Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has said that being a soldier requires “some element of madness,” given the courage and sacrifice demanded by the profession.
Oluyede made the remark on Wednesday while presenting his credentials and professional experience to the Senate during the screening of newly appointed service chiefs.
Explaining his statement, the CDS said that while ordinary individuals naturally avoid danger, soldiers are trained to confront it head-on in defence of their country.
“There is something special about being a soldier; to be a soldier, there is some element of madness,” Oluyede said. “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.”
He further noted that military leadership in Nigeria demands complete dedication and sacrifice. “Being a service chief means you must give yourself totally — without sleep, without personal time — and operate under pressure to make Nigeria safer,” he said.
Oluyede was appointed Chief of Defence Staff last week by President Bola Tinubu, following the dismissal of his predecessor, General Christopher Musa.