by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation ENDURING PEACE (COPEP), Major-General Folusho Oyinlola, has successfully hosted the First Peace and Unity Inter-Tribal 17-Kilometre Race in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The initiative serves as a core component of the military’s non-kinetic strategy designed to mitigate insecurity, foster communal harmony, and strengthen civil-military relations.
The race brought together a diverse group of youths representing every tribe residing within Mangu Local Government Area. This was also aimed at transforming the local landscape into a theatre of “athletic camaraderie,” rather than conflict.
Major-General Oyinlola emphasized during the event that sports served as a “universal language” capable of transcending ethnic, religious, and social boundaries.
He noted that the race reflects a sustained commitment to conflict management and peace-building across Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area (JOA).
The Commander further urged all participants to carry the values of teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect into their daily lives, asserting that peace is the essential foundation for any meaningful developmental progress.
The event was further highlighted by the participation of an 11-year-old runner, who completed the 17km Race, symbolizing the resilience and hope of the younger generation.
Recognizing this extraordinary feat, the Liaison Director on Security to the Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Ziphion Chrysanthus Terkop, announced full secondary school scholarships and cash rewards of N100,000 each for the 2 youngest participants, aged 11 and 13, respectively.
He added that the gesture underscores Government’s commitment to rewarding courage and investing in the future of the youth in Plateau State.
Also, in a show of tangible support for the winners, Major-General Oyinlola presented cash prizes of N200,000, N150,000, and N100,000 each to the First, Second, and Third-place finishers, respectively, in both the male and female categories.
Consolation prizes were equally given to participants, who came Fourth-to-Tenth positions in both categories, as well as the oldest participant, beyond the 17-kilometre race.
The Commander also took a decisive step to support the local economy and administrative infrastructure, as the farming season approaches, by distributing fertilizers to local farmers, in order to ensure food security and productivity.
Speaking also, Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Hon Bala Mwolpun, expressed profound gratitude to the military leadership for restoring stability to a region once engulfed in conflict.
While pledging to sustain the gains of this peace initiative, the chairman appealed for continued troop’s presence to safeguard farmers against potential threats during the planting season.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander Sector 8 Operation ENDURING PEACE, who is also the Commanding Officer CIB XII, Lieutenant-Colonel Ofem John Ofem, reiterated that the competition was about more than just physical endurance.
He described the race as a clear demonstration of the collaborative spirit the military continues to nurture in the region, stressing that by engaging the community through sports, the Command aims to replace the memory of past communal conflicts with a new culture of physical fitness and social harmony.
The Commander also commissioned a newly-constructed Office Block for the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XII (CIB XII) in Mangu.
The new facility, which includes a Commanding Officer’s Office, an Operations Centre, and a Medical Outpost, is designed to enhance the operational efficiency and response capabilities of troops stationed in the area.