DO YOU KNOW? Osogbo now has an Army Recruit Training Depot, 2nd of such in Nigeria

DO YOU KNOW? Osogbo now has an Army Recruit Training Depot, 2nd of such in Nigeria

Khalid ABRAHAM

President Tinubu

Nigeria now boasts two army training depots following the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Osun state. The creation of the new depot was recently effected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Osogbo Depot becomes the only second of such training base after that of Zaria Kaduna state, founded in 1924.

The Zaria Depot in over a century has produced lots of personnel for the Nigerian Army.

Now, President Tinubu has displayed a rare political strong will founding a second one thereby breaking the monopoly and taking steps to decentralise military bases in Nigeria. Thus, this is the first time military training base is decentralized in the history of Nigeria.

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It’s a known fact that military bases and institutions are over centralised in the north especially in Kaduna state.

Femi Adefemiwa in an article noted Kaduna alone hosts at least ten elite military establishments including the Nigerian Defence Academy (the famous NDA), the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Army Training Depot, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), the Army School of Artillery in Kachia, the Naval School of Armament Technology, and more. Zaria, also in Kaduna state, parades the Nigerian Military School and the Army School of Military Police.

Interestingly, the Osogbo Depot is receiving formidable attention. Recently, it hosted the inter-company endurance race for 89 regular recruits intake.

According to Major Yahaya Ibrahim, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, the competition which featured both 5- and 10 kilometer endurance race inter-company competition for recruits of 89 regular intake, was designed to build the recruits’ stamina, endurance, and team spirit, essential qualities for their rigorous military training.

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In the 5-kilometer competition, Juliet Company emerged champions, showcasing their exceptional athletic prowess. Conversely, Delta Company finished last and was awarded the wooden spoon.

The 10-kilometer competition saw Charlie Company take the top spot, earning them the champion trophy. Juliet Company, which had earlier emerged champions in the 5-kilometer race, finished last in the 10-kilometer competition and received the wooden spoon.

In addition to the company awards, individual recruits who distinguished themselves as the Black Panthers during the competition were recognized with cash prizes. Both male and female recruits who excelled in the competition received awards, highlighting their outstanding performance.

The Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Brigadier General Buhari Madaki, commended all personnel for their enthusiasm and efforts in building the physical fitness of the Recruits. He congratulated all participants for a successful outing and concluded with a call for continued commitment and dedication as the recruits progress in their training.

Then to further underscore the importance of the Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, in July, made an operational visit there, during which he tasked officers and instructors there and in other Nigerian Army training institutions, particularly mentioning Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, to produce top-notch soldiers that Nigerians could be proud of.

Chief of Army Staff

According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel AppoloniaAnele, the COAS, during his visit, emphasised the importance of effective training and professionalism in producing gallant soldiers that could frustrate the activities of local and transnational criminal groups and defend the nation’s territorial integrity.

He urged officers and instructors to align with his vision of enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capabilities in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

Oluyede, therefore, charged the instructors to train the recruits with passion, focusing on capacity development with the sole aim of producing high-quality personnel.

The COAS also took the opportunity to tour and inspect the training facilities and infrastructure within the Depot, assessing the current state of readiness and identifying areas for improvement with the aim of boosting the Army’s operational readiness and performance.

Who says President Tinubu is another weakling? He is with gusto resetting the age-long imbalances plaguing Nigeria. He is replicating opportunities long restricted to a part of the country and unlocking the potentials of the south.

Kudos to him.