Soldiers must remain mission-ready at all times – Commander
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQGARR), Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to maintain mission ready soldiers at all times through continuous training.
Dangana stated this at the closing of the AHGARR Warrant a officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition 2025, on Friday in Abuja.
He said the competition underscored the importance of the senior non-commissioned officers to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian army.
He commended the participants for the display of precision during the drill competition, the skill and marksmanship at the shooting range, and the tactical awareness during navigation exercises.
The commander also hailed them for the strength and endurance shown in swimming, obstacle crossing, and combat race.
According to him, these activities mirror real battlefield scenarios and are essential in preparing our soldiers to remain mission-ready at all times.
“From what I have seen and witnessed today, and of course, over the few days of this competition, there is no doubt that the competition has actually achieved a purpose for which it was meant.
“The competition is actually in line with the Chief of Army Staff Command philosophy, which is the consolidation of the transformation of Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment,” he said.
“The participants completed drill competitions, shooting, navigation, swimming, and combat races, which concluded today and this morning with obstacle crossing.
“These are not mere competitive exercises, they are the core of our soldiering ethos, representing the skills, discipline, endurance, and mental alertness that define the strength and reliability of our armed forces,” he said.
The Commander said the senior non-commissioned officer had demonstrated exceptional level of commitment, resilience, teamwork, and regimentation throughout the event.
He said their efforts had strengthened the bond within the garrison and reinforced the vital role they play in upholding standards, enforcing discipline, and mentoring young soldiers.
Dangana urged all competitors to carry forward the lessons learned, continue to build on them, and remain worthy role models for the soldiers under their command.
He congratulated the winners for their outstanding performance and congratulated others not to relapse, but to work harder for future competitions.
“Let us remember that the goal is not only to win trophies, but to build capacity, promote esprit de corps, and improve the readiness of our troops for any eventuality.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition commenced on Monday with three teams drawn from AHQ Garrison area of responsibility.
At the end of the competition, Team Alpha (A) emerged overall winner with 380 points, Team Charlie (C) came second with 280 points, while Team Bravo (B) came third with 180 points. (NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
