Abuja, Nigeria – Troops of the Guards Brigade Nigerian Army have received a vital charge to maintain peak physical fitness through regular training, enabling them to effectively carry out their assigned tasks. The call was made by Major General Olusegun Abai, Deputy Director, Courses and Examination, Department of Army Training, Army Headquarters, during the closing ceremony of the Guards Brigade Nigerian Army Corporal and Below Inter-Battalion Drill Competition for the year 2023.
The four-day event, which commenced with a kickoff by Acting Commander Guards Brigade, Col Adebisi Onasanya on Monday, July 17, 2023, witnessed various activities, including Weapon Handling and Skill at Arms, a Cross Country marathon race, Map reading, and an obstacle course crossing competition held at the lungi barracks obstacle ground in Maitama, Abuja.
Participating units in the competition were the 7 Guard’s Battalion located in Lungi Barracks, Maitama; the 102 Guards Battalion located in Suleija, Niger State; the 176 Guards Battalion in Gwagwalada; the 177 Guards Battalion in Keffi, Nasarawa State; and the Guard’s Brigade Garrison, situated in the heart of the Federal Capital at Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro.
Major General Abai, the Special Guest of Honour at the event, lauded the Acting Commander and his team of officers for organizing the competition amid the nation’s myriad of security challenges. He stressed the importance of the selected training areas, which covered skill at arms, map reading, obstacle course crossing, drill, and a cross-country marathon race, as essential in keeping the soldiers fit, considering the Brigade and unit’s extensive areas of responsibility.
The senior officer emphasized that the prevailing security challenges in the country were dynamic and asymmetric, requiring personnel who are physically fit and operationally competent. He urged all commanders at various levels to maintain a high tempo of training to effectively combat the nation’s common enemies.
General Abai commended the troops for their exceptional performance, noting that the results of the competition showcased their high level of training and fitness to carry out various tasks. He also praised their outstanding team spirit, which significantly impacted the overall combat survival techniques of the units.
The event concluded with the announcement of results and the presentation of trophies and awards to deserving units and individuals who displayed remarkable performance during the competition. The 7 Guards Battalion located in Lungi Barracks, Maitama, emerged as the overall champion, while the 176 Guards Battalion in Gwagwalada and the 177 Guards Battalion in Keffi, Nasarawa State, secured the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
The Commander presented souvenirs to the Special Guest of Honour and the team of umpires led by Lieutenant Colonel DO Ogueri from the Department of Training and Programmes, Army Headquarters, as a token of appreciation for their support and contribution to the successful conduct of the competition. The Guards Brigade remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous training and preparedness to ensure the safety and security of the nation.
