By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Bola Tinubu on Friday led the nation in a solemn farewell to the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who was interred at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, service chiefs, Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his tribute, President Tinubu praised the late General as a dedicated soldier and patriot, saying:
“Today is a solemn day for the nation and for me as Commander-in-Chief, for on this day, at this place, we lay to rest a soldier’s soldier. A General and Officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.
“For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well. More than that, he was also a man of prudent action who cared more for his nation and for those who served under him than he ever did for himself.
“Yet, the hand of God works in its own sovereign way. The plans of God we cannot fully discern. At a time when his service to the nation could mean so much, God took him home to serve in His celestial army.
“His departure could cause us great dismay. However, Lieutenant General Lagbaja would not want sorrow to overtake us.
“It has been said that ‘the brave never die. Their courage serves a thousand living men.’ So be it then; may the courage by which Lieutenant General Lagbaja served and now shines forth live in each of us,” Tinubu said.
The President announced the posthumous conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late General, which was received by his widow, Mariya Lagbaja.
“You shared your beloved husband, father, and brother with an entire nation, allowing him to serve with honour. His sacrifices will never be forgotten. His life’s work will continue to inspire all who serve in our armed forces,” Tinubu said.
President Tinubu described Lagbaja as one of his best appointees, whose tenure marked a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and insurgency.
He highlighted the late General’s dedication to military welfare, saying: “I remember the passion with which he championed payment of outstanding Group Life Assurance benefits to families of deceased personnel. Owing to his passion for his soldiers, we gave some needed financial relief to distressed families, clearing a backlog that had been growing since 2011.”
The President urged members of the Armed Forces to uphold Lagbaja’s memory by recommitting themselves to patriotism and service to Nigeria.
“While we are saddened by his passing, we still celebrate his life. For his courage, sacrifice, and leadership, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military greats,” Tinubu added.
The funeral, which included full military honours, observed a 19-gun salute in Lagbaja’s memory.
Top government officials, service chiefs, and members of the diplomatic corps joined his family in laying wreaths to honour his service.
Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5, 2024, began his distinguished military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
Despite his brief tenure, his legacy as a patriot, leader, and advocate for soldiers’ welfare remains a beacon of inspiration.
Source: PM News
