Army GOC calls for physical and mental alertness

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigeria Army Headquarters, Enugu, Enugu State Major General Abubakar Maikobi has urged officers and soldiers under his command to ensure that they are physically fit and mentally alert if they want to successfully nip crime in the bud.

This is as he described constant training as veritable tool to winning the war on insecurity.

Maikobi stated this at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan parade ground while flagging off the 2019 82 Division Warrant Officers and Non-Commission Senior Officers competition holding at 14 Brigade Headquarter, Ohafia, Abia State.

The 82 Div GOC who was represented by Brigadier-General Sylvester Oloyede, the 82 Division Training Officer noted that it is only physical fit and mentally sound soldiers that can remain combat ready to defend the country and its citizens.

According to Maikobi, “training plays a vital role in every profession and that includes the military. The skills that you acquired for efficiency and effectiveness in conducting your operations are borne out of constant training.

“The warrant officers and Non-Senior Commission Officers competition is aimed at enhancing and improving physical fitness, leadership qualities, discipline, cooperation and espirit d corps amongst others in order to get you prepared for more challenging tasks and responsibilities.

“The training activities could not have been better organized at a time other than this when our dear country is faced with series of security challenges. It is hoped that you make the best out of this opportunity to enhance your capability in handling the task ahead.

“I employ all to apply the spirit of good sportsmanship and remain very discipline.

Earlier in his speech, the 14 Brigade Common, Brigadier-General Solomon Kumapayi stated that the competition is in line with the army headquarters forecast of events and in compliance with Headquarter 82Div training directives.

“The competition is one of the major trainings and activities conducted annually for this carder of soldiers and the competition is aimed at improving the leadership and organizational abilities with a view of preparing them for more challenging tasks and responsibilities in their chosen carrier.

“Training is said to be the bedrock for professionalism and as the same goes, we sweat more during trainings in order to bleed less during war.

“To achieve the Chief of Army staff’s vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, training must be accorded its rightful place as we are doing here today.

“Competing in this year’s Warrant Officers and Non-Commission senior Officers competition are the soldiers of Sergeant to Warrant Officers rank drawn from different formations; 13 brigade, 14 brigade, 34 Artillery Brigade and 82 Division garrison under the headquarter, 82 Div Nigerian Army.

“They will be competing in four different events; Drill competition, map reading, weapon handling, swimming and obstacle crossing.”

While thanking the GOC for counting the Brigade worthy to host the competition, Kumapayi charged the participants to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship while the competition lasted.