Kaduna State Government has pledged to support the Army in its efforts at promoting sporting activities in the state.

Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai

Gov. Nasiru El Rufai stated this in a message at the closing ceremony of this year’s inter-brigade sports championship organised by 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna on Friday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Governor was represented by the commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.

El Rufai expressed gratitude to the personnel of the division and Army towards securing the state and its people from criminality.

He noted that the Army had conducted operations in parts of the state to assist civil authorities towards rooting out criminality and creating a favorable socio-economic environment.

• Protest: Enugu CP cautions parents not to allow wards truncate existing peace
• Nigeria and Independence: A sober reflection

The Governor also expressed gratitude for the civil-military cooperation projects in the area of medical outreaches as well as the construction of bridges and roads.

He congratulated the participants and urged them to sustain the sporting tempo.

He added: “We are all aware that troops need to be mentally and physically sound to withstand the rigors of their duties.

“The vision of the Chief of Army Staff is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, and physical fitness is an important part of attaining that vision.”

El-Rufai said that the Nigerian army and 1 Division, in particular, had always made meaningful contributions to sports development in Kaduna State and the nation.

“Nigerian Army personnel have represented the states and the nation in both national and international sporting events,” he said.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Faruq Yahaya explained that the essence of the championship was to improve troops physical fitness and also contribute to sports development in the Army and country at large.

Yahaya commended the participants for exhibiting high standards of discipline in the course of the championship.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that 900 army personnel participated in the five-day competition and were drawn from 3 Brigade Kano,  31  Artillery Brigade Minna and 1 Division Garrison  Kaduna.

NAN also reports that some of the events that took place during the activities included boxing, football, table tennis, squash, swimming, tug of war, volleyball and obstacle crossing among others.

At the end of the event, 1 Division Garrison emerged the overall winner with 28 gold medals, 14 silver, and three bronze medals, while 3 Brigade came second with 17 gold, 21 silver, and eight bronze medals.

The 31 Artillery Brigade came third with 10 gold, 13 silver, and 19  bronze medals.

Source: NAN

Vanguard News