In a remarkable display of courage and proficiency, troops of the Nigerian Army exhibited gallantry at the one-week 3 Division Corporal and Below Competition 2024, culminating in the presentation of accolades to individuals and formations. The event took place at the 3 Division Physical Training Ground, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, located in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
Addressing the audience during the closing ceremony, Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), commended the participants for their exceptional demonstration of discipline, endurance, Esprit De corps, teamwork, and leadership qualities throughout the competition. Major General Abubakar emphasized that the purpose of the competition was to bolster the capacity of the troops in tackling emerging security challenges, with a keen focus on continuous training to ensure their effectiveness.
Representing the GOC/Commander OPSH, Brigadier General AU Gumel, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 3 Division, praised the soldiers for their performance and urged them to utilize the skills acquired during the competition to effectively address any security threat that may arise. He underscored the significance of prompt responses to emerging threats while fulfilling their constitutional duties in collaboration with other security agencies, aligning with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy.
“Training forms the erise of It is for this reason that’s training forms the crux of the COAS Command philosophy Which is ‘To have a well-trained, equippal, and highly motivated force in the discharge of our constitutional roles within a joint environment,'” stated General Abubakar.
He further emphasized the imperative need for consistent training amidst the prevailing insecurity in the country and globally, highlighting the competition’s focus on corporals and lower-ranked soldiers for swift responses to emerging threats in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies.
General Abubakar disclosed that the competition primarily emphasized operational training to enhance the troops’ combat readiness, physical fitness, marksmanship skills, combat swimming proficiency, obstacle-crossing techniques, and endurance across diverse terrains. He encouraged the participants to uphold the values of sportsmanship, cooperation, and resilience in their future endeavors.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Commander 3 Division Garrison, Lt Col AJ Hammadu commended the participants for their discipline and professional conduct throughout the competition. He lauded the unwavering support and guidance of the GOC/Commander OPSH, which contributed to the successful hosting of the competition.
In the culmination of the event, 3 Division Garrison emerged as the Champion, with 6 Brigade Jalingo and 43 Engineers Brigade Jos securing the second and third positions, respectively. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of awards and trophies to outstanding individuals and formations, followed by a group photograph capturing the spirit of camaraderie and achievement among the troops.
