Training
By Mohammed Tijjani
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday, pledged more welfare and training for Army personnel to tackle security challenges in the country.
Buratai also pledged to provide necessary support for the Army to excel in sporting competitions.
The Army Chief made the pledge in a message to the opening of the Directorate of Army Physical Training Officers Conference, holding at the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai was represented by Corps Commander Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Stevenson-Olugbenga Olabanji.
The conference, which will end on Nov. 4, has as its theme: “Repositioning the NAPT Corps through Elective Training and Sports Excellence.”
He stressed that his main vision was to ensure that the Army becomes professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“Consequently, operational, administrative and logistics strategies were evolved to refocus on fighting against insurgency and other security threats nationwide,” he said.
On the conference, Buratai expressed optimism that it would assist the PT Corps to take its pride of place in providing requisite support to the Nigerian Army, for combat efficiency and excellence in sports.
Buratai stressed that time has come for the Nigerian Army to return to the heights it occupied in sports excellence.
“Sequel to these, I have devoted a lot of resources for infrastructural and human capacity development,
in addition to the training of our sportsmen and their participation for various national and international sports and military games.
“I have followed events in the PT Corps in the last one year. I have observed the diligence with which the personnel of this Corps have carried out the onerous tasks of keeping the NA fit for combat efficiency.
“I am not also unmindful of the recent achievements of our sportsmen in various sporting events, as outlined by the Director Physical Training (Army) in his welcome address.
“Consequently, the twin issues of fitness training and drive for sports excellence have led to mark achievements both by the NA and the individual sportsmen.
“This has reinforced the age long belief that training is at the heart of professionalism.
“It was in view of the foregoing, that I feel obliged, to be part of the efforts by the PT Corps to review its present state, in relation to the existing fitness and combat challenges the NA has, with the aim to reposition itself,” he said.
Buratai appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued and invaluable support to the Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“Therefore, I wish to pledge the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the NA to the President and the defence of our democracy,” he added.
Earlier, the Director, Army Physical Training, Maj.-Gen. Wilson Ali, said they were working on introducing para sports into their sporting programme.
“This is with the view to constructively encourage and engage personnel who have sustained one form of disability or the other in the course of their career.”
He also said that efforts were on to provide facilities for archery, cycling and shooting, to mentor available talents to global excellence.NAN
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