Agency Report

By Mohammed Tijjani

The 1 Division, Nigerian Army Physical Training Department, on Tuesday organized a two days Pilot Clinic on Physical Efficiency Test.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that its theme is “Revamping Army Physical Training and Fitness to Address Combat Readiness in the 21st Century” as an After-Action-Review of the Second Physical Efficiency Test for year 2022.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the clinic was aimed at assessing the overall performance of the just concluded Second Annual Physical Efficiency Test.

The GOC was represented by the Division’s Training Officer, Brig.-Gen. Bede Amakor .

He said the clinic was aimed at standardising the initiatives and innovations geared towards a better efficiency and effectiveness in relation to physical fitness.

Lagbaja also commended the initiative of the Acting Assistant Director 1 Division Physical Training for organising the clinic.

Earlier, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Physical Training 1 Division, Maj. Timipre Okou, stated that the pilot clinic would among other intent, assist in counseling personnel on dangerous practice of drastic weight-loss or gain, which limited effective body function.

Okou said it was hindering physical and cognitive performance for combat readiness.

He added that personnel could make frantic efforts to remain very active while in service.

NAN reports that highlights of the event was the inauguration of the Stallion Sports and Exercise Performance Laboratory at the Division’s Headquarters, as well as lectures and paper presentations.

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News Politics

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Dogara, Lawal may soon dump APC for PDP or Labour Party

BAYO WAHAB

September 28, 2022 5:56 AM

The APC chieftains have been criticising the party since it settled for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 elections.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and ex-Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. (Punch)

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and ex-Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara may soon dump the ruling All Progressives Congress over their displeasure with the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

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In an interview with ThePunch on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, no decision has been made yet but they are considering a move to another party.

The APC chieftains have been criticising the party since it settled for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 elections.

Lawal and Dogara recently vowed to mobilise Northern Christians to reject the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket.

According to the former SGF, their agitation against Tinubu/Shettima ticket is not personal, adding that their rejection of the ticket was a representation of the wish of Nigerians who are demanding “demanding for fair and equitable representation.”

“What we are doing is for the sake of Nigeria. Of the 18 political parties in the country, we are talking to the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party. It is only the APC that has rejected us; the other 17 parties have not. So, those three are in the foreground of our discussion for now, but no decision has been taken," he said.

Lawal added that the fact that MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe ran on the same-faith ticket in 1993 is not sufficient for the APC to replicate it for the 2023 general election.

He said, “Yes, Abiola and Kingibe did it but was the election not annulled? Have these people bothered to find out why the election was annulled? I am a member of the APC but we are the voices of those who have been mistreated. Since it is too late to form our party now, we are evaluating the options before us.

He further disclosed that they were listening to political parties that are receptive to them, adding that they were already in talks with some parties.