No fewer than 3878 recruits of the 77 Regular Recruits Intake of the Nigerian Army on Thursday took the oath of allegiance as they were formally enlisted into the service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the oath was administered by the Chief Imam and the Chaplain of Chindit Cantonment at the Army Depot Parade Ground, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, the Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Victor Okwudili-Ezugwu charged the recruits to be good ambassadors of the Depot and the Nigerian Army wherever they may be posted to serve.
Okwudili-Ezugwu noted with satisfaction that the number of casualties during the training had drastically reduced due to decentralisation of screening of recruits to state levels instead of the zonal screening exercise.
“The casualty is low because we have reverted to the states recruitment system, where each and every able-bodied potential recruit goes to his state of origin.
“We have set up officers and teams to go to various states to screen them out. It used to be a zonal screening, where the six geopolitical zones, all the states under them come together and were screened and selected.
“So, the cumbersome nature, the rowdy nature, the confusing and the large number to manage really didn’t afford us time to do proper screening but with this decentralisation, it gives us enough time to scream them very well.
“And when you screen very well, you will have less casualty in terms of the number of people who forge certificates, the number of people who have criminal cases, you will be able to take it down,” he noted.
Addressing the soldiers earlier, the Commandant congratulated and encouraged them to maintain high level of selflessness, patriotism and dedication to duty.
“I Maj-Gen. V. O. Ezugwu, Commandant Depot Nigerian Army herby attest that the 3870 recruits on parade here have successfully undergone the mandatory six months Nigerian Army intensive regular training in Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
“And they have met the standards required to qualify as soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
“On behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, I hereby attest that you are all found worthy in character, learning and conduct to be enlisted as soldiers of the Nigerian Army this day, Thursday, 25th October 2018, congratulations.”
The commandant charged them to do everything possible to protect Nigeria as a nation using their sweat, strength and blood.
“To you young soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I command you to go forth and diligently protect our dear nation Nigeria with your sweat, strength and your blood and to go wherever ordered to defend our unity by land, sea or air with all your skills as professional soldiers.
“No retreat, no surrender, one for all, standby for one, no God no glory, Nigerian Army pride of the nation, God be with you all. Congratulations.
“With this, you are formally enlisted into the army today, but you still have one whole day, that is tomorrow, between you and your becoming a full fledged soldier of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Okwudili-Ezugwu also advised them to stay away from anything ordered them, keep away from any form of indiscipline, and any regrettable act.
The commandant urged them to stay within the barrack in order not to put themselves in a situation where they would run into problems.
“It will be our desire to see each and every one of you here finish your training here on Saturday.”
He lauded the efforts of the instructors, company commanders, the headquarters staff, commander recruits centre, the chief instructor, and the management team for working hard to bring the recruits up to such point as to begin their carrier in the Nigerian Army.
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