• President Confers Posthumous CFR Award On Deceased
• Describes Him As One Of His Best Appointments

With heavy hearts, President Bola Tinubu on Friday led mourning Nigerians to the military cemetery in Abuja for the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who died on November 5, 2024.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), George Akume, were among the hundreds of sympathisers who joined the president at the solemn ceremony to honour the late COAS.

President Tinubu arrived at the military cemetery at 03:10 and proceeded to take his seat for the interment of the late COAS.

The rites began with the setting of the casket by the pallbearers, faith service/opening prayer, military last post and a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased.

In his funeral remarks, President Tinubu described the late COAS as one of Nigeria’s finest Generals who served the nation with utmost dedication and ability.

He said naming Lagbaja as his Army Chief was the best appointment decision made in his Presidency.

“His legacy of service will be cherished forever as an eternal symbol of our appreciation.

“I’ve granted the late Chief of Army Staff the posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic of Niger (CFR),” Tinubu said.

He said Lagbaja was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served the nation well.

He added that the late army chief 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 works in his own sovereign way, the plans of God we cannot fully discern.”

Lamenting Lagbaja’s demise, President Tinubu said God took him home to serve in a celestial army at a time when a service to the nation could mean so much.”

His words: “This man was made of a finest stock. On behalf of a grateful nation that he served with utmost dedication and ability, 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 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 hands of God works in his own sovereign way, the plans of God we cannot fully discern.

“At a time when a service to the nation could mean so much, God took him home to serve in a celestial army.

“His departure could cause us great dismay. However, Lt. Gen. Toarred Abiodun Lagbaja, will not want sorrow to overtake us. It has been said that the brave never die. Their courage serves 1000 living men. So be it then. May the courage with which Lt. Gen. Lagbaja served now shine forth, and live 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 as a remarkable career of the selfless professional who gave everything for Nigeria.

“At a moment like this, we must look to the greater purpose and deepest meaning of life itself, individually; we all are nothing but mere leaves in the wind. But when collectively wielded to great purpose, we become a strong house.

“This General dedicated himself to the preservation of the house we call Nigeria. Because of him and men and women like him, this house shall stand firm and well protected.

“On this day we pay tribute to a General whose story of illustrious service will be told for generations to come.  For his courage, sacrifice and leadership, Gen Olagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military greats.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar made farewell remarks at the beginning of the ceremony.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.