Maj.-Gen. Victor Okwudili-Ezugwu, Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria on Saturday identified sports as an undiluted path to achieving national integration.
He stated this while declaring open the maiden Nigerian Military School (NMS) Sport Week at the school in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The event is meant to harness sporting talents for the Nigerian Army.
Okwudili-Ezugwu stressed that apart from its unifying factor, sports inculcates team work and Camaraderie among participants.
The Commandant described NMS as a national strategic asset that has been contributing to all facets of national and international manpower development.
“Ex-boys of the school have severally proven themselves as worthy ambassadors of this great institution. I am proud to be identified with the incumbent Commandant, Brig.-Gen. MM Bunza’s giant stride.
“I am glad to note that training in NMS is deliberately designed to prepare the boys to meet the challenges and responsibilities that await them upon graduation from the school,” he said.
He appreciated the efforts of the school for organizing such a high standard sporting completion.
“The concept of sport week as I realised would not only ease the administration of the sporting competitions but also avail the school the opportunity to identify talents and further facilitate the training of the boys.
“I would like to sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Commandant in upgrading the training facilities in the school. I am equally impressed with his transformational passion and drive,” he said.
Okwudili-Ezugwu encouraged the participants to put in their best, and the instructors to ensure that the boys were physically fit to be able to effectively discharge their duties as soldiers upon their passing out from the school.
Earlier in a welcome address, the NMS Commandant, Brig.-Gen. Muktar Bunza said the institution was primarily established to train middle level manpower for junior leadership in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Bunza, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant, Col. Ter Anu, said the school, establishment in 1954, has lived beyond its mandate.
He charged the participants to exhibit high sense of sportsmanship, friendliness, commitment and zeal to attain pinnacle.
The completion is expected to end on Wednesday. (NAN)
