The Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Mongonu (Rtd) has said closer working relationship among security agencies is critical for synergy of efforts in securing the country.

Maj-Gen. Mongonu said this at the just concluded Third Edition of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Armed Forces and Security Agencies Half Marathon Champion where three brand new cars, a Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Salon and an SUV Jeep were presented to marathoners who emerged overall best marathoner/first male, first female and first veteran.

The NSA, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event held in the Sports Complex of Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, stated that the needed physical and mental alertness of the security personnel is being enhanced through the marathon race, adding that the event will also promote cordiality, understanding, jointness and efficiency among the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The NSA, whilst congratulating the winners for investing extra energy and effort to emerge proud winners of the laurels and star prizes commended the entire athletes for a successful completion of the race.

He pointed out that the determination and commitment displayed by the sport men and women during the road race, was a true reflection of the operational readiness of security agencies towards combating security challenges.

The NSA used the occasion to commend the CDS for his initiative in making the athletic event a reality. He urged heads of other security agencies to emulate the noble initiative to foster understating and closing working relationship among security agencies.

Earlier in his remarks, the CDS, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin said the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) under his leadership would continue to leverage on the annual sporting event to promote comradeship in order to improve on the efficiency and delivery of security agencies.

Gen Olonisakin said the DHQ was committed towards developing the capacity and skill of the sport men and women in the Armed Forces. This, he explained was to restore the glorious days where military athletes were representing and winning laurels for Nigeria at international sporting events.

The CDS, whilst acknowledging the role of DHQ in projecting excellent relationship among the various security agencies with a view to further seeking other areas of collaborations, urged the participating security agencies to always work towards the full implementation of security strategies.

He added that they constitute an indispensable component of the larger security community. He thanked the sponsors for partnering with DHQ for the success of the entire event.

CA II Gideon Goyet of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) clinched the star prize of a Toyotal Yaris 2018 Model for emerging the overall best and first position in the male category in a new record of 1hour 11minutes, 56 Seconds, while NSCDC’s Deborah Pam and Ayuba Dahiru of the Nigerian Army (NA) both went home with the Hyundai and the Innoson SUV Jeep for clinching the first positions in the female and veterans’ categories.

Also in the male race, the 2nd and 3rd positions were won by Emmanuel Gyan from the NSCDC and Gyong Dalyob of the NA, whilst the female categories were won by Akusho Lydia and Nancy Mathew of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

The 2nd and 3rd positions in the veteran category were clinched by Clifford Omoghiborn of the Nigeria Police (NP) and Dansebe Shehu of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Army (NA) came second and third in the team categories.

The over 250 athletes who participated in the event comprised of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Airforce, Nigeria Police and the Department of State Service (DSS).

Others were the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Federal Road Safety Commisson, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Fire Service. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) equally participated in the road race.

The distance for the regular athletes which cover 21.5 kilometres started from the Public Service Institute at Dei – Dei along Kubwa Express way, whilst the Veterans athletes were able to cover 10 kilometres with the starting point at Tipper Garage, along Kubwa Express way. Both the regular and veteran athletes ended their race at the Sporting Complex in Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment.

The Championship was graced by heads of security agencies.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai participated and successfully concluded the 10 Kilometre veteran race. (PRNigeria)

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