The Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, CFR has charged personnel of the Nigerian Army to accord greater attention to teamwork, professionalism and high level of discipline in discharging their constitutional mandate of protecting the Nation’s territorial integrity.
He lauded the personnel for their resilience, industrious disposition and dedication in their efforts to rid nation of insurgency that has posed serious security threat to Nigeria and the populace.

The Chief of Army Staff who was represented by the Commandant Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Maj. Gen. Tari-Timiye Gagariga made the disclosures on Friday 5th May, 2023 during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Nigerian Army Inter Formation Combat Company Cross Country Championship which held at the 3 Division Small Arm Range Miango Bassa LGA, Plateau State. He said the overall objective of the training is to equip the participants with the required skills and tactical capacity in combating insecurity.

The Championship brought together all the Division in the Country including the Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja who hotly contested to win the available medals.

The COAS commended all the Division’s Training Officers for the discipline they instilled in their personnel and also for their non-interference all through the competition.
He urged all the participants to internalize the lessons learnt throughout the training and to ensure same is domesticated across the Nation for greater efficiency and result driven Army.
According to him, the value of the training must be seen in play as they work towards containing the insecurity bedeviling the Nation.

He urged them to work assiduously to achieve the mission of having “a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.
While congratulating the winners, he admonished them to be magnanimous in victory and challenged those who didn’t win to improve and prepare to win in the future.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division who doubles as the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim lauded the participants, training officers and the judges for demonstrating professionalism and discipline during the competition.
He expressed satisfaction that the objective of the competition which is to equip the personnel with the required skills in carrying out their mandate is achieved.
He urged all division to ensure the lessons learnt are articulated to serve as guide.

The Executive Chairman of Bassa LGC, Hon. Stephen Igmala lauded the competition saying it will make the personnel better prepared to combat insecurity bedeviling the Nation.
He commended Operation Safe Haven for their efforts that has resulted to peace in the local government area.

The areas covered by the competition were; 5 Kilometers combat race, fitness test and 15 kilometers endurance race which saw 3 Division Rukuba Jos emerging winner of the Gold Medal with 75 points, 2 Division Ibadan Oyo State won the Silver Medal with 68 points and 6 Division Porthacourt Rivers State won the Bronze Medal with 64 points.

Private Ebenezer Joy of 3 Division was the winner of the Female 5 Kilometers combat race while Private Wakili of the Army Headquarters Garrison won the Male category.

Private Fabiyi Ojiyima of 3 Division Rukuba Jos emerged winner of the 15 kilometers Female category while Private Danlami won the Male category.

The event was attended by the Bra Ngwe Irigwe of Irigwe nation HRH Rev. Ronku Aka, heads of other military and paramilitary agencies in the State and the Executive Chairman of Bassa LGC and other Dignitaries.

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Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Tasks Personnel on Teamwork, Discipline and Professionalism