The Nigerian Army has urged young officers to make physical fitness and continuous training a personal culture, stressing that operational readiness cannot depend on occasional exercises.
Maj.-Gen. Kevin Ukandu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja at the closing of the 2026 Army Headquarters Garrison Combat Proficiency Competition.
Ukandu said the competition was designed to prepare young commanders for increasingly complex security challenges and strengthen their proficiency in areas including map reading, navigation, weapon handling, combat swimming, obstacle crossing and endurance.
He urged the officers to maintain regular exercise and training beyond institutional programmes, noting that the Army’s expanding responsibilities and ongoing operations required personnel who were physically fit, disciplined and consistently prepared for demanding tasks.
Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj.-Gen. John Lar, said the competition also strengthened leadership, teamwork, mental resilience and the warrior ethos among junior commanders. He urged participants to transfer the skills acquired to their formations and sustain the tempo of training.
The competition, which began on Aug. 17 after 10 days of intensive preparation, featured three teams drawn from Army Headquarters departments, commands and establishments in Abuja. Team Alpha emerged overall winner with 460 points, followed by Team Charlie with 460 points, while Team Bravo placed third with 430 points.
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