The Nigerian Army’s 1 Division Inter-Brigade Proficiency Competition has concluded in Kaduna, with 1 Division Garrison securing first place, accumulating an impressive 590 points, on Thursday.
The competition, which aimed to strengthen the combat readiness of the Nigerian Army, featured participation from various brigades and saw a total of 54 officers vying for the top spot.
In second place, 31 Artillery Brigade from Minna earned 530 points, while 3 Brigade from Kano followed closely in third place with 500 points.
These formations showcased their skills in a variety of challenging exercises, proving their mettle and dedication.
The competition was designed to test the officers’ abilities in a range of military skills, including weapon handling, combat swimming, range classification, map orientation, point-to-point map reading, physical fitness, and obstacle crossing.
The 54 participating officers were drawn from the 1 Division Garrison in Kaduna, 3 Brigade in Kano, and 31 Artillery Brigade in Minna.
For four days, the participants competed rigorously, representing their respective formations with determination and grit.
During the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso declared the competition a success.
He emphasized that the event was organized in alignment with the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, which focuses on maintaining a well-trained and combat-ready force capable of fulfilling any assigned tasks.
Saraso highlighted that the competition was designed not only to enhance combat efficiency but also to build stamina, endurance, and foster team spirit among the officers.
Expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the event, Maj.-Gen. Saraso noted that all objectives set for the competition had been successfully achieved.
He urged the winners to be gracious in victory and encouraged those who placed second and third to view their results as a challenge to improve in future competitions.
He advised them to critically review their performances and make necessary improvements where required.
In his closing remarks, the GOC also extended his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for providing the moral support and resources necessary for the successful execution of the competition.
Maj.-Gen. Saraso commended the Commander of the 1 Division Garrison and all the officials for their relentless efforts in ensuring the event was well-organized and smoothly executed.
Brig.-Gen. David Nwakonobi, Chief of Staff of the 1 Division Nigerian Army, also praised the event’s organizers for their dedication.
He acknowledged the fierce competition that had taken place over the four days and expressed his appreciation for the participants who gave their all, representing their brigades with distinction.
Brig.-Gen. Nwakonobi extended his gratitude to the GOC for his leadership and the resources provided to facilitate such an important competition.
