The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has committed to establishing lasting peace in the country if confirmed to a permanent position.
He made this statement during his appearance before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Defence and Army at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday.
Oluyede emphasized that the current security challenges facing the nation demand a unified response from all Nigerians.
He also advocated for robust bilateral and multilateral partnerships with neighboring countries, alongside enhanced collaboration and joint efforts between the military services and other security agencies.
Read Also: Tinubu Appoints New SSA
He said, “I am honored this evening to be considered worthy to play a part in these efforts and I look forward to contributing my utmost best by working with the National Assembly and other stakeholders in bringing lasting peace to the length and breadth of our dear country Nigeria.
“I humbly appear before you today to be confirmed as the 24th Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army simply because tragedy befell our Army and Armed Force, and as a nation in total when the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja passed after a brief illness.
“Although before his passing, I had been appointed by Mr. President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed, to act in his place pending his expected full recovery and resumption of duty as the Chief of Army Staff then.
“After Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s demise and state funeral on 15 November 2024, Mr. President, in his wisdom, found me worthy to fully continue the excellent job the Army has been doing here and get confirmed by the National Assembly.
“I have served this great nation as an officer of the Nigerian Army for over 30 years. My exposure to national security issues at the junior, middle, and senior cadres of the military profession has prepared me adequately for the assignment I am being screened for here today.
“In the past five years or thereabout, I have operated at the senior operational and management levels of the Nigerian Army and I have somewhat been part of the running of the service in its entirety.
“Thus, I cannot completely distance myself from the successes or setbacks of our great army in the past couple of years. However, I see my nomination as the Chief of Army Staff as a privileged opportunity to be in the driver’s seat and bring about more positive changes to the Nigerian Army to enable it to fulfil its
constitutional responsibilities.
“Thus, if confirmed by this joint committee and given the common mandate to lead the Nigerian Army during this period, I promise to do my best to justify the confidence imposed in me by the appointing authority which is His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the confirming authority which is you members of the National Assembly and the generality of Nigerians.
“Let me underscore that the security environment will find ourselves as a nation requires a united effort on the part of every Nigerian. We also need strong bilateral and multilateral alliances between our country and our neighbors, as well as deep collaboration and joint efforts by the services and other security agencies.
“I a’m glad that this administration of His Excellency Bola Tinubu is on the right path to providing the enabling security environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive and restore a dear country to the path of pride and success,” he said.
Read Also: EFCC Takes Yahaya Bello Back To Custody As Court Adjourns Trial [VIDEO]
He also stated the Nigerian Army requires tactical aircrafts.
He said, “Aircrafts have different strata of employment. We have the tactical and the strategic strata of employment. Now the air support that we require as an army is the one at the tactical level, whereby the aircraft should be ready at the force during operations, the combat operations, at the tactical level, while the air force, being the main players in that sphere, are to give us strategic cover. So we require those aircraft and the air wing to support our operations,” he said.
He stated that there is strong cooperation between the Armed Forces and emphasized his commitment to strengthening this collaboration to ensure improved security and enhanced socio-economic development for Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, noted that Nigeria continues to face an evolving array of security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and cyber threats.
He highlighted that, for over a decade, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have played a crucial role in addressing these challenges, conducting numerous operations, and providing critical support to internal security efforts.
While acknowledging the significant progress made in recent years, he stressed that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve lasting peace throughout the country.
“The current dynamics of global security demand innovative and adaptive strategies. Threats are no longer confined to traditional battlefields; they now extend to cyberspace, economic domains and even the socio-political fabric of nations.
“In light of this, we must prioritize a forward-looking approach to national defence, ensuring that our military is well-equipped and adequately trained to address both conventional and emerging threats,” he said.
He emphasized that their task went beyond evaluating the nominee’s qualifications and vision for the role of Chief of Army Staff; it also involved creating a collaborative strategy to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
As a key partner in the effort to secure and advance the nation, he reiterated the House’s unwavering commitment to providing legislative oversight and supporting the Armed Forces.
Benson highlighted that the House would continue to establish the necessary legal frameworks, advocate for sufficient funding, and monitor the execution of appropriations to ensure accountability and transparency in military operations.
He underlined the significant responsibility attached to the role, stressing that the Chief of Army Staff must lead with integrity, professionalism, and a profound dedication to safeguarding lives and property.
“If confirmed, you will be expected to foster synergy among security agencies, prioritize the welfare of troops and uphold the trust of Nigerians. This committee will ask questions that reflect the concerns of our constituents and the nation as a whole. We urge you to provide comprehensive and candid responses to guide our deliberations.
“In closing, I wish the nominee the very best during this screening exercise. Your role is pivotal in Nigeria’s journey toward lasting peace and stability and we look forward to working with you to achieve this goal. “
Benson stated that the results of the screening exercise would be reviewed and presented to the House in the plenary session on Thursday.
For More Information And News Update, Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
