NIGERIAN ARMY: HAUSA, IGBO YORUBA LANGUAGE NOW COMPULSORY FOR RECRUITMENT IN THE ARMY.





FROM ODINAKA EZEOKA.
The Nigerian Army has handed down a one year deadline to its officers and soldiers to learn the three major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
This is even as the Army says ability to speak the three major Nigerian languages would now be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the service.
It has therefore called on prospective candidates willing to join the Army to learn Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues which is now a criteria for recruitment.
Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, who made this known in a statement, announcing the new policy, said ” The Nigerian Army has introduced a new Language Policy. The study of foreign and local languages is world-wide practice among armies, in which officers and soldiers are encouraged to be multi-lingual. “The Policy will foster espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to enhance information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding between militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to perform their duties professionally.
“It is to be noted that English remains the official language in the Nigerian Army. Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used during Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities or interrogation. Therefore all Nigerian Army personnel have been given one year to learn the three major Nigerian languages. Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages.
“The standard of proficiency to be attained is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will attract Language Allowance.
“The ability to speak the 3 major Nigerian languages will be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into the Nigerian Army. Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues.
“Before now, the Nigerian Army officially encouraged the learning of French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. French language is an assessed subject in some career courses and examinations for Nigerian Army personnel.
NIGERIAN ARMY: HAUSA, IGBO YORUBA LANGUAGE NOW COMPULSORY FOR RECRUITMENT IN THE ARMY. NIGERIAN ARMY: HAUSA, IGBO YORUBA LANGUAGE NOW COMPULSORY FOR RECRUITMENT IN THE ARMY. Reviewed by Unknown on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Rating: 5

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