By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted november 4th, 2024
Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede officially took over as Acting Chief of Army Staff today, November 1, 2024, at a ceremony held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. This event, attended by key military personnel, was presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa.
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In his address, Major General Oluyede expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with this critical role, especially during a period marked by significant national challenges. He called upon senior officers and the wider Nigerian Army to support and cooperate with his leadership in the ongoing efforts to address insecurity throughout the country. His goal is to foster a return to peace and promote economic stability across Nigeria.
Major General Oluyede underscored the importance of unity within the ranks, emphasizing that success in restoring peace and order requires the collaboration and commitment of all personnel in the armed forces.
“I was elected by the presidency in the announcements. My appointment as acting Chief of Army Staff is simply to outweigh Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and is a way to enable him to take sufficient time to get necessary medical attention and to prepare himself. And that’s what I intend to do for the whole of my house as well as the Constitution, as well as Mr. President, and by extension to my leader, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja that I’ve been mandated to stand for.
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“As we journey through this new period, I request that we all continue to pray for Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja’s speedy recovery and safe return to complete the excellent job we have started.” he said
He therefore pledged his unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his appointing authority in the person of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu.
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Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa noted that Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyedes selection was based on his vast knowledge of military leadership at all levels, character, and competence.
“You are a member of a larger team of professional soldiers who are serving with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by land, sea, and air as captured in our Constitution.”
General Musa tasked him to consolidate and improve on the course of his solidarity through Army Staff, international appeal, as well as past Chief of Army Staff in order to sustain the high level of professionalism, discipline, resilience, and regimentation that the Nigerian Army is known for all over the world.
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While congratulating him on his appointment, the CDS implore him not to rest on his laurels in assuring that he justifies the confidence imposed on him by the President, Commander-in-Chief.
“Your responsibilities are wide and varied and cannot be covered in this administrative note. This note is only an adversary to the procedure. The former Washington Chief of the New Responsibility and to guide him to relay pre-conditions and administering the affairs of the Nigerian Army.
The CDS therefore read out the Armed Forces Act A20, the Laws of Federation A2004. He said the powers conferred on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he has decided and directed and appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff with the full powers and responsibilities of the Chief of Army Staff until the President decides otherwise.
“So, for us, as professionals, we are to continue with our task ahead, with no gap to be left based on the challenges we have in the country. And it is in the wisdom of the President, Commander-in-Chief, that today we present the authority to the acting Chief of Army Staff for him to have full control and command of the Nigerian Army.
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“The President, Commander-in-Chief directed that Major-General Oluwede would act in the position of the Chief of Army Staff pending the term of the undisclosed authority of the Chief of Army Staff. This is in line with the provisions enshrined in the Armed Forces Act A20, the Laws of Federation A2004.
Parts 7, Administration, Government, and Command. Sections 18-1-4, Appointment of Service Chiefs, etc. Section 19, Vows of Command of Members of Operating Services, and Section 22-1 state as follows.
Parts 7, Section 18-1-4, Administration, Government, and Command, Appointment of Service Chiefs, etc. 1. The President may after consultation with the Chief of Air Staff and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly and appoint such officers in this Act as the Service Chiefs, and still speak in whom the command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force at the case may be, and their results shall be bestowed.
The Service Chief shall be known in the case of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff, in the case of the Nigerian Navy as the Chief of Naval Staff, in the case of the Air Force as the Chief of Air Staff, subject to the terms of appointment of the Service Chiefs, and subsequent directions as to the operational use of the Army, Navy, and Air Force as may be given under Section 8 of this Act.
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The Service Chief shall have the command, direction, and general supervision of the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively, and their replies. The President may before consultation with the Chief of the Air Staff consult with the Forces Council, but the question as to whether any consultation was held or what happened in the course of consultation shall not be inquired into.
Section 19. Powers of Command of Members of Operating Services. If so far the power of command depends on ranking a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or any of those Chiefs who is acting together with any of the Service Chiefs, he or she either would or would not his leave for any part thereof, or shall have the life power of a member of the corresponding rank of the respective Service. And for purposes of an Act or a mission relating to school subordination and life offerings, that member shall be treated as if he were a member of the corresponding rank of the respective Services.
Section 22. Regulation as to Command. The President may make regulations as to the person in whom command over the establishment and unit for any member thereof is vested, as to the circumstance in which command as a person is to be exercised, and to the generality of the public may instruct the regulations provided for the duties, functions, and powers of command and staff of the Armed Forces.
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The handover ceremony for the newly appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, took place today, November 1, 2024, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, presided over the event, formally handing over the Army Command flag to Major General Oluyede.
The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from all branches of the armed forces, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Policy and Plans Army, the Director General of Defence Development, Chief of Defence Space Administration, and several directors and senior officers from the three military services.
Prior to today’s handover, Major General Oluyede met with National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Defence Staff General Musa at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja on Thursday. President Bola Tinubu appointed Major General Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff, pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is receiving medical treatment abroad.
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Before his recent appointment, Major General Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps at Jaji, Kaduna. A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 39th Regular Combatant Course, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and has risen through the ranks, attaining the rank of Major General in 2020. His distinguished career includes various command, staff, and instructional roles, such as Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Company Commander, Brigade Commander, and General Officer Commanding.
Major General Oluyede has participated in numerous military operations, including the ECOMOG mission, Operation Harmony IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade and Sector 2. Throughout his service, he has received multiple honors and awards for his contributions in various operational fields.