The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General E.N Njoku, has expressed optimism that his men could represent the country in future international Olympics and win medals and trophies for it in various sporting activities.
Njoku spoke during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Inter-Brigade Sports Competition organized by the division at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
He said that he was satisfied with the skills exhibited by his officers in both the football novelty match and athletics during the flagg-off of the competition.
According to him, the sports competition is organized annually by the division to foster unity among soldiers from various formations and to make them physically, mentally and psychologically fit as required of every military personnel for them to discharge their roles effectively.
‘‘Inter-brigade sports competition is an annual event designed to inculcate sporting talent in our officers. But for the past three years, the division was unable to organize it because we gave all our attentions and energy in the fight against insurgents in the north. But thank God, we have now over-powered the terrorists and our soldiers can now engage in sports and games at their leisure times,” he said.
He also charged soldiers in the country to continue to devote themselves heartily to national service and to always place the needs of others above their personal interests with a view to keeping the nation peaceful and safe for all citizens.