Guards Brigade Concludes Corporal Below Competition As 7 Guards Battalion Emerges Winner

Guards Brigade Concludes Corporal Below Competition As 7 Guards Battalion Emerges Winner

In line with Headquarters Nigerian Army Forecast of Events and Guards Brigade Training Directives for the year 2025, the Brigade has concluded the 2025 first quarter Corporals and Below Competition.The 4-days event kick-started on Monday, 14 April 2025 with Obstacle crossing competition, which was followed by Weapon Handling and Map Reading in day two, day three had Combat run and day four which is the last day, ended with Drill Competition, marking the closing ceremony.

The Special Guest of Honor, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, Chief of Personnel Army, in his closing remarks noted that he is quite happy that corporals and below are being trained in order to meet up with the standard of training expected of all formations and units in the Nigeria Army. Especially in the area of physical fitness, combat survival, and team spirit, particularly among troops of the Brigade.

General Yahaya further said he is aware that this competition has tested the competitors’ skills in marksmanship, map reading, obstacle crossing, and cross-country endurance. These are essential combat proficiencies that will serve you well in the ever-evolving operational environment. It is important to highlight that the role of the Guards Brigade has expanded significantly beyond presidential security and ceremonial duties. In addition to safeguarding the President and the seat of power, you now bear the crucial responsibility of securing the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. These are duties that would undoubtedly test your level of professionalism, adaptability, and combat readiness. In the light of evolving threats, you must, therefore, continue to train and retrain as mastery in warfare is never static.

He further urged them to remain vigilant, disciplined, and committed to excellence for the

battlefield favours only those who prepare relentlessly. As it is said, training is the lifeblood of every professional army. For the Nigerian Army,continuous and realistic training is not just a necessity. It is an obligation. The security

challenges facing our dear nation demnand nothing less than excellence from every one of us

and especially so for our corporals and below, who form the bulk of our fighting force.

The Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, earlier in his welcome address, noted that training is a structured process designed to enhance performance, impart new skills, and foster personal growth. In the Nigerian Army, training is an ongoing endeavour that cultivates excellence,discipline, physical fitness, combat resilience, and teamwork among troops.Given the complexities of modern warfare, soldiers must perform optimally,underscoring the need for top-notch training. As training methods evolve, it is essential to develop fundamental soldiering qualities like high morale, initiative, and physical fitness. Achieving the Nigerian Army’s training standards requires rigorous physical fitness and mental toughness training.This competition has been an excellent opportunity for our troops to demonstrate their skills, and I am proud of their accomplishmets.

Brigedier General Onasanya commended the Commanding Officers for their efforts towards ensuring that troops were equipped physically and mentally towards achieving the desired objectives of the competition while urging all participants to imbibe high standards of discipline, alertness and readiness of the respective participating units

He added that the competition which is also in line with the Chief of Army Staff Philosophy,which is “To consolidate the transformation of the 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”. The spirit of this command philosophy resonates with us in Guards Brigade and it has been well extended to Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition.

At the end of the competition, 7 Guards Battalion emerged the overall champion with a total of 450 points, 102 Guarda Battalion clinched the second position with a total of 430 points while Guards Brigade Garrison came third with a total of 410 points, 176 and 177 Guards Battalions came 4th and 5th with a total of 370 and 340 points respectively

The high point of the competition was the presentation of trophies and prices to the competing units and individuals as well as presentations of souvenirs to invited guests and group photographs.