The Senate Committee on Army, led by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, screened the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for confirmation as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on November 27, 2024.
The session was held behind closed doors due to security considerations.

Prior to the closed door session, Senator Yar’adua addressed journalists, emphasizing the importance of the legislative role in confirming high-level security appointments.
He highlighted the critical role of the National Assembly in ensuring national security through proper oversight, especially given Nigeria’s current security challenges. Yar’adua commended the military’s ongoing efforts in combating terrorism and insurgency, underscoring the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces in maintaining national peace and security.

The committee sought to assess Oluyede’s strategic expertise, vision for national defense, and his proposals for improving military funding and personnel welfare.
Yar’adua stressed that the screening process was vital for ensuring the effectiveness of the military in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining order.
He said, “As a result, the Parliament must be seen to respect and take ative notice of and uphold any law relating to national legislation, itutional provision and judicial pronouncement made by court of competent iction in matters affecting the nation.
“It is no doubt that the security sector governance aims at elaborating rules that set ards for state and human security by applying the principles of good mance to the security sector, thereby making security provision oversight and ement more effective and more accountable, within the framework of ratic civilian control.
“This underscores the seriousness attached to the discharge of our jurisdiction on behalf of Nigerians in performing this screening exercise of the nominee as required by the law of the Federation.
“This is in order to ensure efficiency and drive effectiveness of institutions and their operators in fulfilling their respective roles and responsibilities in the spirit and culture of service.
“It is a known fact that our nation is currently bedeviled with multiplicity of security challenges requiring cogent and urgent solutions.
“May I however, commend the gallantry of the Officers and Men of the AFN for the success recorded so far in the war against terror, curtailing of insurgency and other criminalities within the Country, even to the laying down of their lives.
“This screening exercise intends to bring to bear your professional skills, experiences and expertise based on your strategic security knowledge and vision towards defending Nigeria from external aggression.
This is being done through maintaining its territorial integrity: securing its borders from violation on land suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order among others.
“Furthermore, your abilities to offer proposal towards finding solutions for military unding and welfare of personnel will be of interest to this Committee.”

The Senate has endorsed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran as the substantive Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
President Bola Tinubu had nominated Oloworaran for the position and sought Senate approval through a formal request. 
Her confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, presented during Thursday’s plenary session.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North), stated that Oloworaran met all legal and professional requirements as outlined in the Pension Reform Act 2014. He emphasized that she fulfilled the criteria stipulated under sections 19(2), (5), (6), and 26 of the Act, qualifying her for the role.
“The nominee has demonstrated competence and meets the legal prerequisites for this position. The committee finds her to be a fit and proper person for appointment as Director-General of PENCOM,” Senator Fasuyi said.
During the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin put the committee’s recommendation to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the senators.
Oloworaran’s confirmation ensures continued leadership at PENCOM, an agency critical to Nigeria’s pension administration and reform initiatives.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as Chief of Staff, with the appointment taking immediate effect.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Fred Itua, made the disclosure through a press Statement on Thursday.
According to the statement the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, who made the announcement described Audu’s new role as integral to advancing Governor Okpebholo’s reform agenda for the state.

The statement reads: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect.”

Hon. Audu, born on August 18, 1969, brings a rich background in governance and administration to his new role. A graduate of Auchi Polytechnic with an HND (1994), he went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University (2011) and an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja (2024).

Audu’s political experience spans nearly two decades. He served as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010, represented Etsako West Constituency 1 in the Edo State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, and was the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2020 Edo State elections.

This strategic appointment is expected to bolster the governor’s administrative team and support his vision of transformative governance in Edo State.