By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Lagos State former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that he made an error while calling for 50 million youths to be drafted into the Nigerian Army in a bid to tackle the nation’s insecurity.
In a communique by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the former governor stated on Tuesday that contrary to comments made at the colloquium in Kano State where his 69th birthday was celebrated, the intended recommendation was to have fifty thousand (50,000) youths recruited into various national security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.
“Asiwaju seeks the expansion of security personnel by 50,000 for the armed forces, not the 50 million that was mentioned in error.
“It was an accidental verbal mistake of which we all commit from time to time especially when reciting a series of large numerical figures.
“He did not mean 50 million, which is almost a quarter of our total population.
The crucial matter is that Asiwaju rightly observed that such strong recruitment would serve the twin-purpose of helping to tackle unemployment while at the same time enhancing the security of every Nigerian.
“Please forgive any confusion due to this innocent error. The most vital thing is that he set forth a wise and timely approach that would help us face two of today’s stiffest challenges.
“It is in the spirit that we hope you view and assess his proposal for it seeks to provide a way for more youths to participate in building a greater, safer, and more prosperous country,” Rahman’s communique read in part.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Monday asked the Federal Government to recruit 50 million youths into the Nigerian Army in a bid to stem the tides of insurgency in the country.
Addressing guests at the 12th colloquium organised in his honour, the Asiwaju stated that the recruitment move will help restore peace within troubled regions and stop miscreants from recruiting young people to do their biddings.
However, the APC stalwart in his latest statement said that the intended counsel was not to have 50 million youths recruited into the army but to have five million young people drafted into various sectors, a move that will expedite growth and progress in the nation.
The statement on Tuesday also added that the APC national leader believes the more job opportunities are presented to youths, the less some of them will be tempted to delve into illegal and dangerous activities.
As part of this overall approach, Tinubu said that eligible youths should be recruited into the armed forces, police, and other security agencies to augment the functional capacity of Nigeria’s security apparatus, thus ensuring the better security and safety of the people.
The 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium marking Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s birthday focused on the important theme of national cohesion during these challenging times.
This was the first time the colloquium was held in Kano.