Brigade Commander Marathon: Gov Fintiri Puts Smile on Athletes, Lauds Security Formations' Synergy

By Barnabas Augustine
16/9/2023

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has put smiles on the faces of security personnel athletes in Adamawa State who participated in the Brigade Commander, 23 Armour Brigade Yola Inter-Agency 25 kilometer Marathon Competion, with a donation of seven point four million naira for the competition and the participating athletes.

Governor Fintiri disclosed, at the Gibson Jalo Cantonment that five million naira is for the competition and each of the 24 competitors will go home with one hundred thousand naira aside the money prizes for the athletes who excelled.
The Governor lauded Nigerian Army tradition of conducting some training activities in the form of competitions at units and formation level and with other security agencies.

Saying that the practice would enhance the spirit of sportsmanship, cooperation and team work needed to jointly address the myriads of security challenges confronting the nation and Adamawa State in particular.

He emplored the Nigeria Army to sustain the tradition and urge that the collaboration be sustained to facilitate the attainment of a peaceful and secure socio-economic environment in Adamawa State and Nigeria in general.

While thanking the Chief of Army Staff, Major General T. A. Lagbaja for providing support for the Marathon Competition, he lauded the security for the peace achieved in the state.

 "Adamawa State is currently witnessing relative peace due to the dedication of the military and other security agencies in discharging their duties diligently and professionally", Governor Fintiri said.
"We wil continue to work with relevant stakeholders and the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of crime in the state are dealt with headlong.
"I assure the people of the State that my administration will continue to provide the needed support towards ensuring Adamawa State continue to witness seamless peace and security for people to enjoy the dividend of democracy".
Governor Fintiri thanked 23 Armour Brigade and other security agencies for the peace achieved in the State.

"The Government and good people of Adamawa State are indeed grateful to 23 Brigade Nigeria Army and other security agencies for your immense contributions to our efforts in achieving peace in the State", the Governor commended security agencies.

"There is no doubt that you all have played tremendous roles in stabilizing and achieving sustainable peace in Adamawa State."

"I therefore urge you to continue to consolidate on the gains so far made in curbing the activities of criminals who are hell bent on causing pain and hardship to the law abiding citizens of Adamawa State. 

"On our part, we will continue to call for sincere commitment of all stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence in the State'.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Brigade Commander 23 Armoured Brigade Yola, Brigadier General Muhammed Jibril Gambo, appreciated Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for honouring the command's invitation, saying that the Inter-Agencies Marathon Competition was organized in order to strengthened the existing collaboration between security agencies in the state .

He maintained that the engagement of the Nigeria Army in fighting terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed banditry requires continuous training and synergy between military and other para-military agencies in the state.

In the 25km Marathon Competition which all the Security Agencies in State participated, took off from Gibson Jalo Cantonment through AA Lawan Junction, NDLEA Junction, Shinko round about, Market Round About, Police Round About, back to AA Lawan Junction and terminated at the Gibson Jalo cantonment.
The first position who won N200,000 prize money was trooper Yakubu Hyella Paul of the Nigeria Army who ran 25km in 1:30.29 with an average speed of 277 metres per minute, while trooper Solomon Yakubu of the Nigeria Army emerged second position, went home with the money prize of N100,000 after running 25km in 1:30.40 and ASP Donald Salu of the Federal Fire Service came third position to win the cash prize of N50,000.

During the competition, there was  volleyball match between the Nigeria army and the Nigeria Air Force in which Nigeria Army defeated Air Force 2 set to 1. The two teams were rewarded each with N50,000.