By Eshanakpe Israel
Who is afraid of Major-General Olufemi Oluyede leading the Army to build a stable nation? Who is intimidated by the excellent credentials of the man described as a nation-builder and a military professional expert? Who is afraid of a workable, peaceful and united Nigeria where citizens see themselves as people of one indivisible nation and not those who attack the forces that keep Nigeria one? These are some of the questions troubling the minds of many patriotic Nigerians, following the mixed reactions that greeted the appointment of the 56-year-old Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff in the absence of General Taoreed Lagbaja who is indisposed.
Oluyede whose appointment was recently announced by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading an army and consolidating on the success achieved by the institution under Lagbaja.
Politicians should not take advantage of the ignorance and poverty of the majority to plant anarchy in the minds of the people. Those afraid of his appointment are promoters of violence and protagonists of military rule, which is an archaic and worst form of government. With this appointment, the Army has one of its best foot forward, and Nigerians hope to work with him, irrespective of tribe.
For those of us vast in unconstitutional security matters, we shall join hands with the Army to defeat criminality plaguing our nation. It is time the military institution drew out a plan to engage youths in the war against crime. The national orientation should be stepped up for a new Nigeria to evolve just like the President is doing; every citizen must contribute to the development and growth of our nation. It is time divisive elements stopped using social media to de-market Nigeria. Yet, these same people crave development in the Nigerian state. This is, to say the least, unfortunate.
Major-General Olufemi Oluyede is well qualified for the position. He was a member of the 39th regular course and commissioned as an officer in 1987. Aged 56, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General in September 2020. A professional and top-notch security expert, he brings a lot of hope and inspiration to younger officers as acting chief of Army Staff.
His appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to stand in for the ailing substantive General Lagbaja, is a welcome development and one of the best by this administration yet. Although divisive elements, conflict entrepreneurs, anarchists, and cynics sang their usual ethnocentric sentiments shortly after his appointment was announced, to whip up sentiments among the populace, they have failed in their parochial tendencies.
Most of those fanning the embers of sectional interests forgot or deliberately and blindly went ahead with their shameful acts of misinformation, misdirection and lies to drive home their desire to stir crisis in the Army, an institution that has no consideration for ethnicity, tribalism, creed or colour but absolutely and resolutely standing on the iron cast pillar of an invisible and inalienable nation.
The appointment of General Oluyede is the best and the way to go. He leads a constituency where he had held sway from his youth with his fellow compatriots, serving his father’s land conscientiously. Before his appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede shares a long history with General Lagbaja, who is also a high-flying officer trusted to the position of authority by dint of hard work, track record, and excellent service to the nation. Both are members of the 39th Regular Course and were commissioned as officers in 1987.
Oluyede’s meritorious career began as a Platoon commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, advancing to Company commander at 177 Guards Battalion and later Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade and commandant of Amphibious Training School.
Oluyede has been part of many notable operations, including the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade. He has received honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, and Grand Service Star, all recognition for passing the Staff Course and membership in the National Institute, and his dedication and achievements in service.
Mischief makers who want to stoke ethnic divisions have gathered over the appointment of a soldier’s soldier to cast aspersions on the political system, wilfully attacking the Army to drive home sentiments, ignorant that armies the world over are devoid of ethnic consideration. The Nigerian Army is an indivisible entity and no amount of vilification of the President can break its bond of unity.
As the acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede has the responsibility to lead an army that will administratively manage the institution, consolidate on the success achieved by General Lagbaja and his team to mop up remnants of insurgents, bandits and the ragtag army in the North, and dismantle the janjaweed ethnic militias in the Southeast to bring peace in the country.
Politicians should refrain from putting their interests before the national good because they failed to achieve their aims. There is so much anger and hatred in comments about national affairs which can never heal a broken nation in need of redemption. We have a President poised to reset the country in national colours and it would be a serious disservice to give parochial meaning to wider intentions, especially with the Army, an institution to be respected, honoured and removed from narrow thinking.
Politicians and naive citizens find it convenient to call on the army; they tend to be ethnically balkanised to take over power. Well-meaning Nigerians must resist this as our democracy, however wobbling, is better and more desirable than any system that renders the majority voiceless. The military must remain a stand-alone institution for a nation to maintain its sovereignty and national strength.
Antagonists of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration should give the administration some credit instead of attacking and demonising the President on any appointments or policies made. Tinubu, in the appointment of Oluyede, saw merit and excellence against the lopsidedness of opposing forces. His motivation was professional, national, and not ethnic consideration. Nigerians should learn to unite before the choice of its national leadership and the country would be better for it. A true restoration of the country’s dreary fortunes begins with a change of mindset and the superior mentality of the opposition. There have been enough distractions in the polity. This is the time for all hands to join and build a stronger nation of patriots.
Traditional institutions, particularly in the South-south geo-political zone, are being mobilised to give their loyalty and solidarity to the acting chief of Army Staff to wage unrelenting war against criminal elements in the regions and beyond. This administration stands on the collective aspiration of all Nigerians who rise against nepotism, racketeering, corruption, clueless leadership, and wastefulness in governance. Nigerians desire good governance established on a solid pillar of a sustainable national economy being put in place by this administration.
• Israel, a former Niger Delta militant and Mayor of Urhoboland, writes from Warri, Delta State
