The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of Nigerian Army (NA) troops and ensuring the safety of Nigeria and its citizens.
Lt Gen Oluyede made this pledge on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, during the formal handover of the Infantry Corps leadership to his successor, Major General Abdulkalifa Ibrahim. The regimented ceremony took place at the Infantry Corps Headquarters, Jaji, Kaduna State.
Lt Gen Oluyede, who was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 30, 2024, previously served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps. Speaking at the event, he described Maj Gen Ibrahim as a capable and dedicated senior officer, expressing confidence in his ability to continue advancing the Corps’ legacy. He urged officers and soldiers to extend their full support and cooperation to his successor.
The Acting COAS also thanked the Nigerian Army for its overwhelming support during the recent burial of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja. He prayed for eternal rest for the late COAS and strength for his family to bear the loss.
Addressing the troops at the Major Bulama Parade Ground, Lt Gen Oluyede encouraged them to move past the recent loss and rededicate themselves to tackling insecurity in the country. “Deal ruthlessly with criminal elements undermining our security. Your welfare remains a top priority. I am aware of your challenges and will address them. Rest assured, you will get what is rightfully yours,” he emphasized. Maj Gen Ibrahim expressed honor in taking over the command of the Infantry Corps from Lt Gen Oluyede, commending his predecessor for implementing transformative initiatives and overseeing key infrastructural developments. He pledged to lead with integrity, courage, and dedication, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism.
“To my fellow infantry officers and soldiers, your sacrifices, resilience, and bravery define our traditions. I urge you to continue embracing the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, discipline, selfless service, respect for others, and courage,” He also encouraged proactive efforts to collectively address security challenges while maintaining pride in the Corps’ rich heritage.
A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim hails from Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State. Over his distinguished career, he has held several key positions, including Acting Garrison Commander (1 Division), Commander 14 Brigade, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, and Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Ndjamena, Chad.
His commendable service has earned him national and international recognition, including the Officer of the Order of the Republic (OFR) award by Nigeria and the National Order of Chad (NOOC) for his contributions to peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin.
Concluding his visit, Lt Gen Oluyede inspected ongoing projects within Jaji Military Cantonment and visited the Command Engineering Depot in Rigachukun, Kaduna. These activities underscore his dedication to enhancing operational capabilities and infrastructure for the Nigerian Army
