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By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Nigerian Army, has charged Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) to remain vigilant, professional and committed to sustaining the ongoing fight against insecurity in Katsina State and other parts of the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The charge was delivered by Wing Commander Nelson Okore, who represented the GOC at the closing ceremony of the 2026 8 Division Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition.
Addressing participants at the event, Okore commended the officers and soldiers for their outstanding performance, discipline and resilience throughout the competition, describing the high standards displayed as evidence of the effectiveness of training and professionalism within the Division.
“It gives me immense pleasure to address you at the successful conclusion of the 2026 8 Division Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition. I commend all participants for their professionalism, discipline, endurance and commitment displayed throughout the competition,” he said.
According to him, the exercise served as a vital platform for assessing professional competence, enhancing leadership skills, fostering esprit de corps and strengthening the operational readiness of personnel.
He congratulated the winning teams for their impressive performances while encouraging those who did not emerge victorious to remain focused and continue striving for excellence in the discharge of their duties.
The GOC’s representative emphasized the critical role played by Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers in maintaining the traditions, discipline and effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He urged them to continue embracing the Army’s “Soldier First” concept by prioritizing the welfare, training, discipline and operational effectiveness of troops under their supervision.
“As senior soldiers and custodians of military traditions, your role as the critical link between commanders and soldiers remains indispensable to the success of the Nigerian Army,” he stated.
Speaking on security operations across the North-West, Okore noted that the successes recorded by troops in recent months were products of sacrifice, resilience and unwavering commitment by personnel operating on various fronts.
He, however, stressed that the military must not relent in its efforts, urging troops to sustain the momentum through heightened operational readiness, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“As we continue to confront security challenges within Katsina State and other parts of our Area of Responsibility, I charge you to remain focused, vigilant and professional in the conduct of ongoing operations,” he said.
“The successes recorded so far are attributable to the sacrifices, resilience and commitment of our troops. We must therefore sustain the momentum by maintaining a high level of operational readiness, intelligence gathering and cooperation with relevant stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security.”
The representative of the GOC also expressed appreciation to the Commander of 17 Brigade, members of the organizing committee, umpires, judges and all personnel whose efforts ensured the successful conduct of the competition.
He further thanked the Katsina State Government and the people of the state for their continuous support to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the collective effort to restore peace and stability.
The annual competition is designed to sharpen military skills, enhance leadership capacity and promote healthy rivalry among Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, who play a crucial role in the operational effectiveness of the Army.
With the conclusion of the event, participants are expected to return to their respective units better prepared to contribute to ongoing operations and the overall mission of safeguarding lives, property and national security.
Declaring the event closed, Wing Commander Okore reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to professionalism, excellence and operational success in tackling security threats across the region.
“On this note, I declare the 2026 8 Division Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition officially closed,” he announced.
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