Reps panel screens Oluyede as new army chief

The house of representatives joint committee on army and defence has began screening Olufemi Oluyede, acting chief of army staff (COAS).

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu wrote the senate and house of representatives requesting the confirmation of Oluyede as the substantive COAS.

Tinubu appointed Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30, following the prolonged illness of Taoreed Lagbaja, the former army chief.

On November 5, Lagbaja died of an undisclosed illness. The president subsequently promoted Oluyede to the rank of lieutenant-general.

Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th commander of the infantry corps of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna state.

He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1992 and rose to the position of major general in September 2020.

Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th regular course.

Addressing the lawmakers, Oluyede said he has served the nation for over 30 years.

“My exposure to national security issues in junior, middle and senior career has prepared me adequately for the assignment,” he said.

“In the past five years, I have served at the senior and management level in the Nigerian Army and I have somewhat been part of the running of the service in its entirety, thus I cannot completely dissolve myself from the successes and setbacks of our great army.

“I see my nomination as a privilege and opportunity to be in the driver’s seat to make positive changes to the Nigerian Army to enable it to fulfil its constitutional responsibility.”

Babajimi Benson, chairman of the defence committee, said the COAS must lead with integrity and prioritise the welfare of troops.

Following Oluyede’s address, the lawmakers moved into an executive session.

Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, and other senior military officers accompanied Oluyede to the screening exercise.