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President Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff.

Oluyede will stand in for the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is sick.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

“Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

“The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.

“He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.

“Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

“General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.

“Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.

“Others are the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal.

“Oluyede also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

“He is married and has three children,” the statement said.

It should be noted that Lagbaja was appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.

He replaced Faruk Yahaya.

Over a year into the Gaza war, Israel’s military reservists are experiencing exhaustion, and the army faces challenges in recruitment as it opens a new front in Lebanon.

Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli army has mobilized approximately 300,000 reservists, with 18 percent of them being men over the age of 40 who would typically qualify for exemption. Mandatory military service begins at 18 for Israeli men and women, though certain exemptions apply.

Israel is currently engaged in a multi-front conflict, targeting Hamas in Gaza and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the launch of its ground offensive in Gaza on October 27 last year, Israel has lost 367 soldiers in Gaza and 37 in Lebanon, where it began ground operations on September 30.

Reserve duty periods have been extended, with some reservists voicing frustration over prolonged absences from their normal lives—up to six consecutive months in some cases. Reservist Ariel Seri-Levy expressed the strain in a widely shared social media post, saying, “We’re drowning.”

Having been called up four times since the October 7 attack, Seri-Levy also spoke out against those pushing for Israel to remain in Lebanon and Gaza. “We have to end this war because we are out of soldiers,” he said, adding that while he still believes in national service, “the concessions have become too great.”

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, in his capacity as head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), was seen visiting polling stations across Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, on Wednesday to observe the country’s general elections.

Jonathan shared the update on X (formerly Twitter), where he confirmed his early start on Election Day alongside other AUEOM members. In his message, he expressed optimism for the elections, emphasizing the importance of the democratic process in Botswana.

“Out early on Election Day in Botswana, we, as members of the African Union Election Observation Mission, visited some polling stations in Gaborone, the nation’s capital city,” Jonathan wrote, underscoring the mission’s role in supporting fair and transparent elections on the continent.

The October 30, 2024, elections mark Botswana’s 13th general election since the country gained independence in 1965. With a legacy of political stability and peaceful transitions, Botswana’s elections are viewed as a key event in reinforcing its democratic principles. Jonathan extended his best wishes to the people of Botswana, or Batswana, as they take this step toward furthering their nation’s democratic tradition.

“We wish Batswana a successful outing as they seek to further consolidate the nation’s vibrant democracy,” he added.

The Nigerian Senate has begun screening seven newly nominated ministerial candidates following a recent reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu.

The nominees include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Others are Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development; Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing; and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.

At 12:57 p.m. on Wednesday, the Senate suspended its rule, following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, to allow the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, to introduce the nominees to the plenary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had previously read the President’s letter nominating the ministers on Thursday.

This screening follows President Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which included the dismissal of five ministers: Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticized the management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, over a new mandatory accommodation fee of N100,000 imposed on students seeking on-campus housing.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NANS National President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, described the policy as “unacceptable” and “insensitive,” highlighting the financial strain it could place on students and their families amid challenging economic conditions.

Emonefe noted that, traditionally, only medical and dental students are required to pay for compulsory accommodation in line with course-specific needs. However, he argued that applying a fee of this magnitude to all students is unreasonable and risks excluding students from access to affordable housing.

The statement further emphasized the importance of making education accessible and affordable, warning that such fees only compound the financial pressures on students already facing high living costs.

NANS has called on the university to reconsider its decision, urging it to make on-campus accommodation optional and to set affordable pricing for students who choose to live there.

“It is essential for the university to understand the diverse financial realities faced by its students and to establish supportive policies that aid, rather than obstruct, their academic goals,” the association said.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ rights, NANS cautioned that it would not hesitate to organize further actions if the university fails to address the issue promptly.

The Imo State Police Command celebrated a significant success in its crime-fighting initiatives on Tuesday by effectively thwarting an attack from suspected IPOB/ESN militants and gathering critical evidence.

Gists9ja reports that Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed that officers from the Counter-Terrorism Unit were conducting a routine patrol along Owerri/Aba Road near Owerri Airport when they were ambushed by ten attackers in two vehicles.

The officers quickly retaliated, engaging in a firefight that led to the elimination of one assailant, while the others fled, sustaining injuries and leaving behind an ash-colored Mercedes Jeep with a Lagos State registration number AAA 101 GR.

The statement indicated, “On October 29, 2024, at approximately 6:30 PM, the Counter Terrorism Unit successfully averted an assault by suspected IPOB/ESN militants during a routine patrol near Owerri Airport. About ten attackers struck from two vehicles but were driven off.

In the ensuing clash, one assailant was neutralized, while the rest escaped with injuries, abandoning their getaway vehicle—a Mercedes Jeep with Lagos registration number AAA 101 GR.”

Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, an IPOB/ESN flag, and the abandoned vehicle. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the police officers.

The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, urged the public, especially medical professionals, to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to locate the fleeing suspects in the surrounding area.

A pastor Ayorinde AdeBello suspended by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has vehemently denied allegations of homosexuality.

Leading Reporters reports that his suspension, along with another pastor, was announced in an RCCG letter dated October 28.

The letter, signed by Sunday Akande, RCCG’s national overseer, pointed out serious allegations of homosexuality and ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Reacting to the suspension, AdeBello in a post via his Instagram denied the allegations, stating, “I never engaged in sodomy with male teenagers”.

The pastor explained that his prolonged silence was misconstrued as an “admission of guilt”, which led to his response.

In the past few days, some allegations were made against me and some others via a blog on social media known as Gist Lover,” the statement reads.

“I had wanted to respond immediately when it was brought to my attention, but I was advised not to, as I was not the only one named, and all of us may have been mentioned to drive engagement on the blog.

“However, as these allegations have escalated to criminal claims, I am compelled to respond as my prolonged silence has been misconstrued as an admission of guilt.

He continued, “I have NEVER demanded sex from any male as payment or gratification to give them assistance, platforms or positions. God is the only king-maker, the only One who can raise and erase kings, and give positions and platforms.

“I have NEVER had sex with (*) or proposed sex to him for any reason.

“The questions in the screenshot were asked during a conversation in a male teenager WhatsApp group where discussions regarding Male Reproductive Health and self-esteem took place.

The teenagers were taught about the right hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determine the underwear size. I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.

“It is disheartening to see that the screenshot message has now been mischievously quoted out of context to portray me as someone who has sex with male teenagers.”