House of Representatives Joint Committee on Army and Defence has begun screening the acting chief of army staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede.
Gatekeepers News reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wrote the Senate and House of Representatives requesting the confirmation of Oluyede as the substantive COAS on Tuesday.
Recall that Tinubu appointed Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30, following the prolonged illness of the former army chief, Taoreed Lagbaja who died on November 5.
Addressing the lawmakers, Oluyede said he has served the nation for over 30 years.
He said, “My exposure to national security issues in junior, middle and senior career has prepared me adequately for the assignment.”
“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.”
Chairman of the defence committee, Babajimi Benson advised the COAS to lead with integrity and prioritise the welfare of troops.
The lawmakers proceeded to an executive session after Oluyede’s address.
Oluyede was accompanied to the screening exercise by Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa and other senior military officers.
