About 150 soldiers Showcase Physical Fitness and Combat Readiness as Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army successfully hosted its 2025 First Quarter Inter -Unit Obstacle Crossing Competition in Abuja, underscoring the military’s commitment to physical fitness, combat readiness, and teamwork among its personnel.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya while welcoming participants emphasized the significance of the competition as a core training exercise designed to simulate real battle conditions.
He highlighted the event’s role in fostering teamwork, leadership, endurance, and discipline while enhancing the combat proficiency of participating units.
"This competition is one of the major training events of the Guards Brigade and is structured to match real-life battle conditions," said Brigadier General Onasanya. "It encourages teamwork, leadership qualities, physical endurance, and the spirit of camaraderie among personnel."
The Rigorous Training and Participation held quarterly as part of the Guards Brigade's training directive, the competition featured a series of physically demanding obstacle challenges, including:
Two-feet clay jump
Four-feet gate vault
Barbed wire crawl
Six-feet wall climb
Ramp climb
Ten-feet wall climb
Hand bridge
Tarzan rope
Six-feet bridge
Tunnel crawl
Vertical and horizontal rope challenges
The competition saw participation from multiple units, including:
7 Guards Battalion
102 Guards Battalion
176 Guards Battalion
177 Guards Battalion
Guards Brigade Garrison
The Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Training, Army, Major General A.S. Ndalolo, was represented by the Deputy Chief of Training, Major General Etsu Ndagi in his remarks stressed the importance of such training events in preparing troops for modern warfare.
"This competition is a testament to the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a robust and effective force capable of overcoming any challenge,"
"Military training is essential in preparing personnel for the complexities of modern warfare, aligning with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of consolidating transformation towards a well-motivated, combat-ready force."he stated.
He further emphasized that training in joint and multi-agency environments remains crucial for addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape. The 2025 Nigerian Army Training Forecast prioritizes operational readiness through key exercises and activities aimed at strengthening the force’s capabilities.
Competition Highlights and Winners
The competition tested participants' physical endurance, teamwork, and strategic thinking—key attributes for military operations. Participants were commended for their resilience and sportsmanship.
Individual Awards:
Best Senior Soldier Overall: Private Gift Onwumere
Best Female Officer: Lieutenant Etsu (Guards Brigade)
Best Junior Officer: Second Lieutenant F.C. Ominyi (Guards Brigade Garrison)
Best Male Soldier: Corporal Steven Ado
Best Male Soldier (7 Guards Battalion): A.A. Hussaini
Unit Rankings
1. First Place: 176 Guards Battalion
2. Second Place: Guards Brigade Garrison
3. Third Place: 7 Guards Battalion
The competition reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to combat efficiency, teamwork, and operational effectiveness, ensuring that personnel remain well-prepared for real-life military challenges.
