By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army on Thursday witnessed a seamless transition of leadership as Major General Waidi Shaibu formally assumed duty as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), following a colourful handing and taking over ceremony between him and the outgoing Chief of Army Staff, now Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The event, which marked another historic moment in the annals of the Nigerian Army, was attended by principal staff officers, field commanders, and other senior officers who gathered to witness the smooth exchange of command between two of the Army’s finest.
In his maiden address, the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, expressed profound appreciation to Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for his outstanding leadership, mentorship, and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army. He lauded the outgoing Chief’s sterling achievements, particularly in the areas of equipment procurement, infrastructural development, and the introduction of the “Soldier First” concept, an initiative that prioritized troop welfare, morale, and operational readiness.
Major General Shaibu pledged to build upon and consolidate the remarkable legacies of his predecessor while strengthening inter-agency synergy to enhance national security. He assured that his administration would undertake a careful review of the prevailing security landscape and respond decisively to emerging threats with renewed vigor and tactical innovation.
“I salute the courage, passion, resilience, and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” the new Army Chief stated, while reaffirming his commitment to improving operational efficiency and troop motivation.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finding him worthy of the appointment and pledged total loyalty to the President and the Constitution. To honour fallen heroes, the COAS led senior officers in observing a minute of silence for the repose of the souls of departed comrades.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff and newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the confidence reposed in him to serve the nation first as COAS and now as CDS. He extolled the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism, dedication, and selfless service to the country, urging them to extend the same loyalty and commitment to his successor.
“The mission remains the same, to ensure the security of lives and defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” he affirmed, while commending the new Army Chief as a competent and tested leader capable of sustaining the momentum of ongoing reforms and operations.
Earlier in his remarks, the immediate past Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, paid glowing tribute to Lieutenant General Oluyede’s exemplary leadership, describing him as a selfless and visionary leader whose tenure significantly enhanced the operational and administrative capacity of the Nigerian Army.
The ceremony featured the official signing of the handing and taking over notes, the decoration of the new Chief with the Army Headquarters insignia, an inspection of the Quarter Guard, and group photographs with principal staff officers and field commanders, all of which symbolized the smooth and professional nature of the transition.
With this historic handover, Major General Waidi Shaibu takes the helm as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, inheriting a legacy of courage, discipline, and resilience, while charting a new course toward greater operational effectiveness and institutional growth for the Nigerian Army.
