OWODE-YEWA (OGUN) – Brig.-Gen. Ahmadu Bello, Commander, Nigerian Army Mapping and Survey Command (AMSC), on Friday said the soldiers’ involvement in sports would ensure their physical fitness.
Bello made the statement while speaking with journalists at the end of the AMSC Sports Week in its command in Owode Yewa Barracks, in Ogun.
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“The importance of the sports week is to ensure the physical fitness and mental alertness of our soldiers and other people who are participating.
“It has been a very keen competition in volley ball, tug of war, football and volleyball,’’ he said.
He also said that the AMSC Sports Week 2015 involved other security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, Customs, Immigration and Civilian Cubs within and around Owode.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that these games also foster civil-military relationship and that is why people from Idiroko, Owode, Badagry and Ota communities are participating in it.
“It also enhances the relationship we have enjoyed for so long. We shall do everything possible to sustain the Games.
“By virtue of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) agenda, he also builds a perfect civil-military cooperation and we would continue to ensure that the essence of the games is kept.
“This is an eye opener and I have no doubt that other people and corporate organisations will key into it for cooperation and sponsorship,’’ Bello said.
He also said the army had done well in sports both internationally and locally and had participated in some international events in the past and still doing so, especially in Golf.
“With Nigerian Army Sports Council, Nigerian Army personnel have participated in about five different Games where they have won laurels.
“We have also started a computer course for the soldiers as networking process to engage our men.
“Youth corps members have been involved in training our women on bead and bag making.
“The products are so good that invited guest during their graduation confessed that the quality of the bags they made were comparable to those imported from foreign countries,’’ he said
The Seriki of Idiroko, Alhaji Usman Jega, who was also present at the ceremony, said the participation of the military, para-military and the community showed an evidence of true civil-military relations.
“This game is fantastic. This is to show that the military, para-military and the communities are working together as brothers and sisters, indicating unity which is the hallmark of our nationhood.
“It also indicates that as a people we must work together to move the country forward rather than engaging in unnecessary bickering and bitterness that would not move us forward as one Nigeria,’’ he said.
The Seriki also advised the youths to shun criminal acts and be serious with their educational pursuit.
A ward chief in Owode, Baale Alani Abiola, also said that without education, nobody could achieve anything in life.
He encouraged the youth to take their education seriously with a view to becoming better children of our great country.
“The parents must do more than they are presently doing to encourage the children so that they face their education as it is the only veritable passport to a comfortable living,’’ he said.
Also present at the event was the Controller, Nigerian Customs, Comptroller Maumud Haruna, Lt. Col. Jamiu Are, who represented the 9 Brigrade Commander and officers and ratings.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owode Club emerged the winner in football and the Headquarters of Engineering Corps won the tug of war. (NAN)