…solicits support to tackle security challenges

By Tola Gbadamosi

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS), Major General Olufemi Oluyede, on Friday, 1st November 2024, assumed duty at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

The Ag COAS was appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, 30th October 2024, pending the return of the substantive COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently on medical leave.

This was disclosed by Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachuku, the Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement made available to The Hope.

Major General Olufemi Oluyede expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment and prayed for the speedy recuperation of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He also solicited support from all personnel of the Armed Forces and Nigerians in general to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country. He pledged his loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Until his appointment, Major General Olufemi Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna.

“A member of the 39th Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyede was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General in September 2020. His illustrious career traverses various command, staff, and instructional appointments such as Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Company Commander, Brigade Commander, and General Officer Commanding, amongst several other appointments.”

“He has participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade and Sector 2.”

Major General Olufemi Oluyede has also earned several honours and awards for his meritorious service in diverse fields of operation.

At the formal taking-over ceremony at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, emphasized that the appointment aligns with the Armed Forces Act of 2004.

General Musa stressed that the Armed Forces could not afford to let insecurity prevail and called for support for the acting COAS in his new role.

He reminded all field commanders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to the Armed Forces and the tasks at hand, urging them not to relent in guaranteeing national security and the safety of all Nigerians.

The highlight of the event was the formal handover of the Army Command flag by the CDS, General Christopher Musa, to the Acting Chief of Army Staff.