N’Assembly Considers Bill To Make ‘Man O’War’ Recruitment Pool For Military, Security Personnel

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

The two chambers of the National Assembly are currently considering a bill to establish an agency that would make the Man O’War, the pool where the Nigerian Armed Forces, security and paramilitary institutions would be recruiting their personnel.

The proposed legislation, according to the Director General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Adesoji Eniade, has passed first reading in both chambers of the federal parliament.

Eniade stated this while addressing journalists at the sidelines of the Second National Commanders’ Conference to commemorate the United Nations International Volunteer Day Celebration with the theme, ‘Positioned for Impact Championing Volunteering for a resilient safer schools’.

He explained that with the approval of the bill, the Man O’War will serve as an agency that would be training all the personnel for the security and military agencies.

According to him, “Presently, we have a bill in the National Assembly. It has enjoyed the first reading, awaiting the second reading. 

“It was sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development. The bill will further give Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre and Man o War, more muscle, more strength and legal bite, that legal strength to do more, you know, for the betterment of the youth population. 

“That is why we say it should be a pool for recruitment of officers into the security agencies. They are already prepared.

“That is the reason why the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre is strategically positioned in the Ministry of Youth Development.” 

In his speech on the occasion, the National Commandant of the Man O’War, Mr. Gbenga Adedamola, said the group stands out as a beacon of hope and transformation.

He said Man O’War, founded in 1951, is the group that binds communities, educators and stakeholders together in a shared mission to protect children and empower the next generation. 

“Through initiatives like the Safe School Programme, the Man O’War Nigeria has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that schools are an environment of peace, security and learning.

“Recent events have underpinned the vulnerabilities within our school system, ranging from insecurity to natural disasters. 

“Addressing these require innovation, creativity, collaboration and unwavering commitment of every Nigerian. 

“I therefore call on all stakeholders, educators, parents, community leaders, corporate organisations, government institutions, social agencies to work collaboratively with Man O’War Nigeria.

“Together, we can build a system and structure that will not only address immediate risks, but also foster long-term resilience,” Adedamola said.