The Nigerian Army on Monday marked the assumption of office of Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede as the 24th Chief of Army Staff with a symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The event, steeped in military tradition, signified the formal commencement of Lt.-Gen. Oluyede’s tenure following his confirmation by the Senate and House of Representatives.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers and other dignitaries.
President Bola Tinubu had appointed Oluyede in an acting capacity on 30 October, following the death of his predecessor, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja.
On 1 November, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, handed him the insignia of office in a manner described as “unusual” but aligned with the Armed Forces Act.
Speaking during the ceremony, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede expressed his readiness to build on the legacies of his predecessors.
“The task ahead is enormous, but I am committed to ensuring that the Nigerian Army continues to deliver on its constitutional mandate,” he said.
Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, aged 56, previously served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps, Jaji, Kaduna. He was a coursemate of the late Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja, both of whom were members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Having been commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date from 1987, Oluyede rose to the rank of major general in September 2020.
Military officials present at the ceremony described him as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in operations and administration.
They expressed optimism about his ability to lead the Nigerian Army effectively in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
The symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag was described by attendees as a poignant moment, signifying continuity and the hope of progress for the Nigerian Army under new leadership.
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