Army task soldiers on physical fitness, professionalism, tactical soundness
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hilary Nzan, says physical fitness, tactical prowess, and professional discipline are non-negotiable pillars for every soldier’s operational success.
Nzan said this on Monday at the opening of the 2025 Guards Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (WO/SNCOs) Competition, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, 4 Special Forces Command, Brig.-Gen. Murtala Abuh, he said that operational success of every soldier starts with the readiness of the body, mind, and mission focus.
He added that in view of this, there was the need for personnel to remain physically fit, tactically sound, and professionally grounded.
The commander emphasised the importance of continuous physical and tactical training, especially in the face of complex security challenges bedevilling the nation.
According to him, this competition couldn’t have come at a more critical time than now that the Nigerian Army has remained at the forefront of the country’s efforts to secure peace and stability.
“The annual competition, which brings together WOs and SNCOs from across the Guards Brigade, is designed to sharpen critical military skills, reinforce unit-level cohesion, and assess leadership efficiency.”
Nzan explained that the competition was in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s transformation agenda to “Develop a Well-trained, Highly Motivated and Combat-effective Army Capable of Operating in Joint and Multi-agency Environments”.
He noted that WOs and SNCOs were the backbone of the army, adding that their capabilities could be built in a realistic, structured environment through competitions like the ongoing one.
“This aligns with the broader goal of the Nigerian Army ensuring operational effectiveness in all theatres of operation,” he said.
He extended appreciation to the COAS for his unwavering support and provision of resources for the competion, and reaffirmed the Special Forces’ loyalty to the army’s leadership and national defence objectives.
Earlier, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, said that the competition was a critical part of Nigerian Army’s training development programme for 2025.
Onasanya, represented by the Chief of Staff, Col. Abdulrahman Bello, noted that the competition was a platform for personnel to demonstrate their skills, physical fitness, and leadership under realistic military conditions.
He also said the competition would feature a range of physical and tactical challenges including weapon handling, marksmanship, leadership drills, and organisational exercises, all intended to strengthen combat capabilities and inter-unit cooperation.
“The competition is expected to culminate in the selection of the best-performing units and individuals, with assessments based on strict criteria across the various exercises.
“This event not only fosters esprit de corps but also helps build strategic decision-making and resilience in our troops,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were drawn from the four battalions of the Guards Brigade comprising 7 Guards Battalion, 176 Guards Battalion, 177 Guards Battalion and Guards Brigade Garrison.
NAN also reports that the event included drill, endurance races, weapon handling, navigation, obstacle crossing, and swimming. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
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