The commander of the Army Central Ammunition Depot Agunu (ACADA), Ernest Ineme, says warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) remain the backbone of every professional army.

Mr Ineme stated this on Monday, at the opening of the Guards Brigade warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers competition 2026 in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He said this category of personnel served as the vital link between commissioned officers and junior soldiers, playing critical roles in maintaining discipline, enforcing standards and mentoring subordinates.

According to him, warrant officers and SNCOs also provide the leadership and technical expertise required for successful military operations.

“Warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers constitute the backbone of every professional army.

“As the vital link between commissioned officers and junior soldiers, they play a critical role in maintaining discipline, enforcing standards, mentoring subordinates and ensuring the effective execution of military operations,” he said.

The senior officer said training remained the bedrock of military effectiveness and combat readiness, particularly in the face of evolving security challenges.

He described the competition as a strategic platform designed to strengthen resilience, teamwork, esprit de corps and operational readiness among participants.

According to him, military effectiveness is directly linked to the quality, frequency and effectiveness of training programmes.

“This competition is therefore more than a test of physical endurance and military skills.

“It is a platform for building resilience, fortitude, teamwork and esprit de corps, while enhancing the combat readiness of participants,” he said.

Mr Ineme commended the commander of the Guards Brigade, Adebisi Onasanya, for organising the competition, describing it as an initiative that would reinforce professionalism and strengthen the Nigerian Army’s fighting spirit.

He said the lessons and experiences gained from the exercise would significantly contribute to participants’ professional development and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Guards Brigade and the Nigerian Army.

Earlier, Mr Onasanya said the competition aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of building a professional, adaptive, combat-ready and resilient force.

Mr Onasanya said warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers occupied a unique and strategic position in the Nigerian Army due to their experience, leadership and commitment to duty.

According to him, they play vital roles in maintaining discipline, mentoring younger soldiers, supporting training activities and advising officers on operational and administrative matters.

“They also serve as trusted advisers to officers, contribute significantly to administration and logistics, and promote the welfare and morale of troops. Their contributions remain indispensable to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

The brigade commander said the competition would commence with weapon-handling and shooting exercises, while other activities would include combat walks, map reading, point-to-point navigation, and drill competitions.

He said the activities were carefully designed to test participants’ physical endurance, professional competence, discipline, and teamwork while promoting healthy rivalry and esprit de corps.

Mr Onasanya urged participants to compete with discipline, professionalism and sportsmanship.

“Let this competition strengthen the bonds of comradeship, resilience and teamwork that define our profession,” he said.

The completion drew soldiers from the four battalions of the Guards Brigade and the Garrison.

The participating battalions are the 7 Guards Battalion; 102 Guards Battalion; 176 Guards Battalion; 177 Guards Battalion; and the Guards Brigade Garrison.

They will be competing in weapon handling and shooting, map reading and point-to-point, and combat walk and drill in various locations with their areas of responsibility from Monday to Thursday.

The completion commenced with weapon handling and shooting at the Guards Brigade Shooting Range, Keffi. 

(NAN)