President Tinubu To Senate: “Confirm Lt General Oluyede as COAS”

By Adesina Soyooye

Barely one week after the funeral of late Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has forwarded the name of his replacement to the Senate for confirmation.

It is no surprise that the mantle fell on  Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, the man Tinubu appointed as the Acting COAS, and promoted to be of equal rank with Lagbaja – Lt General – even before Lagbaja died.

Oluyede has been described by a number of people as capable and disciplined and tough.

Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Communications, in a statement, confirmed that President Tinubu’s letter to the Senate, which sought for Oluyede’s confirmation, was forwarded on Friday.

He said the President’s  action was in accordance with Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

Oluyede was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5.

The statement said President Tinubu expressed confidence in “Oluyede’s leadership qualities, professional integrity, and extensive experience, which he believes will help lead the army and ensure national security and stability.”

Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992 and promoted to Major-General in September 2020.

Oluyede has held numerous command positions throughout his career, including Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.

He, said the statement, had participated in several operations –  Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force.

He is, also, a recipient of several awards. They  include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, the Field Training Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

Before Lagbaja’s death, the late COAS had recommended Oluyede to the President for a National Award.