The Nigerian Army on Thursday, July 25, flagged off the 2024 edition of the Inter-Formation Platoon Combat Obstacle Crossing Competition aimed at sharpening and identifying gaps in the combatant skills of personnel in attaining its mandates of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country and subduing other security challenges confronting the nation.
The competition which kicked off with the opening ceremony held at the 3rd Armoured Division Nigeria Army, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Barracks, Jos Plateau State.
While declaring the competition open, the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS),
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Training, Maj Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, emphasized the need for the competition, noting that it “seeks to improve the endurance, team spirit, esprit-de-corps, leadership skills and obstacle crossing techniques of the competitors in pursuit of the Command’s mantra which is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained, well equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving the constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
The COAS further stated that the obstacle crossing skills is a major indices during recruitment of troops in combat.
“I am delighted to be in your midst this morning at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Army Inter Formation Platoon Combat Obstacle Crossing Competition 2024,” Gen. Lagbaja said.
“The competition seeks to improve the endurance, team spirit, esprit-de-corps, leadership skills and obstacle crossing techniques of the competitors in pursuit of my command philosophy which is “To Transform the NA into a well Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment”.
“Obstacle crossing skills is no doubt a major recruitment of troops in combat, and I am glad that the Directorate of Army Physical Fitness adequately tutored all of you, competitors, on the extant obstacle crossing technique in the Nigerian Army.
“It is my encouragement to you all to bring to bear, all the skills you have acquired in the course of training for the competition, this will enable us not only to realistically assess the obstacle crossing capability of the Nigerian Army, but also to identify areas for improvement in the skills of obstacle crossing.
“The commitment of the Nigerian Army in operations across the country may not have given the competing formations time to adequately train for this competition. Nonetheless, I expect you all to put up a good show because as military personnel, the act of obstacle crossing should be second nature to you.
“To this end, you are encouraged not to wait for periods of obstacle crossing competition before you engage in training on obstacle training.
“Commanders are to take it as a command responsibility to periodically engage their personnel in obstacle training, and to also ensure they maintain the obstacle courses in their formations and units to keep them in top form for training at all times.
“Let me appreciate Headquarters 3 Division, the host formation for the Inter-Formation Platoon Combat Obstacle Crossing Competition 2024, for all the arrangements put in place to host this all-important competition.
“I also wish to commend Army Headquarters Department of Training for effectively coordinating the preparations for this competition.
“As we wait to see how the competing formations will fare, it is my charge to the officiating officials to be thorough and painstaking in their assessment, while also being fair and impartial to ensure that the results of the competition are realistic.
“At this juncture, may I appreciate Mr President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army at all times.
“May I reassure Mr President of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to it’s constitutional responsivities always.
“And it is on this note that I declare the Nigerian Army Inter-Formation Platoon Combat Obstacle Crossing Competition 2024 open.
“I wish you all a faithful competition. Thank you and God bless.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Armoured Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Abdusalam Abubakar, reiterated that the security challenges in the country are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional in nature which requires high level of training, endurance and stamina hence the need for continuous training of troops.
He noted that it is paramount to state that the competition is not only to maintain proficiency, but to also continually enhance the capabilities of troops to effectively tackle the evolving and dynamic security threats.
He emphasized that the obstacle crossing competition would underscore the significance of teamwork while de-emphasing individual brilliance performance.
“Let me also remind you, that although the security situation in Jos is relatively calm, you need to exercise utmost caution in terms of movements outside your accommodation area,” he said.
“As you are all aware this Inter-Division Combat Platoon Obstacle Crossing Competition is an annual event, designed to enhance the operational readiness of troops under a competitive atmosphere.
“It is also, a mission-oriented test aimed at assessing the fitness capability of subalterns and soldiers at the tactical level in seamlessly navigating both natural and artificial obstacles within the shortest possible time,” Abubakar said.
The 2024 Army Obstacles Competition involves troops draw9n from the eight divisions of the Nigerian Army with eight platoons expected to undergo various obstacles from 24 to 28 July.
