WOs/SNCOs: 3-division inter brigade Army competition kicks off in Yola

The 3-division inter brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non Commission Officers (WOs/SNCOs) competition has kick-started at Gibson Jalo cantonment in Yola today.

Six brigades from the division including 6 brigade Jalingo, 23 brigade Yola, 33 artillery brigade Bauchi, 43 engineering brigade Jos, 53 signal brigade Jos and 3 division garrison Jos are participating for trophies in the competition.

Some of the events that will feature in the 4-day event include; skills/performances in drill, combat swimming, map reading, shooting/weapon handling and obstacle crossing.

In his welcome address, the GOC 3-division Nigerian Army, Major Gen. I.S Ali, said the competition is part of the series of Nigerian Army Training activities outlined for the year 2022.

Ali who was represented by Brigadier Gen. Aminu Mustapha Garba, the Brigade Commander of of 23 armoured brigade Yola, said, the objective of the competition is to train and practice own senior Non Commissioned Officers in Combat/physical fitness activities in order to adequately prepare them for the day to day operational tasks and counter/internal security challenges witnessed both within and outside the country.

“The essence is to ensure the entire division attains the desired level of operational readiness in fulfilment of the COAS vision which is to have a professional army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.

“The competition will span for the next four days showcasing participants’ skills/performances in drill, combat swimming, map reading, shooting/weapon handling and obstacle crossing,” he said.

In his keynote address, governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State lauded the military for their deligence and valiance in combating the myriads of security challenges bedevilling the country.

The governor who was represented by his chief of staff, Prof. Maxwell Gidado said, the competition is a welcome development considering the security challenges rocking the country adding that it will go a long way in keeping the personnel combat ready at all times.

“The training will foster esprit-de-corps, physical fitness and cultivate healthy rivalry between Nigerian Army formations in order to improve their organizational ability and the level of initiative among the warrant officers and senior Non Commissioned Officers within 3 division.

“I make bold to say that training enhances skills and proficiency among personnel that makes them combat ready for any given task.

“The leadership strength of any nation is in the ability of its military to protect its territorial integrity and support internal security. To achieve this significant role, it has become a norm for fighting forces all over the world to constantly train in order to maintain its combat readiness through periodic training in line with best practices,” he said.