The 9 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos, on Friday emerged winner of the 81 Division Inter-Brigade 2024 Combat Proficiency Competition.
The event, which held at the 243 Rece-Battalion of Nigerian Army, Ibereko, Badagry, saw 45 Engineering Battalion clinching the second position, while 35 Artillery Brigade took the third position.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four Brigades of the 81 Division Nigerian Army that participated in the competition includes: 81 Division Garrison, 9 Brigade, 45 Artillery Brigade and 35 Artillery Brigade.
NAN also reports that overall best for Free Hand Shooting went to Lt. O.J Okafoh, from 35 Artillery Brigade, Lt. A.H Yahyah of 81 Division Garrison won the overall best Swimming Competition, while the best female participant went to Lt. Charity Adeniyi of 81 Division Garrison.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Mijinyawa, said the professional outing showed a result of hard work, discipline and resourcefulness at various levels of preparations.
“There is no doubt that good training, which is the bedrock of military professionalism, showed what we have witnessed during the past days of this competition.
“To this end, we must continue to train ourselves and troops under our command both theoretically and practically to effectively handle the current security dynamics.
“The obstacle crossing completion of this morning revealed that the participating commissions and organisers made commendable efforts in preparing for this highly contested exercise,” he said.
Men of 81 Division of Nigerian Army during the Obstacle Crossing competition on Friday in Badagry
Mijinyawa, who was represented by Brig. Gen. R.O Agbi, Chief of Staff, said the score obtained by each formation showed that the objective of the competition had been achieved
“Therefore, it behooves on winners and losers not to rest on their oars and start preparing for future competitions.
“I enjoin all the participating formations and participants to take note of the lessons and observations brought out during the competition in order to add value to training and operations within the area of responsibility.
“Let me assure you that the Division will continue to pursue this training schedules in order to perfect apparent trainings and technics and aspire new ones.
“This is with a view to realising the Chief of Army Staff combat philosophy, which is to transform the Nigerian army into a well-trained equipped and highly motivated course.
“This is towards achieving our constitutional responsibility within the joint environment and areas of strength that will be consolidated with the formations that are excelled in the various events,” he said.
The GOC congratulated the formations that won the competitions and urged those that didn’t do well to strive harder and showcase a better outing in future competitions.
“I seize this opportunity to respectfully thank the Chief of Army Staff for his relentless support and leadership towards making this event a huge success.
“I also appreciate the presence of our other security agencies for their collaboration,” he said. (NAN)
