By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Personnel Management (Army), Maj.-Gen. Adewale Adekeye, has emphasised that only well-trained and prepared soldiers can succeed in modern warfare.
Adekeye stated this at the closing of the 2026 Corporals and Below Competition organised by the Guards Brigade, on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that training remained the bedrock of any professional army, particularly in peacetime, as it prepares troops for combat operations and reduces casualties.
“The battlefield only favours those who are prepared. Therefore, training must be realistic, continuous and purposeful,” he said.
The senior officer noted that corporals and below formed the backbone of the Nigerian Army, as they were directly responsible for executing critical combat tasks, including engaging and defeating the enemy.
He added that the prevailing security challenges required soldiers to maintain high levels of professionalism, adaptability and combat readiness at all times.
According to him, the competition, which featured events such as weapons handling, map reading, cross-country race and obstacle crossing, has significantly enhanced participants’ physical fitness, teamwork and combat survival skills.
Adekeye commended the Guards Brigade for sustaining the competition, describing it as a vital platform for improving operational efficiency and cohesion among troops.
He also noted that the role of the Guards Brigade had expanded beyond ceremonial duties to include the protection of the President, the seat of power and the Federal Capital Territory.
Adekeye urged the soldiers to remain vigilant, disciplined and committed to excellence, stressing the need for continuous training in view of evolving security threats.
He congratulated the 176 Guards Battalion for emerging as winners of the competition and encouraged other units to strive for excellence in future editions.
Adekeye reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional and combat-ready force capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, described the competition as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s training framework.
Onasanya said training remained a structured and continuous process aimed at enhancing performance, imparting new skills, and fostering personal and professional growth.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army places high premium on sustained training to build discipline, resilience and teamwork among troops.
“Given the complexities of modern warfare, the need for optimal performance cannot be overemphasised. This underscores the importance of maintaining high training standards,” he said.
The 176 Guards Battalion emerged overall winner of the 2026 Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition, clinching the top position with a commanding 390 points.
The competition tested endurance, discipline and operational readiness among participating units, with 102 Battalion placing fifth with 280 points, while Guards Brigade Garrison finished fourth with 290 points.
Individual soldiers also received awards for outstanding performance across different categories of the competition. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
