New CDS Oluyede Tells Senate: Being a Soldier Requires ‘Element of Madness’

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, made a striking assertion before the Senate on Wednesday, stating that there is a definite “element of madness” required to be a soldier.

Dependable NG reports that the Lieutenant General made this candid remark during the ongoing screening session for the new service chiefs at the National Assembly, as he presented his Curriculum Vitae and detailed his extensive experience, including his prior role as the Chief of Army Staff. Explaining his controversial assertion, the CDS pointed out the fundamental paradox of military duty: while a normal human being would naturally retreat from imminent danger, a soldier is uniquely trained and expected to move forward and deliberately face that challenge.

He further elaborated on the immense sacrifices required of a military leader in Nigeria, stressing that becoming a service chief demands total personal submission to duty, often without the luxury of sleep or any personal time. Lieutenant General Oluyede emphasized the need to “do everything under duress to make Nigeria safer.” He reiterated his core belief, stating, “There is something special about being a soldier; to be a soldier, there is some element of madness. For a right-thinking person, when there is danger, you expect to retreat, but a soldier is expected to go forward and face that challenge.” Oluyede was recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to take over the crucial role from the former CDS, General Christopher Musa, who was relieved of his duties last week.