” The most important thing I learned is that Soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow ” – General Colin Powell.
Nearly all leaders can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him a battle. This very word fit into the compass mind under which the character of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has evolved. In the war against remnants of terror, banditry and other violent crimes in Nigeria, his leadership qualities stood out the most.
With this treatise, with this article, a reflection on the qualities of a Quintessential Gentleman and a Soldier’s Soldier begin…. His name, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS, Nigerian Army).
Many will agree with the General in the very manner of summing up his philosophy, a passion for excellence is contagious and uplifting. Passion cuts both ways. In creating passion in his own life and with those he cares for. General Olufemi Oluyede wants to feel, experience and live every emotion and passion of his work. And such that he had determined to suffer through the bad for the heights of the good. Here, is a story of a General and the Chief of Army Staff, starts as one of the very few who as the head, has witnessed war… Real war, and unlike many others, has triumphed.
The war, i am referring to, is not even just a war, not just a battle, but a war with a difference, the war on enablers of violent crimes and and their collaborators with as much of a political barking.
Such a country President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited, such is also the circumstances General Olufemi Oluyede inherited as the 24th Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army.
Violent crimes in Nigeria has many arms and appendages including but not limited to banditry, kidnapping etc. But the most dangerous reality about this violent crimes is perhaps it’s political arm, of which any army is not going to be so equipped to deal with by the book and neither by their training. It is not uncommon to see a scenario play out. That a decision be made at the very top of our security agencies and within minutes, such intricate policy decisions made in secrecy is already known to the criminals. Many times, this criminals will be waiting in ambush to intercept personnel carrying out a mission regarded as a maneuver and tactics. This leak were mostly done by some politically exposed individuals who are aiding and abetting this criminal elements.
This situation and many of such, the Army Chief has had to face since his appointment as the COAS, Nigerian Army.
To say the truth, General Olufemi Oluyede has succeeded where some others have failed in tackling the ever difficult challenge of tackling the political arm of this violent criminals. And we must say where we have a volatile mix of politics and religion, a very serious challenge ensures. But not insurmountable as the Nigerian Army under General Oluyede has succeeded in locating, arresting and decimating the support system of this criminal elements.
As the General himself has demonstrated, in the military, he has learned the essence of the people. He has learned to be impartial.
In General Olufemi Oluyede, we have seen so many examples of self sacrifice and moral courage, even taking the battle to every nooks and crany of the Country. Today the people of the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and all other parts of the Country, sleep peacefully in their beds at night, only because noble men like General Olufemi Oluyede and his gallant soldiers stand ready to defend their liberties on their behalf.
There’s no doubt that, General Olufemi Oluyede’s core values that emanated from professionalism and responsiveness includes training, regimentation, welfare, operational exigencies, logistics, inter agencies cooperation and observation of human rights obligations.
On human rights obligations, the Nigerian Army under General Oluyede has continued to sustain relationships with human rights bodies, the Army engages them as partners rather than rivals in the internal security operations. The Nigerian Army leadership has been able to close the gap with the civil populace and the civil society organizations.
Also lauded by Nigerians are the Nigerian Army open dialogue with partners like the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC), The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Red Cross Society and also the Human Rights Writers Association and others.
No doubt, General Olufemi Oluyede has decided to undertake the transformation of the service as a priority. The training in the Nigerian Army has been modified with the use of latest technologycal advancement.
Our Soldiers are now well motivated than ever, they are getting required support as at when due, General Olufemi Oluyede cuts the image of an uncommon Soldier, tough on battlefront but gentle as a dove on the home front. He has the pedigree of being a torn in the flesh of insurgents, insurrectionist and other enemies of Nigeria. He’s a, Soldier’s Soldier, gallant, resourceful, courageous and humane.
He has brought laughter to many faces, enhanced the development of many communities across Nigeria through the Nigerian Army Civil Military legacy projects.
For all it is, the Nigerian Army under General Olufemi Oluyede, though in the throes of few security challenges, has remained resolute and committed to maintaining the territorial integrity of our borders as well as keeping the nation and our democracy safe.
Perhaps, the highly celebrated journalist, ” Don Yeager” had the likes of General Olufemi Oluyede in mind when he said; ” Sometimes legends find themselves remembered more for what they have not done than for their accomplishments”.
Today, it is no longer in doubt that the Nigerian Army under General Olufemi Oluyede is more than ever be committed to its constitutional responsibilities. It is therefore, not out of place to state that General Oluyede has lived to expectation and Nigerians are proud of his leadership.
This article was written by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.
