Nigerian Army Recognizes Excellence at 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards

Nigerian Army Recognizes Excellence at 2024 TRADOC Merit Awards

The Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army (TRADOC) celebrated the outstanding achievements of 26 officers at its 2024 Merit Awards. These officers were honored for their exemplary performance in various promotion examinations, showcasing academic excellence and dedication to their duties.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for TRADOC, the ceremony also included an award for the best-performing division among the army’s training schools.

Lt.-Col. Uba highlighted that the awards align with TRADOC’s motto, “Towards Greater Heights,” reflecting the army’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding merit as a key aspect of military service.

“The fourth edition of the TRADOC Merit Award was organized in collaboration with Army Headquarters to promote dedication and encourage healthy competition among corps and institutions, ultimately enhancing professionalism in the army,” Uba stated.

Awards presented included the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award for Excellence for the Lieutenant-to-Captain Practical Promotion Examination, and accolades for top candidates in both practical and written promotion examinations for Captain-to-Major ranks, as well as the Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination.

Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Acting Chief of Army Staff, represented by Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), lauded the awardees for their commitment and hard work. He emphasized that the recognition aims to motivate officers to prepare for future challenges and inspire junior officers to pursue excellence in their careers.

“The promotion examinations play a critical role in determining career progression and fostering professionalism in the army,” Oluyede said, expressing appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s support for the military and commending Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, Commander of TRADOC, for his efforts in modernizing the command.

In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Aligbe reflected on the importance of the awards, which began in 2021, noting that they have significantly boosted administrative efficiency and operational effectiveness. He introduced the new “Best Division Award,” which assesses divisions based on the performance of their training schools, aiming for fair evaluations that recognize unique challenges across divisions.

Aligbe also mentioned TRADOC’s broader initiatives, such as the 2024 TRADOC Educational Support Programme, which provided over 33,000 educational materials to more than 7,000 children at four schools within the Minna Military Cantonment.

He concluded by thanking the Chief of Army Staff for supporting TRADOC’s development, including the completion of the newly inaugurated Lt.-Gen. TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall.