Soludo Says Negative Public Perceptions Discourage Youths From Joining Military

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo says the poor image of the military and other security agencies is one of the reasons young Nigerians stay away from enlisting.

He spoke on Friday at a memorial service in Awka for the late retired Lieutenant General Chikadibia Obiakor, held at the Alex Ekwueme Square. Soludo said the lives of officers like Obiakor could inspire young people to take up military service and other forms of national service.

The governor described Obiakor as an illustrious son of Anambra who brought honour to Nigeria through a distinguished military career and international peacekeeping work. “We have come to celebrate the life of one of our best,” he said. He added that a person’s greatest achievement is the positive impact made on their own community, and noted that Obiakor’s people were able to testify that he was good.

Soludo also urged community leaders and elders to stay close to their people and act as role models for the younger generation. He has raised the same worry before: at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day event in Awka, he lamented the low number of Anambra and South-East indigenes joining the Army and the Police.

Obiakor, who hailed from Awka South Local Government Area, died on May 27, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Zaria in 1951, he entered the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1971 and later served as a Military Adviser at the United Nations.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, sent condolences to the family and described Obiakor as a decorated veteran whose service brought honour to the Armed Forces. He was represented by Major General Tariweriye Gagariga, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre. Obiakor’s son, Nonso Obiakor, spoke about his father’s discipline and his commitment to peacekeeping and to humanity.

The service drew family members, senior military officers, government officials and other mourners.

Sources: Vanguard, ThisDay, PM News, NAN and Naija247news reports, October 9 to 11, 2026.