The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday , said regular training of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army remain critical in the performance of its constitutional roles.
Buratai stated this while declaring open the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) 2019 and inauguration of the remodeled 2 Division Nigerian Army Shooting Range at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojo’o, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship, which was designed to improve officers’ weapon handling, had 10 formations under 2 division of the Nigerian Army participating.
Buratai, represented by Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Tarfa, Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, said the championship would confirm serviceability of weapons and ammunition and improve the skills of officers and soldier
The chief of Army Staff said that the championship would also directly improve in the fight against insurgency and terrorism and prepare officers for greater effectiveness in their profession.
He called on the participating formations to take the championship seriously, stressing “this is the only way to benefit maximally from the champion.
“The team of officers has been carefully selected to ensure that all team compete on a level playing ground.
” Necessary measures have been put in place for a successful competition and any unwholesome conducted will not be tolerated.
“It is my hope that all the competitors will abide by the rules and be worthy ambassador of their formation and the Nigerian Army at large.’’
In his remark, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Div. Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, appreciated Buratai for the timely release of funds for the construction and renovation of the shooting range and other facilities.
Omozoje said that the shooting range had been abandoned over the years and was in a state of disrepair until the intervention of the Chief of Army Staff.
In his remarks, Gov., Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, assured the Nigerian Army of his administration’s support and the sustenance of the existing relationship between his government and the army.
Makinde said the contribution of the army in Nigeria’s history, especially in the fight against Boko Haram, could not be forgotten.
He urged them to sustain the tempo for peace to reign in Nigeria.
