Opinion: Lt General Olufemi Oluyede ; A Quintessential Gentleman and a Soldier’s Soldier.

By Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

” 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 backing.

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.

IDOGUN PROGRESSIVE UNION VISITS COMMISSIONER AJANAKU, SEEKS DEVELOPMENT FOR OSE LGA

The Idogun United Association, Akure branch, has paid a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku, expressing joy and gratitude over his appointment into the state executive council.

Speaking during the visit, the President of the association, Mr. Sunday Agbotoba thanked God and Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for finding one of their own worthy of appointment after nearly five decades. He recalled that the last time Idogun produced a commissioner was 49 years ago, when the late Dr. Olasehinde served as Commissioner for Works shortly after the creation of Ondo State.

The president noted that Ajanaku’s appointment represents an opportunity to attract development to Idogun town and Ose Local Government Area as a whole. He expressed hope that by the time the commissioner leaves office, his name would be written in gold alongside other great sons and daughters who have brought pride to the community.

In his response, Hon. Ajanaku appreciated the association for sustaining the unity and progress of Idogun over the years. He recalled with nostalgia his formative years in the town, noting that his late grandfather was among the founding fathers of the association. He likened his appointment to the biblical story of Moses, describing it as a divine call to serve and deliver development to his people.

The commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to using every available opportunity to advance Idogun’s growth. He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for recognizing Idogun with key appointments, including the LCDA chairman, a commissioner at the Civil Service Commission, and his own role as a cabinet member. He revealed that the governor has graciously approved 5km of road construction for each cabinet member, which he has already ceded to Idogun.

Ajanaku assured that at the end of his tenure, Idogun would witness visible transformation. He also urged all sons and daughters of the town, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite and work together for the collective progress of the community.

28 Million Housing Deficit: Harmony Gardens’ HOME Scheme Offers Fresh Hope For Nigerians

Nigeria’s housing crisis continues to deepen, with experts estimating a deficit of over 28 million units. Reports has revealed that the country builds far fewer than the 700,000 homes required annually over the next two decades to bridge this gap. Mortgage financing remains another major challenge, as less than 5% of Nigerians currently access mortgages due to high interest rates, limited repayment tenure, and bureaucratic hurdles in land administration.

However, hope is emerging through innovative public–private collaborations. At the BHD2024 Summit, attended by over 9,400 housing and finance stakeholders, Harmony Gardens & Estate Development Ltd, under the leadership of Hon. (Dr.) Audullahi Saheed Mosadoluwa, popularly known as Mr-Ibile, unveiled an ambitious model designed to change Nigeria’s homeownership narrative.

From its Lekki Aviation Town project, which started as bare land and has now grown into a thriving estate with over 500 housing units completed as of July 2025, Harmony Gardens launched the “Home Ownership Made Easy (HOME)” scheme in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing.

The HOME scheme introduces a simplified mortgage structure that allows Nigerians to secure a home with just 10% initial deposit, move in after paying 30% of the cost, access up to ₦50 million from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) at single-digit interest rates.

This bold approach stands in sharp contrast to Nigeria’s conventional mortgage system, where interest rates hover between 32% and 38%, locking millions of families out of affordable homeownership.

Already, the results are encouraging as 3,495 Nigerians in the Diaspora have received homeownership counseling through the scheme. 232 families also have fully completed their purchase and will move into their homes by October. Another 1,091 families without wasting time have made informed commitments with just 10% deposits, awaiting federal mortgage disbursements.

The Harmony Gardens model highlights several critical takeaways for addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, such as hybrid Financing Works, Pairing private capital with low-cost government funding improves affordability. Lower Interest Unlocks Access, moving from double-digit to single-digit mortgage rates drastically improves repayment feasibility. Financial Literacy is Key, buyer education and counseling empower families to make sustainable decisions. Flexible Repayment Matters, tenure extensions of up to 20–30 years make homeownership viable for middle and low-income earners. Reforms are Urgent, state-level adoption of pro-mortgage laws, land registry reforms, and foreclosure frameworks remain essential. PPP Models Scale Faster, Public–Private Partnerships can deliver large-scale solutions, as seen with Harmony Gardens and similar African initiatives.

Looking forward, Harmony Gardens plans to deliver 10,000 homes for 18,000 families within the next five years, a bold initiative that could serve as a national housing template. Its success demonstrates what is possible when visionary developers, financial institutions, and government agencies align toward a shared mission.

As Nigeria grapples with its housing crisis, this model offers more than just hope, it presents a blueprint for affordable, inclusive, and sustainable homeownership.