Fayemi seeks enrolment of more Ekiti indigenes into armed forces

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has advocated employment of more indigenes of the state as officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He, therefore, advised students and youths of Ekiti origin to develop interest in military, which he said, accommodates professionals of various fields.

Fayemi, who spoke yesterday when he received in audience a team from Defence Headquarters led by Brig.-Gen. Idowu Akinlawon, on advocacy visit to secondary schools and state university (EKSU) to stimulate students’ interest in developing careers in the military.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, said Ekiti State was lucky to have produced the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, who is the highest-ranking military officer in the land.

He said his administration would provide an enabling environment and support for the Defence Headquarters to facilitate the recruitment of commissioned officers of Ekiti origin into the nation’s Armed Forces.

Fayemi, however, urged parents not to panic in encouraging their wards to join the military, saying that they can become doctors, lawyers, engineers and pilots while still serving in the military.

The governor, who described his administration as gender-sensitive, also advocated recruitment of more young Ekiti women into the officers’ cadre of the military to give the womenfolk a sense of belonging.

Akinlawon said the CDS raised the team to conduct an advocacy and sensitisation tour of the South-West states to create awareness among the youths on the opportunities available in the military.

He said that many students and youths were not exposed to information they needed on modalities for joining any of the three arms of the military.