Borno Camp Orientation Broadcasting Service
•Drill is very important in Nigerian Army – Major P. Macaulay
•The drilling competition is to bring out discipline in corp members – NYSC State Coordinator
The National Youth Service Corps on Thursday held an inter-platoon drilling competition as Platoon 9 topped others as the overall winner of the competition in Borno State temporary Orientation Camp, Babbar-Ruga, Katsina State.
While addressing the corp members, the Camp Coordinator, Mallam Nura Umar asserted that the drilling competition is to bring to the front burner the discipline in corp members after the three weeks orientation course.
The inter-platoon drills competition has men of the Nigerian Army as the Judges, while Captain Y.A Muhammed served as the Chief Judge, Warrant Officers Abdul and Mohammed T. were the Co-Judges.
According to the Chief Judge, marks were to be allotted based on some criteria before the winner, second runner ups and the first person from the rear would emerge.
The criteria according to him include: Inspection -20 marks; Slow Match -10 marks; Eyes right – 5 marks; Eyes front -20 marks; Breaking into 2 – 10 marks; Halt -20 marks; Few Order -10 marks; Three Hearty Cheers -10 marks; Parade Commander 100marks. He said the total scores be divided by 3 equalling the total percentage.
In his opening address, The State Coordinator said: “Today marks the inter-platoon competition which is in line with the timetable of the NYSC scheme. Today, you’re to display what you’ve been undergoing over time. From what I have seen over time during your training, I’m confident every one of you has done wonderfully well. The essence of this competition is to appreciate teamwork which is one of the fall-outs of the drill. When you have harmony, there’s always a good habitation. Moving forward, I urge you all to be team players so that you can be successful people in life. I hereby declare this competition open.”
Presenting his opening remarks, the camp commandant, Major P. Macaulay stressed that the competition is to “differentiate the corps to the Barnabas”. He added that drills are very critical in the Nigerian Armed Forces most especially the Nigerian Army.
He said: “Today is your platoon competition where we’ll be differentiating the corps to the Barnabas. This competition aims to bring out the discipline in you and most importantly your reaction to the words of command. Drills are very important in the Army and that is the beauty of the job. I believe most of you will want to join this honorable and esteemed profession after the orientation course. I wish all the platoons the very best but we must always have the best.”
However, After the inter-platoon drilling competition, Platoon 9 was announced winner while Platoon 1 (Second Position), and Platoon 10 (Third Position) emerged as the Second Runner-Ups.
The Chief Judge, meanwhile, announced platoon 6 as the first position from the rear, while the Best Overall platoon commander emerged from Platoon 1.