by crossriverwatch admin
The rate of unemployment amongst the youths of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states has again come to the fore with over five thousand youths battling to make a list of less than three hundred rating personnel needed in 2013 recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Navy.
crossriverwatch findings show that for five days running, thousands of applicants have besieged the headquarters of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Victory Command, Calabar close to the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium and the Cross River State House of Assembly, struggling to seal their fate with the military establishment in the ongoing recruitment exercise.
The applicants, who seemed obviously unconcerned about the rigorous tasks surrounding their enlistment, were seen struggling to 
One of the applicant who simply identified himself as Odey said the navy officers in charge of the recruitment have not been fair in dealing with them.
“I know that there is discipline here, and I equally prepared for the regimental activities, but a situation where female applicants and people with high power backing are favoured more than those of us who are ready to serve our father land is unacceptable”. He enthused.
Another applicant Sam Akpan, said “This is my third consecutive time of applying for this service without scaling through not because I didn’t meet up with the requirement but because I’m on my own. My prayer this time is for God to favour me. I’m 21, physically fit and tall, I’m sound and speak good English, my only but is that, I know nobody”.
Efforts to speak with the naval officers in- charge to know their mode of recruitment proved abortive as most of them that crossriverwatch approached for clarification declined comments saying they were not competent to comment on such matter.
follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch