…AS GOC EMPHASIZES PURPOSEFUL TRAINING IN MILITARY PROFESSION
By Okosun Dennis
The 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, under the Command of Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi, has won the 81 Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below competition 2024.
The five-day event hosted by the Brigade came to its climax on Friday, 19th April 2024, with Physical Fitness Obstacle Crossing.
On the final day, 9 Brigade came 1st with a cumulative points of 363.96; while 81 Division Garrison clinched 2nd position with 316.4 points; 45 Engineering Brigade, Dodan Barracks, Obalende, emerged in 3rd position with 294.3 points while the 4th position went to 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala-Abeokuta with 258.82 points and was awarded the Wooden Spoon.
The Corporal and below competition, which is aimed at enhancing the proficiency of troops and preparing them for higher responsibilities, began at the 9 Brigade Parade Ground on Tuesday and was rounded off on Friday at the Tukur Buratai Sports Complex, Ikeja Cantonment.
In his closing remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Mohamed Usman, while commending the participants for their performances, observed that what culminated in the various successes recorded were borne out of “hard work, discipline and resourcefulness put in at various levels of preparation.
The GOC, who was represented by the 81 Division Chief Training Officer, Brig Gen Oluwole Davies, added that “purposeful training is the bedrock of military professionalism”. He stressed that it would serve as “the catalyst” to what was witnessed during the competition.
He reminded the soldiers that they must continue to train to develop the required capability to handle every challenge thrown at them by the current security dynamics, adding that the just concluded competition is not only timely but key.
“In the last four days, we have witnessed passion, doggedness, dexterity, skills, and professionalism by all the participants for the 81 Division inter-brigade Corporal and below competition.
While encouraging both the winners and losers not to rest on their oars but aspire for greater glory and winning laurels, Maj Gen Usman implored them to start preparation now for future competitions.
He called on all the participating formations to take note of the lessons, observations as well as new skills brought out during the competition to add value to training and operations within the division.
On that note, “I declare the 81 Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below Competition closed,” Gen Usman remarked.
In an interview with the 9 Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Adegoke Adetuyi, he expressed joy and satisfaction for hosting and winning the competition in grand style.
The elated Commander explained that winning the competition wasn’t a fluke. However, it was also a wake-up call to upscale their training to sustain the tempo and ensure that the historic records of victory were kept and sustained.
Adding that the secret of his success is training, reiterated that “Once you train very well, as often said in military parlance: ‘When you train well during peacetime, you will bleed less during the war,x played out. We would continue to upscale our training.
“The essence of this competition is not just to compete for the position but to train the men so that they will be proficient in their Constitutional role which is to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. All we have done is to ensure that the men are proficient in their jobs and that is what we will continue to do.
“Every part of the competition has showcased the training our men, who are of the rank of Corporal and below went through. You could see that since the competition was flagged off, we competed in all aspects and did excellently well leading to becoming the overall champion.
Brig Gen Adetuyi emphasized the indispensability of drill, which is a test and practice of fitness, regimentation, and also teamwork. “We came 2nd in the Drill. Before this final closing ceremony today, our men were also tested in Obstacle Crossing. It showed teamwork, endurance, and the competence of the troops in the crossing of various apparatus.
“It’s a delight for me to have hosted and won. It is a thing of joy for the troops to have committed their time to prepare and win. I want to use the opportunity to thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for his Leadership role and support and appreciate the GOC, 81 Division, Major General Mohamed Usman for deeming 9 Brigade Ikeja Cantonment fit to host this particular competition.
Earlier, the representatives of the GOC, Brig Gen Oluwole Davies, who was received at the Quarter Guards, proceeded to the starting point where he flagged off the Physical Fitness Obstacle Crossing competition.
The Chief Umpire, Lt Col Olalekan Bamiteko expressed joy for the opportunity, adding that though there were challenges, lessons have been learnt that would advance their course in subsequent competitions.
Some participants who distinguished themselves in various fields and performed exceedingly well during the competition in Weapon Handling; Combat Swimming; Map Reading and Communication; Drill and Physical Fitness Obstacle Crossing Exercise were mentioned for recognition.
Present at the closing ceremony were representatives of the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Nigerian Airforce, Ikeja Base, Deputy Comptroller General, Customs, Hadison, the 9 Brigade Garrison Commander, Lt Col I. Galadima, the 9 Brigade Chairperson of Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and a retinue of members and the Brigade Commanders of all the formations that participated.
Inter-Brigade Corporal and below competition is an annual event held at the divisional level.
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