Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) has lauded his successor, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for promoting discipline and professionalism among personnel of the Nigerian Army since assumption of office.
Ihejirika gave this commendation at Onu Ibina Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of 2018 COMBAT race Sports Festival of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.
The former COAS, who apparently speaking from his experience while in office also called on Buratai and General Officer Commanding (GOC) various army divisions across the country not to relent, but to keep the tempo of securing the country going in spite of the constraints and challenges which they might be facing while performing their task.
He added that he is happy with the training army personnel have received since Buratai took over the leadership of the Nigerian army.
“I am happy with the level of training that is ongoing across the Nigerian army and I am noting in particular that sports competitions like this promotes the e-spirit d corps across the army, particularly in the areas of army physical capabilities as we witnessed this morning.
“I understand that this festival is part of a larger Nigerian army sports festival planned for a later date. Today, am a witness to the zeal and commitment demonstrated by the GOC, his commander and all the participants. It is also to note that since the Chief of Army Staff directed divisions to embark on this festival, 82 Div is the first to undertake the programme.
“I want to commend the COAS for keeping faith with his vision of the Nigerian Army which he expressed from the time he took over; to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of his constitutional roles.
“This festival, no doubt is aimed at no doubt, a lot of laudable objectives. To enable the GOC and his commanders assess the quality of training and sportsmanship in their various commands, to promote e-spirit d corps and to identify talents who will be representing the division and indeed, the army in larger competitions.
“I am particularly happy with the involvement of the host communities because in this way, civil-military cooperation is engendered. I therefore urged the participants to make use of the opportunities offered by this sports competition. I also want to encourage the COAS and indeed all the GOC’s to keep the tempo going in spite of all constraints,” Ihejirika admonished.
In his speech, the GOC 82 Division, Enugu, Enugu State, Major General Emmanuel Kabuk while thanking the COAS for his initiatives of introducing the sporting competition disclosed that apart from the 10kilometer race, the soldiers would be participating in a 21km race; all in an effort to test the physical fitness of the soldiers and also to promote oneness among the commands under his Division.
According to him, it is expected that the soldiers after participating in the exercise would be physically and mentally fit to tackle any form of insecurity in their Areas of Operation (AO) and other parts of the country where their services may be so required.
The participating commands were 13Brigade Calabar, 14Brigade Ohafia, 34 Artillery, Obinze, 82 Division Garrison, Enugu.
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At the end of the exercise, 82 Division Garrison emerged champions of the exercise that attracted the presence of traditional rulers and chairman of Bende LGA.
