The Nigerian Army Directorate of Physical Training (DAPT) having moved its headquarters from Zaria to Abuja, on Thursday unveiled the Sculpture of the late Major Salisu Ndakoji in recognition of his colossal contributions to the physical training of army personnel.
This was disclosed by retired Col. Anthony Asilue, a pioneer Director of DAPT, who was a Special Guest of Honour at the closing of the Directorate’s Officers’ Conference 2023 in Abuja.
According to Asilue, Ndakoji is a symbol of physical fitness in the Nigerian army, and one of the early officers in the Corps and then it was a training department, his picture was taken and moulded as if it's on a high horse, one of the things personnel use for exercise.
Asilue said, this is the origin of the job we do in the physical education.
He noted that the School, that is Army School of Physical Training is still in Zaria while the Headquarters Directorate of Army Physical Training moved to Abuja.
We have it at the school in Zaria, and now that we have moved the directorate’s headquarters here, another one is done here in commemoration of Nda. He retired as a Major before he died,” Asilue said.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of 2023 Directorate of Army Physical Training Officers' Conference 2023, the Acting Director of Physical Training, Brigadier General Olawale Fawole emphasised on the need for combat aerobics for training in small numbers, within a small space and for short duration for troops on operation which has become a central strategy.
He added that, the Directorate has resulted in the attainment of sports excellence by individual Nigerian Army sportsmen and teams.
At the closing ceremony, Lt Col Victor Kasai Tagwoi delivered a lecture on "Technical Competence in the Directorate of Army Physical Training, the issues challenges and way forward.
The Directorate of Army Physical Training Officers' Conference 2023 with the theme, “Enhancing the Capacity of DAPT for Improved Fitness of Nigerian Army Personnel in Twenty-First Century Operating Environment”, came to an end with some retirees of the Directorate in attendance.
