Nigerian Army Honors Excellence at 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards

Nigerian Army Honors Excellence at 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards

The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army celebrated outstanding achievement among its personnel during the 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards held on November 1 at the newly built Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall in Minna Military Cantonment.

The Spokesperson of TRADOC, Lt Colonel Sani Uba in a, statement said the event was held in the Cantonment.

In line with its motto, “Towards Greater Heights,” TRADOC NA serves as a center of excellence for capacity building within the Nigerian Army. The event recognized the exceptional performance of 26 officers who excelled in various promotional examinations, alongside an award for the most commendable Division among the training schools.

Maj. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, expressed the importance of the Merit Awards in promoting professionalism and motivating officers during the ceremony. Represented by Maj. Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Oluyede highlighted the need for continuous preparation for examinations and commended the efforts of officers for their dedication to the Nigerian Army.

The awards ceremony also featured a special acknowledgment of notable personalities who have contributed to TRADOC’s growth and development. The initiative aims to promote healthy competition among Corps and institutions within the army, reinforcing a culture of excellence.

Commander of TRADOC NA, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, reflected on the significance of the awards, first introduced in 2021, and cited improvements in training quality across various army establishments as a direct result of TRADOC’s evaluations.

A new category, the Best Division Award, was introduced this year to assess divisions based on the performance of their training schools. This initiative aims to address the unique challenges faced by different divisions and ensure a fair evaluation of their training efforts.

In addition to the awards, Aligbe announced the distribution of educational materials to over 7,000 children in four schools as part of TRADOC NA’s Educational Support Programme, highlighting the army’s commitment to community welfare.

The event featured the commissioning of the Lt Gen TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall, signaling enhanced training capabilities and social activities within the cantonment. The project was inaugurated by Maj. Gen. Oluyede, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Nigerian Army.

Attendees included senior military officials, heads of security agencies, and representatives from federal government departments. The ceremony also showcased cultural performances, adding to the day’s significance.

This year’s Merit Awards firmly underscored the Nigerian Army’s dedication to fostering excellence and professionalism within its ranks as it moves towards meeting its training objectives for 2024.