BENIN CITY: The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged the full support of his administration for the ongoing nationwide recruitment screening exercise of the Nigeria Police Force in the state, while urging eligible youths across Edo to seize the opportunity to join the force.
The governor gave the pledge on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Police Service Commission (PSC) on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.
The delegation was led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, John Paul Echeta, from the Force Headquarters and Barrister Akoho of the Police Service Commission.
Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; and other senior government officials.
Speaking during the meeting, Okpebholo assured the visiting team that the state government would immediately intensify public awareness through multiple media platforms to ensure that qualified Edo youths participate in the ongoing recruitment screening.
The governor noted that the low turnout of applicants recorded so far could be attributed largely to inadequate awareness of the exercise.
“Let me assure you that we will begin creating awareness immediately. We will deploy our media platforms to inform our people that the recruitment team is in the state. Many of them may not even be aware that the exercise is ongoing,” he said.
Okpebholo recalled that a similar situation occurred during a previous military recruitment exercise in the state when many potential applicants missed the opportunity due to lack of adequate information.
He expressed optimism that with proper sensitization and public awareness, more Edo youths would take advantage of the recruitment process, especially given the six-week duration of the screening exercise.
“Six weeks is enough time for us to mobilise our youths to participate. Once awareness is created, the turnout will definitely improve,” the governor added.
The governor also appealed to members of the recruitment team to consider the challenges faced by prospective applicants who may not have been able to complete the online registration process, particularly those living in rural communities with limited internet access.
“There may be people who are genuinely interested, but could not register online, especially those in remote villages where internet access is poor. When awareness improves and they come forward, it would be helpful if consideration can be given to such applicants so they can still be examined,” he said.
Okpebholo further commended the Federal Government for increasing the number of recruits into the Nigeria Police Force from 30,000 to 50,000, describing the decision as a significant step toward strengthening security architecture across the country.
He stressed that effective policing remains critical to the protection of communities and maintenance of law and order, noting that recruiting youths from within local communities would enhance policing because such personnel understand the terrain and the people better.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Deputy Commissioner of Police John Paul Echeta, said the police team would remain in Edo State for six weeks to screen applicants as part of the nationwide recruitment exercise being conducted jointly by the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission.
Echeta, however, expressed concern over the low turnout of applicants in the state and appealed to both the Edo State Government and the media to help mobilise and encourage eligible youths to participate in the exercise.
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo also received the leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Edo State Hospital Management Chapter, led by its chairman, Dr. Dave Ekpefan.
Ekpefan commended the governor for what he described as ongoing efforts to revitalise secondary and primary healthcare facilities across Edo State.
