Over 2,000 soldiers and officers of the Guards Brigade, Abuja drawn from its battalions in ine the federal capital territory, Nasarawa state and Suleija, jioned by NYSC members and military personnel from other establishments in the FCT on Thursday embarked on the over two hours Ascent of Aso Rock on Thursday.
Commander Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, Col Adebisi Onasanya who led senior officers and Commanding Officers of battalions to climb the about 3,000 metres high and rugged Aso Rock described the annual ascent as a ritual for renewal of strenght for troops of the Presidential Guards Brigade
Onasanya while addressing troops at the top of Aso Rock said, “Every year we do this and our moral is very high when we get to the summit of Aso Rock. It is a renewal of strength for us in Guards brigade and we look forward to it from the beginning of the year.
“As we are executing our activities we always have it at the back of our minds that we are ending it here and here we are this year 2023 successfully at the summit of Aso Rock and we are happy that we conquered the rock once again.
He charged the troops to brace up for more work while ensuring absolute loyalty to the President and Commander in Chief in 2024.
His words, “”In 2024, I expect absolute loyalty to the President and also for everybody to know that as officers and soldiers of Cuards Brigade, our loyalty is absolute without looking back and our activities both operational and ceremonial and all other responsibilities, we’ll discharge them without looking back.
Continuing he said, “Training is one of the cardinal point of the chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy and for that what we have done to mark the end of training circle for the year is the ascent of Aso Rock.
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“It is very significant for us because if we don’t do this, it’s as if we have not succeeded in executing our training calendar for the year.
“So climbing the Aso Rock gives us a sign of fulfillment that we have executed our activities for the year.
The Chief scorpion as he is popularly called used the medium to also warn the bad eggs in the society to stay clear from the Federal Capital Territory and it’s environs while assuring them of the readiness of Guards Brigade and units under command to deal decisively with those ready to foment trouble.
He also called on law abiding citizen to celebrate with love as the season is about peaceful, love and care.
Col Onasanya further appreciated all the participants present particularly members of the sister security Agencies who turned in solidarity for participating in the very challenging but interesting adventure.
High point of the exercise was the presentation of souvenir to outstanding individuals who despite the difficulty, ascended with high moral exhibiting high quality leadership ability, strength and agility which is required for uptimum performance.
 Members of various security agencies from the Nigerian Air Force, Department of States Service, Fire Service and paramilitary as well as Media organisations within the Federal Capital Territory were present
The Exercise was well attended by Commanding Officers of various Units under command who led their men in high moral to conquer the Rock as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps, Barracks children including NMS Boys on festive break and lover of adventures.
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Several youths, boy soldiers of Nigerian Military School, NMS and holliday makers seized the opportunity and woke up as early as 5 an to assemble at the Guards Brigade Garrison parade ground to take part in the Aso Rock Ascent
The Batralions that participated at the ascent were the 7 guards batralion, 102 guards batralion, 177 battalion, 176 battalion, Guards Brigade Garrison as well as the physical teaining department of Army headquarters
