By Eric Moore
THE General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation Delta Safe, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has harped on the physical fitness of personnel in protecting critical national assets in the Niger Delta region.
He spoke at the 6 Division two-day Inter-Brigade Swimming Competition 2025 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.
The GOC 6 Division, Nigerian Army, who spoke through the Chief of Staff 6 Division, Brigadier General Emmanuel Adamu, said it is important to ensure the personnel are physically fit at all times against criminalities in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
He said the ongoing 6 Division Inter-Brigade Swimming Competition is not only a testament of the athletic ability of the soldiers, but also a critical reflection on the operational readiness and effectiveness.
Major General Emekah said the competition was in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command and philosophy, which is to consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities within the joint and multi-agency environment.
He insisted that as soldiers of the 6 Division, who are the guardians of the nation’s vital assets within the South-South region of the country, they were tasked with securing critical national assets and infrastructure in the oil and gas sector.
The GOC continued that the soldiers must develop their physical and tactical abilities to be able to deliver on the mandate of protecting the oil and gas infrastructure, as well as prevent other criminalities within the joint areas of operation (JOA).
He said: “In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare, and, indeed in our Joint Area of Operations (JAOs), the ability to navigate and thrive in riverine environments is crucial.
“As soldiers of this Division, you are the guardians of our nation’s most vital asset within the South-South region of the country, tasked with securing our critical national assets and infrastructure in the oil sector of the country.
“Therefore, we must develop our physical and tactical ability to be able to deliver on our mandate of protecting the oil and gas infrastructure and preventing other criminalities within the joint operations environment. This is in line with the COAS command philosophy, which is “To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that Can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”
Earlier, the chief host, Commander 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, said the competition marked significant occasion to showcase the team work of personnel of Nigerian Army.
Ahmed said the competition will prepare the troops’ operations, especially within areas of South-South region.
He stated: “This competition is not merely an event, but a vital opportunity to develop more skills to navigate and drive the riverine operations, especially the one we finds ourselves operating on in the South-South region of Nigeria.”