Corporals and below ranks drawn from the four formations under the 6 Division, Nigerian Army have begun a 5-day training in Delta State aimed at improving their combat efficiency in dealing with the security challenges bedevilling the Nigerian state.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, on Monday declared open the training tagged 6 Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below Competition at the playground of 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army Effurun Barracks.
The ongoing Nigerian Army 2024 Corporal and Below Competition in Delta State is being hosted by the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba.
Participants are drawn from four formations under the 6 Division Nigerian Army namely 6 Division Garrison, 2 Amphibious Brigade, 16 Brigade and 63 Brigade.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, represented by the Commander, 6 Garrison, Sector 3 Joint Taskforce, South-South Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Edet Effiong said the competition is one of the Nigerian yearly training activities which serves to improve the combat capability and efficiency of non-commission officers from the ranks and below, enhance their leadership skills and determine their organisational ability as well as put to test the participants’ ability to endure under difficult circumstances while promoting esprit de corps among the troops.
The GOC noted that training activities such as the Corporal and Below Competition are necessary if the Nigerian Army must succeed in the numerous operations engaged in across the country.
He commended the Commanders of the formations whose personnel are participating in the training urging the participants not to cut corners so that the aims would not be defeated.
For his part, the Commander, 63 Brigade, Sector 3 Joint Taskforce, South-South Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Vitus Unachukwu urged the participants to put in their best and display good sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The 5-day 6 Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below Competition began on Monday, April 15 with a time point-to-point and map orientation.
Day two April 16 will feature a drill competition between the four competing formations at the parade ground in Effurun Barracks.
Weapon handling and range classification scheduled for day three on April 17 will witness the stripping and assembling of weapons and live firing at Ekewan Range in Benin City.
Combat swimming at the Wellington Hotel Effurun where participants are expected to display their Amphibious capabilities is slated for day four of April 18.
The competition will climax on day five April 19 with obstacle crossing at the Battalion Obstacle Course in Effurun Barracks and will be followed by the announcement of results and presentation of trophies to deserving formations.