The Nigerian Navy has said it is targeting 1,000 candidates in the next recruitment exercise beginning April 2, 2007 with the Niger Delta youths expected to top the list of applicants.
The Director of Naval Information, Captain O. C. Medani, said yesterday in a chat with newsmen that the Niger Delta youths were being targeted because they have the expertise in swimming and rowing, which the Navy was looking for.
He stressed that the force was looking for men and women of integrity and good character to pick the forms from April 2 to May 4, while recruitment will commence May 7.
The Naval spokesman said the reason for targeting the coastal area in the country was because they were the host communities for naval activities and was an opportunity to fulfill its community relations responsibility by reducing unemployment in the area.
“There are two reasons for targeting the Niger Delta youths, aside from Federal Government directives to employ them based on required qualifications, they are also the host communities for Naval activities. They also have the required skills and expertise (swimming and rowing) that we need. While you will spend time training candidates from other geo-political zones to acquire these skills, the Ijaw youths do not need any training. In 2006 alone, 650 of Ijaw youths were recruited through the special recruitment exercise”, he said.
Those that are being targeted are all categories of medical personnel, marine engineers, electrical, cooks, drivers, aircraft and automobile mechanics, chaplains, Imams clerical and administrative staff, journalists, educationists among others.
Mar292007