Major-General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the acting Chief of Army Staff, with his official duties commencing on Friday, November 1, 2024.
The assumption ceremony is anticipated to be brief and will take place at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Daily Trust reports that Oluyede’s appointment was made by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, pending the return of Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently unable to fulfill his duties.
This appointment follows a recent statement from the Defence Headquarters, which asserted that the role of an acting Chief of Army Staff is not recognized within military protocols, referencing the Harmonised Armed Forces Act.
Read also: Tinubu names interim army commander as Lagbaja remains absent
The statement indicated that Major-General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, has been providing routine briefs to Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja during his absence.
Additionally, a formal notice was issued by Chris Erondu, a Group Captain acting on behalf of Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information.
The notice confirmed that the handover ceremony for the newly appointed acting Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Olufemi Oluyede, is scheduled for 10 am.
The announcement highlighted the significance of this transition within the military structure and the expectations surrounding the upcoming ceremony.
