The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani (GCON), has congratulated Lieutenant General Olufemi Olusola Oluyede, mni, on his appointment as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nnamani described the appointment as both timely and providential, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what he termed “rare discernment and statesmanship” in selecting a leader of Oluyede’s calibre to head the nation’s Armed Forces.
He said the new CDS’s elevation represented “a match between calling and competence, between trust and talent.”
“General Oluyede’s military career reads like a chronicle of dedication, discipline, and duty,” Nnamani said, noting his distinguished service in ECOMOG operations in Liberia, the Bakassi Peninsula mission, and the North-East theatre under Operation Hadin Kai.
Nnamani praised the new Defence Chief as a “commander and thinker” who combines intellectual depth with operational brilliance.
“You have exemplified the ethos of a true soldier courage in adversity, composure in command, and conscience in service,” he stated.
Highlighting Oluyede’s status as a proud alumnus of NIPSS, the former Senate President said his appointment reinforced the institute’s values of “service through knowledge and leadership through vision.”
“Your appointment rekindles confidence in merit, professionalism, and character as the enduring pillars of national leadership,” Nnamani added.
He expressed confidence that the new Defence Chief’s tenure would strengthen synergy and cooperation among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, fostering unity and strategic coordination in addressing national security challenges.
Concluding, Nnamani said;“On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire NIPSS community, I salute you as a symbol of excellence, courage, and service to the nation. May your stewardship usher in a new dawn of discipline, integrity, and patriotic commitment in Nigeria’s defence architecture.”
