Lagbaja was one of my best appointments – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has described the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, as one of his best appointments as the Nigerian leader.

Tinubu spoke during the burial ceremony of Lagbaja at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, where he conferred a posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late General.

Describing Lagbaja as a General who exemplified the best of Nigeria, Tinubu said the late COAS’s brilliance and commitment were unmatched.

He noted that Lagbaja had a profound understanding of what it takes to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“To say farewell to one of Nigeria’s finest, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. This man was made of a fine soul. On behalf of a grateful nation that he served with utmost dedication and nobility, I say thank you to him for his long and outstanding service.

“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 true 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 hands of God work 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 the Celestial Army.

“His departure could cause us great dismay. However, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun 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 with which Lt. General Lagbaja served now shine forth in each and every one of us.

“While we are saddened by his passing, we still celebrate his life. Thus, we must rededicate ourselves to the principles and love of a nation for which he stood.

“As such, I am filled with pride at the remarkable career of the selfless professional who gave everything for Nigeria. At a moment like this, we must look to the greater purpose and the best meaning of itself. Individually, we all are nothing but mere leaves in the wind.

“But when collectively wedded to great purpose, we become a strong house. This General dedicated himself to the preservation of the house we call Nigeria. Because of him, a man and a soldier like him, this house shall stand firm and well protected.

“On this day, we pay tribute to the General whose story of illustrious service will be told for generations to come. For his courage, sacrifice, and leadership, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja will forever reside in the annals of military history.

“The son of a mother’s family, Lt. General Lagbaja was encouraged by his paternal uncle to enlist in the army. Enrolling in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, he rose to the highest rank of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff.

“Prior to his appointment, Lagbaja held several prominent positions, including General Officer Commanding of Headquarters 82 Division and Headquarters 1 Division. As President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I worked closely with him.

“He was more than I could have hoped for. He was one of my best appointments. Lt. General Lagbaja embodied the finest ideals of a patriot and a soldier.

“He had an abiding faith in the capability and readiness of our Armed Forces to serve and protect us. From his own participation in many internal security operations, Lt. General Lagbaja had a clear understanding of the role of the military in securing and defending our country, its people, and their hard-won constitutional democracy.

“He displayed uncommon valour in the discharge of his duty and in the administration of the rank and file, for he cared about their welfare and that of their families.

“I remember the passion with which he championed the payment of the Outstanding Group Life Assurance Benefit to the families of deceased persons. Owing to his passion for the soldiers and colleagues, we gave some much-needed financial relief to the deceased families, clearing a backlog that had been growing since 2011.

“Many tributes from senior officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces, serving and retired, have come forth. A common theme is that we lost an extraordinary general and a remarkable human being.

“One tribute states, and I quote: ‘In the annals of Nigerian military history, few leaders have left old, profound, and lasting impacts on the nation’s security architecture as Lieutenant General Lagbaja. His tenure, though brief, marked a transformative period.

“Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and banditry embodied the true essence of visionary military leadership. His passing marked the end of an era characterised by exceptional military leadership, unwavering dedication to national security, and remarkable achievements in the fight against terrorism.’

“Lieutenant General Lagbaja, our nation has indeed lost a leader who truly distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional soldier.

“Throughout his military career, his legacy of service will be cherished forever. As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff the posthumous National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CFR. I invite his wife, Maria, to collect the posthumous honour.

“To you, dear gallant officers, please do not let death defeat us. Lift your heads in pride in memory of your Army Chief. At this moment, he would have told you to honour him by pressing on gallantly with your unfinished business.

“I, as Commander-in-Chief, renew my pledge to you today that the country will always support you and your families as you defend and protect our nation.

“To his beloved wife, Maria, his children, and his family members, we can never convey our gratitude to you because you shared your beloved husband, father, and brother with an entire nation. You shared him with all.

“Allow him to serve with honour. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. His life’s work will continue to inspire all who serve with him.

“No honour is higher than defending the motherland, which is what you are doing and what he did until he died. Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was an embodiment of the honour that a nation deserves. The General will continue to live in our hearts.

“It is time to rest now. It is also left to the rest of us to carry on until the great job of securing and protecting this nation is done,” Tinubu concluded.