The Senate has confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
Oluyede was confirmed on Wednesday, less than an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the National Assembly complex under tight security.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while welcoming the nominees, said the screening was a constitutional duty to ensure that only capable and patriotic officers are appointed to defend the nation.
Akpabio said, “Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for the years of dedicated service you have rendered to our great nation.”
He explained that the exercise formed part of the Senate’s oversight function to uphold discipline and professionalism in the armed forces.
“Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity,” Akpabio added.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs. The letter, read by Akpabio on Tuesday, listed General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
The Senate, which had initially scheduled the screening for next week, brought it forward to Wednesday to enable the new military chiefs to assume duty without delay.
