The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. UT Musa, on Monday charged soldiers on enhanced and qualitative training to put an end to security challenges in the country.
Musa gave the charge during the opening ceremony of the Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below Competition held at 243 Recce-Batallion, Barracks Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos.
The GOC, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Ogun, said training remained a fundamental precursor for every battle winning Army.
“This is premised on the fact that troops performance in peace and war is a direct result of the quality of training.
“Therefore, training remains a veritable tool that guarantees enhanced military professionalism.
“Borrowing from the words Field Marshal Montgomery, who stated that “the more soldiers sweat in peace time through training, the less blood they shed in war.
“Hence, the importance of training cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Musa said the competition was in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen. F. Yahaya’s vision which is “to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment in the defence of Nigeria.”
He thanked the COAS for providing an enabling environment as well as necessary support for the exercise.
Brig. -Gen. Ibrahim Abdullahi of Artillery Brigade, Ogun state representing GOC 81 Division Nigerian Army Maj.-Gen. UT Musa delivering his speech in Badagry.
The GOC also commended the Commanding Officer, 243 Recce-Batallion, Barracks Ibereko, Col. MA Abba, for putting in place adequate arrangements for hosting the competition.
Musa said the event was aimed at improving junior leadership traits, organisational ability and to inculcate initiative in the stipulated rank bracket of Non-Commissioned Officers in the division.
He noted that some events had been been outlined to test competing formations within the division.
“Some of these events which would be rigorously competed for within the next four days include; drilling, weapon handling, map reading, combat swimming and obstacle crossing,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 300 soldiers from four formations of Nigerian Army we’re particip9 in the four-day training.
The formations include: 81 Division Garrison, 9 Brigade, 35 Artillery Brigade, 45 Engineer Brigade of Nigerian Army.
 81 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. UT Musa, on Monday charged soldiers on enhanced and qualitative training to put an end to security challenges in the country.){kind=link}