The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has stressed the importance of physical and mental fitness among military personnel, saying well-prepared troops are essential for national security and effective service delivery.

Oluyede, represented by Rear Admiral Semiu Adepegba, made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Chief of Defence Staff Inter-Service Archery Competition in Abuja.

He noted that members of the Armed Forces must remain physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to meet the demands of their duties, adding that fitness is key to ensuring efficiency in service delivery.

The defence chief explained that the competition also promotes core military values such as integrity, precision, innovation, and excellence, while strengthening unity among personnel across the services.

He added that the event serves as a platform for selecting athletes to represent the Armed Forces of Nigeria in upcoming local and international archery competitions, while also contributing to operational effectiveness through non-kinetic initiatives.

At the end of the tournament, the Nigerian Army emerged overall winner with four gold, four silver, and three bronze medals. The Nigerian Navy came second, while the Nigerian Air Force finished third.

The annual competition is designed to enhance physical fitness, precision, and teamwork among personnel, while also serving as a selection platform for international military sporting events.