On Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga confirmed the temporary appointment of an Acting Chief of Army Staff, the first of its kind in the history of the Nigerian Army, to manage the affairs of the Nigerian Army until Lagbaja’s return from medical treatment abroad.
According to Onanuga’s statement, he hinted that Lagbaja may be away for an extended period.
Therefore, he said, Major General Olufemi Oluyede would now step in as acting Chief of Army Staff until Lagbaja returns from his medical treatment.
The statement reads, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Mr Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Maj Gen Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede was born on 21 June 1968 in
Ikere. He hails from Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Gen
Oluyede was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12th
September 1987, as a member of 39 Regular Course. Upon successful
completion of training, he was commissioned on 19th September 1992 as a
Second Lieutenant and was posted to Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. The
seasoned Infantry General has attended all courses commensurate to his
rank.
Maj Gen Oluyede has served in several Formations and Units of the
Nigerian Army. Some of them include Headquarters Sector 2 Operation
HADIN KAI as the Sector Commander, Headquarters 6 Division as General
Officer Commanding and currently Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as
the Commander Infantry Corps Nigerian Army.
Gen Oluyede has participated in several operations which include
United Nations Operation in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi,
and Operation HADIN KAI. He is a proud recipient of many honours and
awards. Few of them are the Grand Service Star, Corps Medal of Honour,
Field Command Medal and Field Training Medal. He is an alumnus of the
prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies. Gen Oluyede
is also one of the privileged few generals to have bagged the Chief of Army
Staff Commendation Award twice. At his leisure time, he enjoys reading,
playing badminton and travelling. He is happily married and the union is
blessed with 3 children.
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