President Bola Tinubu on Friday sent a letter to the Senate seeking confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive chief of army staff.

Mr Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Friday.

Mr Onanuga explained that in the letter, the president is seeking Mr Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provisions of Section 218 (two) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18 (one) of the Armed Forces Act.

Mr Tinubu appointed Mr Oluyede as the acting army chief on October 30 following the sickness of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Mr Lagbaja died on November 5.

Mr  Tinubu expressed confidence about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Mr Oluyede in leading and inspiring the army to ensure national security and stability.

Before he was appointed acting army chief, Mr Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, like his predecessor, served as the 56th commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and rose to major general. in September 2020. Since his commissioning as an officer, Mr Oluyede has held many command positions.

(NAN)