81 Division Garrison, Dodan Barracks, Lagos over the weekend emerged as the champion in the 81 Division, Nigerian Army 2023 Corporal and below competition.
The competition hosted by the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, kicked off on Tuesday, April 12, 2023, with the Drill competition as part of the opening ceremony at the Brigade’s Parade Ground.
The annual competition had four formations participating which included 81 Division Garrison, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, 45 Engineer Brigade, and 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta, all from 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
The event competed for included Weapon Handling, Combat Swimming, Obstacle Crossing, and Map Reading/Navigation amongst others.
The Special Guest of Honour, who is the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Obinna Ajunwa, represented by the 81 Division Training Officer, Brigadier General Oluwale Davies said the competition is aimed at improving sportsmanship amongst the Corporal and below of the Division in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Vision which is “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions Within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.
The GOC expressed satisfaction with the high level of organisation of the competition and urged the participants to always keep fit and take every training exercise seriously, adding that “it is the best welfare a soldier can receive.”
To clinch the trophy, the 81 Division Garrison had 460 points followed by the 35 Artillery Brigade in the Second position while the third position went to the 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, and the 45 Engineer Brigade grabbed the Wooden spoon in the fourth position.
Earlier, during the opening ceremony, the Chief host, Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, Brig Gen Mohammed Tajudeen Aminu urged the participants to put in their best and requested that the Chief Umpires be neutral and give all competitors equal opportunities.
The Chief of Staff, 35 Artillery Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel DO Igwilo, in his vote of thanks, commended the participants for their display and high competitive spirit during the competition, reminding the formation that came last to put in more effort in subsequent competitions.
