The Army Headquarters Garrison, on Monday commenced the 2025 Warrant Officers and Senior Non-commissioned Officers Competition to test their fitness and combat readiness.
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Army Headquarters Garrison, on Monday commenced the 2025 Warrant Officers and Senior Non-commissioned Officers Competition to test their fitness and combat readiness.
The competition is part of the training and exercises designed to enhance the physical fitness and combat efficiency of the soldiers of the Nigerian Army for the year.
In his remarks, the Garrison Commander, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, has emphasised the need for soldiers to build the necessary skills to survive and defeat the adversaries on the battlefield.
Dangana, who was represented by the Garrison’s Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Peter Elayo, said the competition was meant to build team spirit among the senior non-commissioned officers being the custodians of army tradition.
He said the event would help to increase their level of alertness, sharpen their skills, and make them more proficient in every area of soldiering.
The Garrison Training Officer, Brig.-Gen. Ndareke Orok, said the competition was designed to showcase their leadership expertise, resilience, and professionalism that defined them as a force.
Orok said the Nigerian army recognised the role of warrant officers and senior non-commission officers in a world where security challenges were ever evolving, adding that they remained the backbone of the army.
He said that their ability to lead, monitor and impart soldiers was essential to the success of the missions and the well-being of the various establishments, formations and units of the Nigerian army.
“This competition is not just a test of individual skills, it is a celebration of the collective strength, knowledge and dedication that you all bring to the table.
“Over a few days, you will engage in drill, weapon handling, map reading, point-to-point navigation, swimming and obstacle crossing.
“You will also engage in physical fitness tests and range shooting.
“This variety of events that will push the limits of your physical capability, tactical proficiency and strategic thinking, are designed not just to assess your performance, but to reinforce the bond of teamwork and collaboration that are the hallmark of our army,” he said.
Orok urged them to remember some of the core values of leadership, integrity and respect for one another, which defined them as an army.
According to him, win or lose, what matters most is our commitment to learning from each experience and supporting one another as we strive to become better, both as an individual and as an army. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)