We Must Desist From Spreading Myths About The Military – T.J. Abass To Lagos Youths [FULL SPEECH]

Otunba T.J. Abass, the Publisher of Eko Hot Blog, on Friday delivered an impassioned speech on Friday encouraging youth from Epe and across Lagos State to consider a career in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The sensitization event was organized by the Office of Hon. Wale Raji, Member of the House of Representatives for Epe Federal Constituency, in collaboration with Eko Hot Blog, to address the declining interest of Lagosians in military service and the need for local representation in national defense.

In his speech, Otunba Abass highlighted the importance of youth engagement in the armed forces as a way to contribute to national security and protect the community.

He addressed myths surrounding the military, urging the public to see it as a noble career that upholds the honor and safety of the nation. Below is the full speech delivered by Otunba T.J. Abass.

Full text of his speech as delivered by his representative, Damilare Abass below;

Epe kiths and kins, we have joined the rest of Nigeria every year to celebrate the Nigerian Armed Forces Day.
We have continued to pour money into security.

We must now pause to ask the difficult question:

What does all this mean for us if our voices are not heard in the very system designed to protect us?

Our kids aspire to be everything in life except soldiers.

There has been a pressing concern about the dwindling number of Lagosians in the Nigerian Armed Forces. This has been a recurring theme in public discourse.

Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government, recently, during a quarterly meeting with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ikeja, decried the low participation of our Indigenous youth in the current recruitment exercise.

Rasak Musbau recently addressed this shortfall in Independent News and The Nations, linking the underrepresentation of Lagos in the Nigerian Army to a mix of cultural factors, economic barriers, and limited exercise.

Lagos didn’t even fill the quota in the last Armed Forces recruitment.

This growing trend has set off alarm bells for stakeholders in Lagos State, including Epe leaders, who are committed to setting the scale straight.

Lagos’ underrepresentation in the Nigerian Armed Forces is beyond statistics; it is a missed beat in Lagos’ rhythm on the national stage, especially as non-indigenes increasingly occupy positions that should rightfully go to our local sons and daughters.

We have, therefore, decided to address this issue headlong, to x-ray the roots of our youths’ hesitations in taking up the arms and playing their roles in safeguarding our collective future; we are mobilizing Lagosians to step boldly into their rightful place in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and Epe will not fail to lead the charge.

Today’s event is particularly significant, as it marks the start of a movement that will help the Epe indigenes of Lagos State claim their place in the defence of our nation.

I am thrilled that this movement is gathering momentum and has attracted the support of our dedicated leaders: the member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Wale Raji, as well as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who both recognize the importance of our cause and have thrown their weights behind us.

The presence of all stakeholders here today signals their shared commitment, not just to acknowledge this issue but to actively engage in shaping solutions that will secure more seats in the Nigerian Army for Epe indigenes and Lagos State.

We are unreservedly grateful to the SSG, who pulled the plug on her scheduled trip to the United States to participate in this event.

This is a high demonstration of her unwavering commitment to seeing Lagos shine brightly in the national arena.

We must also raise a toast to Hon. Wale Raji, whose many transformative initiatives have given the Epe Federal Constituency a facelift since his assumption of office.

On his watch, this constituency’s economy has flourished all round. No wonder he earned a solidified status as the most accomplished and hardworking MHR in the history of our constituency.

We salute him for pulling off an event of this magnitude in such a short timeframe.

On this occasion, the profiler, too, deserves to be profiled. Over the years, Eko Hot Blog has tirelessly given Epe Federal Constituency the compelling media presence it deserves.

With colorful brushstrokes on golden Canvas, Eko Hot Blog has consistently painted magnificent portraits of Epe in the news.

Eko Hot Blog has continuously shone the light on Epe with every article, every piece of news, and every report that has been storied.

We have never missed an opportunity to put Epe on the map and in the hearts of people, and we will continue to tell the story of our community positively.

Toast to Eko Hot Blog!

Regarding the underrepresentation of Lagos in the Nigerian Army, we recognize the cornerstone position of security in Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs; therefore, we cannot play the backbencher in the national push for safety.

A Yoruba proverb reminds us that the destination of a community’s burden is at the doorstep of the man who refuses to share in the weight of the burden.

Lagos must step up in Nigeria’s security quest. Epe Federal Constituency must equally step up.

The color of the military is green; we must desist from painting it black for our children.

We must desist from spreading myths about the military, which have left many of our children regarding careers in the army as a death sentence instead of a badge of honor.

Tell the children that there is no greater act of patriotism than taking up arms and defending one’s nation.

Seeking opportunities in the Nigerian Army is a patriotic act that deserves recognition and support.

Military men of Epe descent must show others the way to the barracks.

Tell the congregants in your religious houses that the quest for protection is beyond reading Psalms and chanting “Bismillah.”

I will conclude by leaving you to reflect on this quote by Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”

Long Live Epe Federal Constituency!

Long Live Lagos State!
Long Live the Nigerian Armed Forces!

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

By Otunba T J Abass Publisher, Eko Hot Blog

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611