In line with the provisions enshrined in the Armed Forces Act Cap A20, the Laws of the Federation 2004, part 7 administration Government and Command section 18, 1 to 4, the newly appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede has assumed command today, 1st November, 2024.
The formal taking-over ceremony at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja was presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa.
In his acceptance remarks, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede sought for senior officers and Nigerian army personnel support and cooperation to succeed together in stemming all forms of insecurity currently being witnessed across the country and return the country to land of peace and economic prosperity.
Maj. General Oluyede thank President Tinubu for finding him worthy to be charged with the responsibility as the acting Chief of Army Staff in this particular peculiar and sober situation. "We find ourselves as a nation and an army.
"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.
"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.
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.
While congratulating him on his appointment, the CDS implore him not to rest on his laurels in assuring that he justify 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.
"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.
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.
SpyeTV News reports that the formal handover ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who formally handed over the Army Command flag to the acting Chief of Army Staff.
Present were the representative of Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of Defense Intelligence, the Chief of Policy and Plans Army, the Departmental Chiefs, the Director General of Defense Development, the Chief of Defense Space Administration, Directors from Defense and Nigerian Army, senior officers from the three services.
The newly appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, had on Thursday had a meeting with the the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Gwabin Musa at the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of Maj Gen Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff pending the return of the substantive COAS, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is undergoing treatment abroad.
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 traverse 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 27 Task Force Brigade and Sector 2.
Major General Olufemi Oluyede also earned several honours and awards for his meritorious service in diverse fields of operation.