The 4th edition of Chief of Defence Staff, Half Marathon Championship tagged Abuja 2023 was on Saturday 9th December won in the male category by Chief Fire Assistant of the Federal Fire Service, Stephan Joshua while Pam Deborah of the NSCDC won the female category

The fourth edition with title, “Enhancing Security Agencies Cooperation through Sports”, saw Stephen Joshua of the Federal Fire Service going home with the Star Prize of a brand new Innoson Ikenga SUV after breasting the tape in 1 hour 8mins while Private Pam Deborah of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps with 1 hour, 22 mins 37 seconds took home the SUV for female category also donated by Innoson motors.

Other winners in the male and female categories were Private Gyang Irimiya from Nigerian Army (2nd position with 1hour 9mins 56 seconds, Auta Jigak from Federal Fire Service came 3rd with 1hour 10mins 12 seconds. In the female category Blessing Balis from NSCDC came 2nd with 1hour 23mons 50 seconds while John Patience came third with 1 hour,  23 mins 53 seconds.

Ir the veteran category,  Manga Mohammed from the Nigerian Army came first in the male category while Kareem Bolanle from NSCDC came first in the female category.

Other winners are MWO Ayuba Dahiru from the Nigerian Army came 2nd,  Chohu Abu from Nigeria Correctional Service came 3rd in the male category.  The female category has MWO PTI Momoh from the Nigerian Navy came 2nd in the female category. In team event, Nigerian army came first,  Nigeria Police Force came 2nd while Nigeria Air Force came 3rd position.

The regular marathoners covered a distance of the 21.1 kilometres for both male and female participants, starting from Duste Bus Stop Express way and terminating at the Sports Complex of Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment and 5 kilometres for veterans

In his remarks at the event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammad Abubakar Badaru, said the event aimed at forging cohesion amongst all security agencies for enhanced understanding and harmony of common efforts towards tackling the multi-dimensional Internal security challenges bedevilling the country.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Abubakar Kana, he said the occasion also provides a platform for the armed forces and other security agencies to interact with one another towards sustaining the good working relationship built and enjoyed over the years.

He highlighted the importance of physical fitness, saying, “It is physically and mentally fit personnel that make the difference in combat and internal security operations”.

He reiterated that physical fitness remains the cornerstone of troops combat readiness as it “keeps service personnel in the top physical state that enables them to carry out and achieve assigned tasks. Overall, physical fitness is the basis for service personnel, good health and physical well-being.”

“The current security challenges confronting our dear nation are enormous and thus call for synergy and cooperation amongst armed forces as well as all the security agencies in our country. This explains why engagements such as this championship need to be sustained and new ones introduced to facilitate mutual interaction amongst personnel” he added.

Chief of Defence Staff,  General Christopher Gwabin Musa in his remarks, urged the participating Services and Security Agencies to see themselves as members of a larger security family.

He said it is common knowledge that men of the Armed Forces and Security Agencies have in the past brought athletic glory to Nigeria through the number of international trophies they won.

“It is the desire of the Defence Headquarters under my watch, to restore the glory days and as resources permit this competition will continue to be an annual event”

“You are significantly indispensable in the implementation of the security architecture of the country. Though playing different roles and approaching your jobs with different strategies, in matters of national security, you must appreciate and protect each other as partners and co-stakeholders in the overriding task of securing our dear nation, “he said

The CDS said the Defence Headquarters will continue to project the excellent relationship with other Security Agencies and seek areas for more collaboration and enhancing synergy of efforts.

“I have no doubt in my mind that by building bridges of understanding through healthy competition, the efforts and sacrifices in defending the country from external aggression or internal insurrection, will be a lot easier. In the light of this, the Half Marathon Championship will be used as a testing ground for the Armed Forces and Security Agencies Games to bring out our best to represent us in International Competitions.” he stressed

“My regards goes to our revered and esteemed sponsors and media partners who have made their services and products available to us and making sure the objective of this event is achieved. Let me also thank our veterans serving and retired who have taken time out of their tired schedule to honour our invitation; we appreciate your sacrifices for the nation.”he said

The CDS continued, “This event is without doubt coming at a very auspicious time when relationship between the AFN and the security agencies is ultimately required to overcome the enormity of security challenges currently facing Nigeria

“The ability of sports and friendly competitions to foster this desired relationship can never be overemphasized thus our country and dear citizens will be the ultimate beneficiaries. This will also be a platform for participants to continue to build operational capacity that will enhance the peace and security of our dear nation.”

Present at the event were the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Corp Marshal of FRSC, Dauda Ali Biu, Commandant General, NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, the Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashid Akanbi, President of NAFOWA, Architect Mrs Abubakar among other dignitaries.