We’ve Not Stopped Training of Female Cadets, Says DHQ

Military holds exercise nationwide

Paul Obi in Abuja
Following reports that the Nigerian military has now proscribed the enrolment and training of female cadets in the military, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday  said it has not stopped the inclusion of female in its cadet training.
Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, explained that the report was disingenuous and meant to misinform the public.

He said: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a report being spread in the print and online media about stoppage of training female cadets in order to be commissioned as Regular Combatant officers into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“This is an act of disinformation to the public by mischievous individuals.
“The contents of all those publications are ill intended concoctions, not authentic and should therefore be disregarded outright.”

Enenche explained that the provision in the terms and conditions of service for female officers of the Nigerian military is that “they are eligible for all the types of commissions that are grantable to their male counterparts, which has not changed.
“This is for the information of the general public and female Nigerians in particular.”
Meanwhile, military, Para military and other security response agencies will only Saturday engage in a route march exercise nationwide.

Enenche explained that the exercise titled: ‘Together We Are’ is geared towards promoting physical fitness of the officers and men.
He added that the exercise is to further enhance ‘espirit de corps’ and harmony among members of the security response agencies and ensure unity of purpose in military engagement.

“The physical fitness of members of the security and response agencies is germane to the effectiveness of its members, especially in the face of contemporary security challenges in the country”
“The public is hereby notified that there will be movement of troops and other security agencies in the course of this exercise.”