The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has asserted that Nigeria’s adversaries will soon be subdued, promising the restoration of peace and stability throughout the nation.
This declaration was made during the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Army Inter-Formation Ball Games 2025, which took place at the former site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the week-long sports event featured 250 athletes competing in handball, basketball, football, and volleyball.
The athletes represented various divisions, including the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 81st, 82nd Divisions, the Army Headquarters Garrison, and the Special Forces Command.
Oluyede affirmed, “As an Army, we will continue to fulfil our constitutional duties to the best of our abilities, with the confident expectation that our enemies will soon be brought to their knees.”
Represented by the academy’s Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, the COAS praised the participants for their sportsmanship and team spirit displayed throughout the games.
He noted that the goals of promoting physical fitness and camaraderie among the participants had been successfully met.
Oluyede urged the athletes to carry forward the qualities of teamwork, respect, discipline, courage, and esprit de corps into their respective formations and units.
He congratulated the 1st Division for securing first place and encouraged those who did not win to compete more fiercely in future events.
The COAS expressed his belief that the Directorate of Army Physical Training has identified talents capable of representing the Nigerian Army and the nation in future sporting events.
He extended his gratitude to the government and people of Kaduna State, the commandant of the academy, and other officials for their unwavering support.
Additionally, Oluyede commended President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast backing of the Nigerian Army.
NAN reports that the 1st Division emerged as the overall winner of the competition, securing five gold medals, followed by the Army Headquarters Garrison in second place with two golds, and the 6th Division in third place with one gold medal.
