Major General AE Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), has officially announced open the 3 Division Corporal and Below Competition 2024 on April 15, 2024 at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, Plateau State.
The one-week competition was declared open at the 82nd Battalion Parade Ground by Maj. Gen. AE Abubakar. He explained that it was a part of a plan to increase troop competency and that it aligned with the three pillars of the Chief of Army Staff philosophy: leadership, operational effectiveness, and sound administration.
He issued a challenge to the attendees, asking them to improve their training and readiness to assume responsibility for protecting the public.
As the event’s Special Guest of Honour, Maj. Gen. Abubakar praised the troops’ efforts in addressing security threats of all kinds within the 3 Division Area of Responsibility.
He hinted that the competition was one of the tactics intended to increase the soldiers’ proficiency because they deal with a variety of security issues on a daily basis, such as kidnapping, banditry, arms deals, ethnic and religious conflicts, and conflicts between farmers and herders.
The GOC who was represented by the Chief of Staff Headquarters 3 Division, Brigadier General AU Gumel, emphasised the competition’s benefits, stating that it will foster esprit de corps, cultivate healthy rivalry among participating formations, and provide an opportunity to use initiative and good judgement.
Brig. Gen. Gumel further stated that the Nigerian Army has recently enhanced its training by conducting healthy competitions between various formations across the country. He also stated that the competition will demonstrate the Division’s ability to build on its previous triumphs in combatting all forms of criminality.
Brig Gen MK Sanda, Commander of 3 Division Garrison, emphasized the competition’s goal and encouraged participants to make new friends.
Lieutenant Colonel HA Hammadu, the Commanding Officer, emphasized the event as a key training activity for Corporal and below troops to improve their physical fitness, professionalism and competent to fill in the leadership qualities required to lead men in the field.
Six different formations within the 3 Division Area of Responsibility, which include 6 Brigade Jalingo, 23 Brigade Yola, 33 Artilery Brigade Bauchi, 3 Division Garison, 43 Engineer Brigade, and 53 Signal Brigade Jos, would compete in drills, map reading, endurance, and obstacle crossing.
The opening ceremony was attended by commanders of several formations, leaders of security agencies on the plateau, and staff members from Headquarters 3 division.
