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Army Recruitment: Group decries unjust arrest of Kaduna candidates in Lagos

Army Recruitment: Group decries unjust arrest of Kaduna candidates in Lagos

The Youth Wing of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union have expressed strong disapproval of the arrest of four Kaduna youths residing in Lagos, who sought to join the Nigerian Army.

Quest Times reports that Isaac John, the union’s National Coordinator, in a statement on Friday, emphasized that Nigerian citizenship, as defined by the constitution, and the military’s enlistment criteria, do not include language or tribal factors like the ability to speak Yoruba.

The Lagos State Government had called for the arrest of six northern candidates participating in the Army recruitment, claiming to be Lagos indigenes.

A video surfaced showing these candidates asserting local government affiliations in Lagos to secure recruitment slots meant for Lagosians, triggering reactions from locals who felt disadvantaged.

In response, SOKAPU urged the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff to promptly investigate the matter. They appealed for the release of the arrested youths, emphasizing fair participation aligned with the principles for every Nigerian citizen.

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“These individuals, earnestly seeking enlistment in the Nigerian Army, faced unwarranted humiliation, denial, and even arrest during the state screening process as of the time of composing this statement.

“The reasons, as portrayed in the video, revolve around their inability to speak the Yoruba language and their non-citizenship status in Lagos, notwithstanding their longstanding domicile in the state.”

The group also called on the Kaduna State Government to establish a committee to prevent a recurrence.

In a separate report, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed a concerning revelation that 50% of pupils in the state struggled with basic English reading and simple mathematics after six years of primary school.

“50% of our children cannot solve simple subtraction challenges. What we found out in Enugu State is written large across our nation,” he said.

This was uncovered during a Baseline Assessment conducted in November 2023.

Onyia while giving his keynote address titled, “Smart Basic Education and the Future of Africa” at the quadrennial convention of the Old Boys Association of Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, on Thursday, highlighted the state government’s commitment to educational reform, integrating innovative technologies to meet global demands.

Governor Peter Mbah pledged to allocate 30% of the 2024 budget to the educational sector, emphasizing a determination to provide quality education for even the most underprivileged children in remote areas.

Army Recruitment: Group decries unjust arrest of Kaduna candidates in Lagos

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