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, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja who died on 5 November, 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 Lt. General Lagbaja, which rites began with the setting of the casket by the pall bearers, faith Service/Opening Prayer, military Last Post and a Minute’s silence were observed in honour of the departed Army Chief.
In his funeral remarks, President Tinubu described Army chief as one of Nigeria’s finest Generals who served the nation with utmost dedication and ability.
He said naming lieutenant General Lagbaja as his Army Chief was his 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 late Chief of Army Staff the posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic of Niger CFR,” said Tinubu.
He said Lagbaja was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served the nation well, adding 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 that 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 Lagbaj’s demise, President Tinubu said “at a time when a service to the nation could mean so much, God took him home to serve in a celestial army.”
