The Lagos State Government has directed 57 Secretaries to Local Governments (SLGs) to mobilise 5,700 youths for ongoing military recruitment.

Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), gave the directive in Lagos.

She spoke at a meeting with the 57 SLGs, directing each secretary to mobilise 100 eligible candidates.

Salu-Hundeyin said the directive would help Lagos meet its military recruitment quota.

She noted that the state had consistently fallen short of its allocation in spite of recent improvements.

Salu-Hundeyin said Lagos was allocated a quota of 420 candidates, adding that the state must intensify efforts to meet the target.

She urged the SLGs to mobilise youths aged between 18 and 26 from their respective local government areas.

“If each secretary brings at least 100 candidates, there is no way we won’t meet 400,” the SSG said.

She said the meeting also focused on security, forthcoming elections and measures to maintain peace across the state.

She said particular attention was being given to maintaining peace during the ember months.

Salu-Hundeyin urged youths to shun thuggery and violence during the elections, stressing the need for peaceful polls.

“Election is not war. It is your right to determine who should govern you, and you don’t need violence,” she said.

The SSG also urged residents to adopt the principle of “see something, say something”.

She advised residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

Salu-Hundeyin said the SLGs served as the coordinating link between government and the grassroots.

She said they had a responsibility to monitor government policies and escalate issues requiring state-level intervention.

Also speaking, Mr Kunle Olambiwonnu, Chairman, Lagos State Body of Secretaries to Local Governments, assured the government of compliance.

“As chairman, I assure the state and all stakeholders that all SLGs will comply and live up to expectations,” Olambiwonnu said.

He said the secretaries would sensitise community leaders, including Baales, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Community Development Associations (CDAs).

Olambiwonnu said the sensitisation would encourage eligible youths to participate in the recruitment exercise.

“We want to sensitise all community leaders, the Baales, CDCs and CDAs, to see the importance of getting their children registered,” he said.

He said the sensitisation would also address concerns among parents and youths about military service.

Olambiwonnu said some parents and youths believed joining the military meant being sent to the battlefield.

He said the meeting was part of periodic engagements between the 57 SLGs and the SSG.

He said the meetings enabled them to deliberate on governance and security issues affecting communities.