Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria .:: Mogadishu Battalion Victorious in the 2017 Inter Battalion Obstacle Crossing Competition

Mogadishu Battalion Victorious in the 2017 Inter Battalion Obstacle Crossing Competition

Mogadishu Battalion came out tops to clinch victory at the 2017 Cadet Brigade Inter Battalion Obstacle Crossing Competition which was conducted at the Permanent Site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) with a crossing time of 24mins 24seconds with least penalty time to grab the 1st position. Burma battalion took the 2nd position with a crossing time of 28mins 18secs with more penalty time while the 4th position was jointly taken by Dalet and Abyssinia battalions for receiving maximum penalties.

Presentation of trophy to Mogadishu Battalion

Cadets Brigade Inter Battalion Obstacle Crossing Competition is one of the major training events in the NDA calendar of events that is structured to match real battle life condition which among other things encourage team work, leadership qualities, engender physical endurance, a good spirit of sportsmanship and esprit-de-corps among the Cadets. It is a course that all the medically fit Cadets from the four regular battalions-Abyssinia, Burma, Dalet and Mogadishu are expected to participate.

Obstacle Crossing

The obstacles which the Cadets are expected to cross successfully are 2ft Clear jump, 4ft Gate vault, Barbed wire, 6/5ft Wall, Ramp, Scramble net and 10/9ft Wall. Others are Hand Bridge, Tarzan rope, 6 /5 ft Ditch, Tunnel and Vertical horizontal rope all in the midst of simulated gun fire and explosion.

Obstacle Crossing

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and the former Commandant NDA, Major General MT Ibrahim expressed his utmost satisfaction with the competition noting that it marked one of the watersheds in the career of the Cadets. He explained the importance of speed to get across demolition obstacles and the need for carefulness which ensures safety in the crossing of obstacles. Major General MT Ibrahim said that obstacle crossing event is a major activity used in shaping the officer cadets for offensive and defensive operations. According to him, it should be conducted in clean and ethical manner devoid of any deliberate errors that will put their unity in disarray adding that poor and wrong strategy leads to massive disaster. He urged the cadets to train for best strategy, best maneuver and integrity. He likened the event to a chapter in the life of the military and will go down as a day history was made in the lives of the cadets. He applauded the integrity and dexterity of the winner battalion for refusing to sacrifice honour and integrity on the altar of cheating. To the loosers, he encouraged them to cheer up saying that he who falls and stands up will never be defeated. The former Commandant tasked them to prepare themselves for future challenges and eliminate elements of cheating in their everyday challenges but to develop robust mind, well fired up imagination. He emphasized that loss of any soldier in the battle field can cause low morale in the soldiers and affect their performance negatively. He commended the DMT, CBC and other organizers of the event for a beautiful outing.

The former Commandant NDA, Maj Gen MT Ibrahim

Announcing the best three female and male cadets in the competition, the Chief Judge and the Commanding Officer Ashanti Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) RU Mairiga announced that in the female category, 1st position went to NDA/10522 Cadet PE Bassey of Burma battalion in 12 minutes 12 seconds while the 2nd position was taken by NDA/10787 Cadet OA Alaba of Burma battalion in 12 minutes 33 seconds. NDA/9919 Cadet DO Unuigbe also of Burma battalion came 3rd in 12 minutes 54 seconds.

In the male category, NDA/9729 Cadet EO Iseghohimen of Mogadishu battalion came 1st in 8 minutes 28 seconds. NDA/9968 Cadet MA Damulak of Burma Battalion took the 2nd position in 9 minutes 12 seconds leaving the 3rd position to NDA/9749 Cadet U Haruna of Mogadisu battalion who made it in 9 minutes 5 seconds.