My Call For 50m Youths Recruitment ‘Accidental Verbal Mistake’ – Tinubu

Former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu erroneously
mentioned the need for the recruitment of 50 million youths into
the Army, on Monday, his media aide, Tunde Rahman has said.

This explanation comes on the heels of questions raised by some
Nigerians over the 50 million figure quoted by Tinubu during the
12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held in Kano on Monday.

Describing the quoting of 50 million by Tinubu as an “accidental
verbal mistake” and “an innocent error”, Rahman, in a statement
released on Tuesday, said Tinubu meant to say 50,000.

However, the statement asked that attention be given to the
imperativeness of recruiting youths into the Armed Forces to
augment the functional capacity of the nation’s security
apparatus.

Rahman added that Tinubu, at the event, also advocated for the
urgent need for the recruitment of five million youths under a
combined employment and national security policy.

Overall, the statement noted that Tinubu’s position was that the
creation of more job opportunities for the youth will reduce their
inclination towards illegal and dangerous activities.

The statement read: “Asiwaju seeks the expansion of security
personnel by 50,000 for the Armed Forces not the 50 million that
was mentioned in error. It was an accidental verbal mistake of
which we all commit from time to time especially when reciting a
series of large numerical figures.

“He did not mean 50million, which is almost a quarter of our
total population.

“The crucial matter is that Asiwaju rightly observed that such
strong recruitment would serve the twin-purpose of helping to
tackle unemployment while at the same time enhancing the security
of every Nigerian.

“Please forgive any confusion due to this innocent error. The
most vital thing is that he set forth a wise and timely approach
that would help us face two of today’s stiffest challenges. It is
in the spirit that we hope you view and assess his proposal for it
seeks to provide a way for more youths to participate in building a
greater, safer and more prosperous country.

“Speaking at the event, Asiwaju Tinubu canvassed the urgent need
to combine employment and national security policy by the
recruitment of five million youths in all aspects of
nation-building, ranging from infrastructural development to
agricultural modernization.

“He believes that the more job opportunities are presented to
our youths the less some of them will be tempted into illegal and
dangerous activities.

“As part of this overall approach, he believes that eligible
youths should be recruited into the armed forces, police and other
security agencies to augment the functional capacity of our
security apparatus thus ensuring the better security and safety of
our people.”

Former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu erroneously
mentioned the need for the recruitment of 50 million youths into
the Army, on Monday, his media aide, Tunde Rahman has said.

This explanation comes on the heels of questions raised by some
Nigerians over the 50 million figure quoted by Tinubu during the
12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held in Kano on Monday.

Describing the quoting of 50 million by Tinubu as an “accidental
verbal mistake” and “an innocent error”, Rahman, in a statement
released on Tuesday, said Tinubu meant to say 50,000.

However, the statement asked that attention be given to the
imperativeness of recruiting youths into the Armed Forces to
augment the functional capacity of the nation’s security
apparatus.

Rahman added that Tinubu, at the event, also advocated for the
urgent need for the recruitment of five million youths under a
combined employment and national security policy.

Overall, the statement noted that Tinubu’s position was that the
creation of more job opportunities for the youth will reduce their
inclination towards illegal and dangerous activities.

The statement read: “Asiwaju seeks the expansion of security
personnel by 50,000 for the Armed Forces not the 50 million that
was mentioned in error. It was an accidental verbal mistake of
which we all commit from time to time especially when reciting a
series of large numerical figures.

“He did not mean 50million, which is almost a quarter of our
total population.

“The crucial matter is that Asiwaju rightly observed that such
strong recruitment would serve the twin-purpose of helping to
tackle unemployment while at the same time enhancing the security
of every Nigerian.

“Please forgive any confusion due to this innocent error. The
most vital thing is that he set forth a wise and timely approach
that would help us face two of today’s stiffest challenges. It is
in the spirit that we hope you view and assess his proposal for it
seeks to provide a way for more youths to participate in building a
greater, safer and more prosperous country.

“Speaking at the event, Asiwaju Tinubu canvassed the urgent need
to combine employment and national security policy by the
recruitment of five million youths in all aspects of
nation-building, ranging from infrastructural development to
agricultural modernization.

“He believes that the more job opportunities are presented to
our youths the less some of them will be tempted into illegal and
dangerous activities.

“As part of this overall approach, he believes that eligible
youths should be recruited into the armed forces, police and other
security agencies to augment the functional capacity of our
security apparatus thus ensuring the better security and safety of
our people.”