) Maj.-Gen. Ifeanyi Otu, Director, Policy, Planning and Research, Defence Space Administration (DSA), has urged the Nigerian Army to sustain combat training to enhance operational readiness.
Otu made the call on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the 2026 Guards Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition.
He said that continuous training remained the cornerstone of military professionalism and the foundation of operational success.
The DSA director said that a well-trained force was better positioned to respond effectively to emerging threats, adapt to changing operational realities and accomplish assigned missions.
“ The more you train in peacetime, the less you bleed in war,” Otu said, stressing the need for realistic, progressive and continuous training.
According to him, training equips officers with the knowledge, confidence, tactical judgment and leadership qualities required to command troops under demanding conditions.
Otu commended the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, for sustaining the competition despite the Brigade’s operational, ceremonial and administrative commitments.
He said that the exercise demonstrated the Brigade’s commitment to professionalism, combat readiness and operational excellence.
Otu said that the competition would test participants on key military competencies, including physical fitness, map reading, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, skill-at-arms and shooting.
He said that the exercise would sharpen professional competence, resilience and confidence while strengthening officers’ capacity to operate effectively in conventional and contemporary operational environments.
The special guest urged participants to approach the competition with determination, discipline and healthy rivalry while upholding professionalism and placing safety above personal ambition.
He said that the true value of the competition was not only in winning but also in improving individual and collective capacity to accomplish future operational tasks.
Earlier, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Onasanya said the competition was one of the Brigade’s key training activities aimed at enhancing officers’ physical fitness, tactical competence, sound judgment and leadership qualities.
He said that the exercise would also strengthen teamwork and reinforce the warrior ethos expected of every Nigerian Army officer.
Onasanya said that events lined up for the competition included a 15-kilometre combat run, map reading, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, skill-at-arms and shooting.
He urged participants to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The commander also directed all personnel involved to strictly observe safety requirements during the exercise.
He expressed confidence that lessons from the competition would enhance the Brigade’s operational effectiveness and strengthen the professional capacity of its officers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition commenced with an obstacle-crossing event at the Brigade’s Obstacle Course, Lungi Barracks, Abuja, with 7 Guards Battalion emerging as winner.
176 Battalion and Guards Brigade Garrison finished second and third respectively. (NAN)
