The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Army and Defence
has began screening Oluyede 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.
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