The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to work with other stakeholders in the security operatives to bring lasting peace to Nigeria if confirmed as the substantive COAS by the National Assembly.
Oluyede stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Defence and Army. The screening was held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday.
The acting COAS while answering questions from the House stressed the need the collaborative efforts in tackling the security challenges.
According to him, the security environment in the country today requires a united effort on the part of every Nigerian.
Oluyede also called for strong bilateral and multilateral alliances with neighbouring countries. He stated that there is the need for deep collaboration and joint efforts by the services and other security agencies.
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 November 15, 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 to 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 we 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 am glad that this administration of His Excellency Bola Tinubu is on the right path. And is providing the enabling security environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive. And to restore our dear country to the path of pride and success,” he said.
The acting COAS stated the need for the employment of sophisticated military equipment in the fight against insecurity.
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.”
Oluyede noted that there is robust cooperation between Armed Forces. He said, “If confirmed, I intend to enhance this to ensure that Nigeria has better security. And better socio economic development.
source: Channels TV
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
