Many Nigerians have criticised the Nigerian Army’s decision to post an image of Mernan Femi Oluyede, the army chief’s wife, as the “official portrait of the 24th president of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA)” on Friday. Some called it “shameful”.
On Friday, the army posted the image of Mernan, wife of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on its official social media handles.
Following the death of former Army Chief Taoreed Lagbaja, Oluyede’s appointment as the 24th Army chief was confirmed by the House of Representatives on November 28 and by the Senate on Tuesday.
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“Official portrait of the 24th president of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede,” the Friday post read.
OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF THE 24TH PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY OFFICERS WIVES ASSOCIATION (NAOWA) MRS MERNAN FEMI OLUYEDE pic.twitter.com/fv6wI1S3YL— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) December 6, 2024
The choice of the army to post the woman’s portrait has been considered “shameful” and “ridiculous” by some netizens on X. Others wondered if the woman’s portrait benefitted public interests.
REACTION
Balogun FD wrote, “We should have some shame… This shouldn’t come on the @HQNigerianArmy’s official handle. It’s not of any national interests.”
Omo Ola wrote, “The show of shame has to stop. What is official about this clear abuse of power? Responding to a comment, the X user wrote further, “They can have their association and share pictures in their WhatsApp group [but] not for public consumption.”
Quoting the post, more netizens expressed their displeasure at the army’s action.
IKD8N Hustler wrote, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is actually an official handle of the Nigerian Army tweeting a portrait of nonsensical army wives association like that’s some real thing or position that helps the nation.”
Another user named Abiodun said, “Portrait for who? Isn’t this supposed to be circular in your officer’s WhatsApp groups or some closed group thing?”
Kristian Kamalu, another commenter, wrote, “Hahaha. The Nigerian Army even tweeted this. I don’t even know whether to begin to laugh or cry. Here’s your army’s handle on X, Nigerians.”
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Platypus Banjo simply wrote “As how? This is ridiculous!”
On the flip side, Akitiolu wished the woman well. “Soldier go, soldier come. Barracks go remain. Everyone will add their quota and I wish their tenure the best,” the user posted.
A user named Omar Zarma reflected on the fleeting nature of life by posting, “Such is life; power is transient. May the soul of Taoreed Lagbaja continue to rest in peace.”
The post Nigerians Slam ‘Shameful’ Army Chief Wife’s Official Portrait Post on Social Media appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.