By Okosun Dennis
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Major General Umar Thema Musa has said that the three days of Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned officers Inter-Division Competitions were tailored to enhance the fighting efficiency and performance of troops in the field and to tackle the current security challenges in the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Lt Gen Yusuf Buratai (retd) Sports Complex, Ikeja Cantonment, the venue of the event, on Thursday, the GOC who was represented by the Chief of Staff, 81 Division, Brigadier General Ismail Oloyede expressed satisfaction with the high level of competitiveness among the teams.
The competition which was organised for Brigades under the 81 Division was for Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the Division.
Gen Musa said, “I am impressed with the military bearing, stamina, and endurance exhibited by you during the competition. The competitive spirit of sportsmanship exhibited in the last three days is commendable.
“From comments of judges and umpires, it is evident that various formations made commendable efforts at preparing their various teams for this competition.
“The essence of this competition is to enhance your fighting efficiency and performance in the field with a view to preparing you for the current Security challenges in the country.
“Training is the bedrock of any fighting force and it is believed that the training you have gathered today will assist you to improve your leadership traits, promote esprit de corps and boost morale.
“It is better to sweat during peacetime and bleed less during the war. This year’s competition has proved the benefit of good training and the Division will continue to implement its training schedule in line with Army headquarters training directives.
Gen Musa noted that the training competition was one of the series of competitions for the year soldiers and officers would be exposed to prepare them for the future.
While expressing his joy and satisfaction, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, the host of the competition, Brig-Gen Isong Akpaumontia reemphasized the efficacy of training and retraining, which he said was responsible for his brigade defeating other brigades to emerge as the overall best in the competition.
On the protection of the lives and properties of Lagosians, the Commander assured that within the ambits of the law, they would continue to carry out their primary duties.
“It has always been our goal to secure the lives of Lagosians as much as possible. We would continue to engage in training and retraining to be fit, capable and combat ready,” Brig Gen Akpaumontia reemphasized.
The Chief Umpire of the Competition, Colonel Okezim Omeni who announced the final result declared 9 Brigade as the overall winner of the competition with 340 points, while 35 Artillery Brigade came second position with 320 points. 81 Division Garrison and 45 Engineer Brigade came third position with 260 points and 45 Engineer Brigade came last position with 200 points.
Trophies were also presented to Sergeant Kingsley Agbaje of the 35 Artillery Brigade as the best Getaway Man, and Sergeant Gloria Uzoefune as the best firer.
Particularly, in the Obstacle Crossing Competition which held all the spectators and invited guests spellbound with sundry cheers and clappings for all the participating brigades, the overall winner also went to 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ikeja with a completion time of 1 hour 13 minutes to finish the rigorous exercises.
Present at the occasion were the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade Brig Gen Isa Abdullahi, Commander Nigerian Army Tailoring Factory Yaba, Brig-Gen Victor Beryo, and the 81 Division Training Officer, Brigadier General Shuaibu Nuhu.
Others were dignitaries from the Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Man O’ War, civilians, and other senior officers of the Nigerian Army.
Areas competed for included Weapon handling, Combat swimming, Map reading, and Navigation exercises. Others were physical fitness exercises and Obstacle Crossing.
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