The Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, Eungu, won the Inter-Formation Platoon Swimming Championship in Lagos. After accumulating 130 points from the combat swimming competition held at the Badagry Beach, Old Slave Village, Badagry, and the conventional swimming competition held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the 82 Division contingents were declared the winners.
The eventual champions, 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu, and the defending champions, 1 Division, Kaduna, were tied on points at the end of the competition. However, 82 Division Nigerian Army was declared the winner because they returned with a faster time of 2 minutes, 23 seconds, and 24 microseconds during the combat swimming competition.
The Enugu team had put in a lot of training and deserved to win, according to Major BO Ewevapo, the division’s acting acting ADPT, who was also the team’s commanding officer. He emphasized the timing of the team’s return at the Combat Swimming competition.
Major Ewevapo reported that his troops and competitors were camped out at the Army Amphibious Training School (ATS) Calabar for six weeks of intense training to get them ready and in shape for the competition, which they won. He insisted that given the participants’ “high moral,” there is a good chance they will defend the trophy the following year.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Faruk Yahaya, thanked the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army for hosting the event and praised the competitors for displaying a high level of discipline and camaraderie throughout the week-long fiesta, which began on Sunday, November 27, 2022. Yahaya was represented by Brigadier General OE Fawole, the Acting Director, Army Physical Training. According to the COAS, “the shaky security situation in the nation has presented the army with the opportunity to check the activities and crimes committed through continuous training of our officers and men.”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the competitors for the sportsmanlike competition you displayed over the course of these four days”, he continued. According to the chief judge’s comments and the observations of the observers, it is clear that the different formations have put forth admirable effort in preparing their various teams for the championship. I am therefore impressed by the military bearing, strength, and endurance that you have displayed.
“Training is the cornerstone of any fighting force, as we all know. It is anticipated that the abilities you have demonstrated will help to strengthen your leadership qualities, foster a sense of teamwork, and raise your morale. You are all aware that it is preferable to perspire more during times of peace in order to bleed less when fighting. The advantages of sound training have been demonstrated by this event. Please continue, I beg you.
The official opening ceremony for the 2022 Inter-Formation Platoon Swimming Championship took place on Monday, where the COAS and the host General Officer Commanding, Major General Obinna Ajunwa, encouraged the eight participating divisions, which included the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison and the 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, 2 Division NA, Ibadan, 3 Division NA, Jos, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, 8 Division, Sokoto, 81 Division, Lagos, and 82 Division Nigerian Army.
The Mobee of Badagry, High Chief Tunde Duro, the Representative of the Akran of Badagry, Brigadier General MB Wabili, and other senior officers in the Nigerian Army’s hierarchy were among the dignitaries who attended the closing ceremony and the presentation of trophies and medals. The event did however record the death of a soldier who drowned while practicing.
