…LAID TO REST IN ABUJA, RECEIVES CFR POSTHUMOUSLY
By Okosun Dennis
It was one of the saddest moments for Nigerians when the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), late Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja’s remains were committed to the mother earth on Friday at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
Paying their last respect were the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, the Acting Chief of Army Staff , Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede and other Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, family members, State Governors, members of the diplomatic corps and soldiers.
However, as a mark of honour, President Tinubu conferred on the late Lt Gen Lagbaja a posthumous title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) of Nigeria; Nigeria’s third highest honour, below the GCFR and GCON.
His remains were lowered into the grave exactly 4:41pm as dignitaries, family members fought back tears amidst tributes of eulogization bringing to a glorious end of anq unblemished military career that spanned for over three decades.
Gen Lagbaja’s casket was draped in Nigeria’s Green and White colours with his boots and ceremonial cap carefully laid on it, was conveyed in a motorcade to the burial site about 3pm after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
In his remarks while conferring the honour, which was received by the wife of late Gen Lagbaja, Mrs Mariyan Lagbaja, President Tinubu stated “Please do not let death defeat us. I, as Commander-in-Chief renew my pledge to you today that the country will always support you and your family.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the post-humous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
While reassuring the nation to continue to ensure peace and fight terrorists, the CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa promised that his death (Gen Lagbaja) will not dampen the military’s resolve and enthusiasm to fight insecurity and other organised crimes.
“To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for”, he stated.
“Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside.”
The acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede while eulogizing Lagbaja affirmed that the late COAS was pivotal to his successes in the military, adding that despite being on his sick bed, he nominated him for a national honour.
The funeral was marked with full military honours traditionally echoed by gun salute as the last military honour of the late General Lagbaja, after the President, service Chiefs and Mrs Lagbaja had laid wreath.
The final rites released by the Nigerian Army began on Thursday when his remains were flown from the Air Force Wing, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos on a Charlie 130 Hercules aircraft marked NAF 918 after a brief procession.
On the same day in the evening, at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Barracks, Cantonment, Abuja, there was a Service of Song.
The body had earlier been received at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja – from Lagos about 12:15 pm on Thursday.
As the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Late Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was born on 28th February, 1968, having been admitted into the prestigious Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), as Regular Course 39. He rose though the ranks and was appointed in June 2023 but died on 5th November, 2024 after a brief illness.
With an illustrious career in the Army, he fought tirelessly against terrorists, banditry, kidnappers and other organised criminal acts until he succumbed to death.
During his over a year in office as the COAS, he galvanized enormous welfare needs for officers and soldiers with robust and improved welfarist culture underscoring while his demise was a huge blow to the force.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
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