advertised that young people should apply and join the police force. Unfortunately, the response has been very low. We intend to pass this message to the people and go directly to convince them of the need to join the Nigerian Police. Because as time passes, we find out that our people will be left behind in the Force. Many of us have other things we are doing which may not be as viable as joining the Nigerian Police. I have one or two persons who will tell you the advantages of joining the Police as at today.”
Pointing out more reasons to engage in Police Force, Aka said, “but when we look at it peripherally, we will see that it may not be as impressive as we may look at it, but sometimes opportunity calls in a manner that tomorrow may be better than today. The only thing is that please we want people who are qualified to be enlisted in the Police Force.”
In their separate speeches, the Chairman Uzo-Uwani Local Government represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Pius Okeagu, the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Michael Amekezie, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Philip Okoro and other Councilors, the Nimbo President General, Dr. Akachukwu Clement, Dr. George Ajogwu, and many other Stakeholders, who said that they knew how best to engage their people perfectly, applauded the Governor’s initiative pledging to support the campaign vigorously.
Recall that on October 13, 2023, the Police Recruitment Board in a publication signed by its chairman, stated time frame for this year’s application period ranging from 15th October 2023 to 26th November 2023.
The board also gave www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng as the website to apply from, enumerating mode of application with the following requirements which must be provided: National Identification Number (NIN), 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WAEC/NECO or its equivalent with credit passes in English and Mathematics, 18-25 age requirement, medically, physically, and psychologically fit, 1.6m tall for male and 1.64m for female, they must not have less than 86cm (34 inches) expanded chest, no pregnant woman accepted, must provide valid email address and phone number, certificate of exam taken before 2015 is not accepted, and he/she must be free from convicted crime offences.
At Ezeagu LGA, it was the same message as the team met young vibrant men and women who were interested in joining. Some of them decried challenges of age bracket which might hinder there acceptability but they were assured that if not now, more opportunities would come adding that those qualified should use their WAEC/NECO or its equivalent to secure the job first.
The applicants were told to hand in evidence of being registered to office of the Secretaries to the Local government who would onward get them to the State.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
