The Senator, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has said that the South West zone of the country has the lowest rate of enlistment in the military and the Police Force.
Daniel, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, stated this while featuring on a programme tagged ‘Dialogue With Journalists’, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, in Abeokuta.
He appealed to parents to allow their children to join the forces.
The lawmaker, a former governor of the State, said the military service, once labelled as a job for ‘miscreants’ in the 60s and 70s, has produced leaders who have significantly contributed to the nation’s politics and economy.
“As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Navy, I have seen firsthand our people’s lackadaisical approach to enlistment into this noble service”, he said.
“A lot of positive things are happening in the Nigeria Navy on a daily basis, and I want to urge parents to stop discouraging their wards from joining the military and paramilitary services.
Daniel said he has sponsored eleven, since he got to the red chambers of the National Assembly last year, stressing that the bills are currently at different stages at the National Assembly.
Among the bills he listed were the South West Development Commission Bill, Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, Terminal illness Trust Bill, Media Practitioners Registration Council, Hospices Establishment Bill, and Constitution of the Federal Of Nigeria Birthright Bill.
He described the South West Development Commission bill which is at the second reading, as one if passed and assented to by the President would further boost the economy of the South West to enviable heights.
He also stated that over 3,000 people have benefitted from various empowerment schemes and medical initiatives programmes which included free eye treatment, provision of glasses, training and tractors to farmers, provision of grants and loans to traders, market women and provision of sewing machines and working tools to artisans.
