The Nigerian Army has charged junior commanders to embrace professionalism in tackling the menace of insecurity in the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, gave the charge on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition held at Headquarters of 32 Artillery Brigade 1, Owena Cantonment, Akure, Ondo state.
Speaking on the competition, the GOC explained that it was designed to improve the leadership qualities of junior commanders as well as challenge their initiative and prepare them for higher responsibilities.
According to him, the desired end result is to enhance the junior commanders’ understanding, interpretation and application of all aspects of the competition.
He challenged the participants to effectively apply the knowledge they have gained in the course of the training in preparation for the competition and in future endeavours.
“You should also ensure that you apply that even after you have left here. The essence is that after this competition you will be better officers”, the GOC said, reiterating that training and retaining of NA personnel is necessary to prepare and develop tactics, techniques and procedures to adequately deal with evolving security challenges.
He charged the officers in the participating formations to sustain the tempo and ensure that they keep training as it is in keeping with one of the pillars of the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
While reiterating his commitment to ensuring and discharging his responsibility in line with the command philosophy of the COAS, Onubogu thanked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, community leaders and other stakeholders for the support given the NA in discharging their constitutional roles in the state.
Six formations participated in the competition: 4 Brigade, Benin City; 12 Brigade, Lokoja; 22 Brigade, Ilorin; 32 Brigade, Akure, 42 Engineer Brigade, Ibadan and 2 Division Garrison, Ibadan.
4 Brigade, Benin City came first in the competition, followed by 42 Engineer Brigade, while 12 Brigade, Lokoja came third in the keenly contested tug of war competition.
The heads of other sister security agencies present at the competition included the state Commissioner of Police, DSS, representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Federal Fire Service.
