By Tola Gbadamosi

In a remarkable recognition of dedication and professionalism, the Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) celebrated 26 officers who excelled in various promotion examinations during the 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards.

The event, held on 1 November at the newly inaugurated Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall in Minna Military Cantonment, underscored TRADOC’s commitment to fostering excellence within the Army.

These officers received accolades for their outstanding performances in various promotional examinations, reflecting TRADOC’s mission to build leadership capabilities and advance career planning within the Army.

This was contained in a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, to The Hope Metro.

It added that the awards aimed to reward merit, promote healthy competition among corps, and enhance operational efficiency across formations.

The Special Guest of Honour, Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Maj. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Maj. Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), lauded the honourees for their hard work and expressed confidence that such recognition would motivate officers to pursue excellence in future assessments.

He noted that promotion examinations are pivotal for career progression and emphasised the importance of appreciating officers’ professionalism and dedication.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, the Commander of TRADOC NA, highlighted the significance of the merit awards since their inception in 2021.

He pointed out that this year’s ceremony introduced the Best Division Award, assessing divisions based on training school performance to fairly evaluate their unique challenges and successes.

Maj. Gen. Aligbe further revealed that 2024 training objectives had been met, with details to be shared at the forthcoming COAS Annual Conference.

The event also featured the commissioning of the new multipurpose hall, further demonstrating the Nigerian Army’s investment in enhancing training facilities and social interactions within the cantonment.

This facility was funded through the continued support of the COAS, which Maj. Gen. Aligbe acknowledged with gratitude.

Attendees included top military and government officials, retired senior officers, and cultural performances from the NYSC Cultural Troupe and Stereoman Ekwe, which added colour to the occasion.

This year’s TRADOC Merit Awards reinforced the Army’s commitment to excellence and professional growth, setting a benchmark for future events.