Command Day Secondary School (CDSS) Ikeja has emerged as the overall winner of the 81 Division Inter-Command Secondary Schools Sports Competition 2026, held from February 10 to 12 at the General Tukur Yusuf Buratai Sports Complex in Lagos. The three-day sporting event brought together five Command secondary schools under the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, with students competing in various track and field events designed to test physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship. CDSS Ikeja clinched the top position after delivering a series of outstanding performances marked by discipline, resilience and competitive spirit. Command Secondary School Ojo finished second, while Command Day Secondary School Oshodi secured third place. Command Secondary School Lagos and Command Day Secondary School Bonny Cantonment placed fourth and fifth respectively. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, charged the students to uphold the values of integrity, resilience and teamwork as they return to their respective schools. The ceremony was held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai Sports Complex inside the General T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Lagos. Addressing Commandants, students and invited guests, the GOC expressed gratitude for the successful hosting of the competition and commended participants for their exemplary conduct throughout the tournament. He noted that the sports complex had been transformed into a vibrant arena of youthful energy and athletic excellence, as students demonstrated remarkable physical prowess and discipline. “I stand in admiration of the dedication, commitment and exemplary conduct displayed by every competitor. Your behaviour, both on and off the field, has been a testament to the values of integrity, respect, fairness and team spirit, which the Nigerian Army holds dear,” he said. The GOC emphasised that while rivalry in sports can be intense, the friendships and bonds formed during competition are enduring and invaluable. “True victory is never measured by the medals we get in this competition, but by the connections we have made and the mutual respect we demonstrate to each other under pressure,” he added. He urged the students to carry forward the lessons of perseverance and discipline gained during the competition, describing them as lifelong virtues that would guide their future endeavours. Also speaking, the Acting Director of Education Services (DDES), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Olatoke Olubo, commended the students for their resilience, discipline and sportsmanship. She lauded the collective efforts of officials, students and spectators, noting that beyond the medal tally, the competition showcased the strength of character and determination of the young athletes. “Let us forget about the scoreboard and listen to the rhythm of the hearts of these athletes. What we witnessed was not just about who crossed the finish line first, but the breaking of boundaries through prowess, strength and resilience,” she said. According to her, the competition was more than a physical contest, describing it as a glimpse into the future of sports development in Nigeria. Senior officers present at the event also applauded the students’ efforts and encouraged them to apply the lessons of teamwork and determination to their academic and future careers.
CDSS Ikeja Emerges Overall Winner at 81 Division Inter-Command Schools Sports Competition
