By Suleiman Shehu
A senior Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Officer, Air Commodore Adeyemi Akinyimika, has advised Nigerian Army personnel to continue to improve on the way they handle their weapons and other skills.
Akinyimika, who is the Commander of 671 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Ibadan, on Thursday said such improvement was necessary as they progress and tackle Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAF officer spoke during the closing ceremony of the 2 Division Nigerian Army Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition 2023 in Ibadan.
Akinyimika, who was a Special Guest of Honor at the event, said: “It is imperative that the officers and men of Nigerian Army continue to improve and prepare themselves through qualitative training.
”This is in order to effectively discharge your constitutional role and address the country’s security challenges.”
He commended the competition’s participants for their zeal and the determination displayed during the competition to accomplish the desired result.
Akinyimika urged them not to rest on their oars in ridding the country of crime and criminality.
“Based on the briefing I received on the general conduct of the competition and, as expected, your skills in arms, weapons-handling and commendable marksmanship underscore your competence and professionalism.
“I therefore congratulate you on this commendable performance and urge you to keep improving on it as you progress in your career,” he said.
Akinyimika said the annual competition was designed to ascertain the combat-readiness of various formations and units in order to improve the physical fitness and leadership qualities of junior Commanders.
“It is my hope that the Division will continue to implement its training schedules in line with Army Headquarters’ training directives in order to achieve desired results,” he said.
In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army, expressed his appreciation of the division’s Garrison Commander.
”I also hail all the officers and men who contributed to the success of the competition,” he said.
Okoro, represented by the Commander, 42 Engineer Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Sebhil Adeyemo, also expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for providing the necessary logistics.
NAN reports that participants at the competition which started on Monday were drawn from various brigades and formations under the 2 Division of Nigerian Army.
The participants were from 4 Brigade Benin, 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin, 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, 42 Engineers Brigade Ibadan and 2 Division Garrison.
The six events competed for at the competition by the participants include: tug-of-war, combat swimming, map-reading, weapon-handling, obstacle-crossing and minor tactics.
The 2 Division Garison came first in the competition, while 32 Brigade Akure finished in second position, and the third position went to 22 Armoured Brigade.
NAN reports that prizes were awarded to best individual male and female participants in the competition. (NAN)