The House of Representatives has on Thursday approved Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff.
This is coming after a screening on Wednesday by the Joint Committees on Defence and Army in Abuja.
The committee’s Chairman, Babajimi Benson, submitted the report during plenary and urged the House to confirm Oluyede; a prayer granted at the session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
NPO also reports that President Bola Tinubu had in a letter sought for the confirmation of Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff.
Presenting the report for consideration, Benson said the committee believed that the Oluyede has the quality to lead the Nigerian Army.
“On the 26th of November 2024, the Parliament graciously appointed us to screen the acting Chief of Army Staff. We did that yesterday, we reviewed his CV, and we questioned him on various issues which included inter-agency synergy, and civilian-military relationships.
“Our observation is that Gen Oluyede is fit and proper and gave a very good account of himself.
“In conclusion, we request that the House approve his appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.”
The committee’s new commendation said: “The ad-hoc committee carefully and thoroughly engaged with the nominee for the position of Chief of Army Staff and was satisfied with his academic and professional qualifications, exposure, conduct, character, experience, and general performance.
The ad-hoc committee also observed that he displayed a wide knowledge of tactics and military operations as exhibited during his acting capacity.
“Consequently, the ad-hoc committee does hereby recommend that Lt. Gen. Oluyede be confirmed as the Chief of Army Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, having successfully undergone the screening process of the committee.”
President Bola Tinubu had appointed Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30 following the illness of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5. Shortly after Lagbaja’s demise, Oluyede was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general.