The Chief of Personnel Management (Army), Major General Adewale Adekeye, has stressed that only well-trained and properly prepared soldiers can succeed in modern warfare.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Odunola Olawuyi Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations Headquarters Guards Brigade said Adekeye made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition. He described training as the bedrock of any professional army, noting that continuous and realistic training in peacetime is essential for operational effectiveness and casualty reduction.
“The battlefield only favours those who are prepared. Therefore, training must be realistic, continuous and purposeful,” he said.
He highlighted that corporals and below form the backbone of the Nigerian Army, as they are directly responsible for executing critical combat tasks. He added that current security challenges demand high levels of professionalism, adaptability, and combat readiness.
Adekeye noted that the competition, which featured activities such as weapons handling, map reading, cross-country race, and obstacle crossing, has enhanced participants’ physical fitness, teamwork, and combat skills. He commended the Guards Brigade for sustaining the exercise and described it as vital to improving operational efficiency and cohesion.
He also emphasised the expanded role of the Guards Brigade, which now includes protecting the President, the seat of power, and the Federal Capital Territory. He urged troops to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, while congratulating 176 Guards Battalion for emerging overall winners.
In his remarks, the Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, described the competition as a critical component of the Army’s training framework. He reiterated that sustained training is key to building discipline, resilience and teamwork, especially in the face of evolving security challenges.
The 176 Guards Battalion clinched the overall first position with 390 points, ahead of other participating units in the competition.
