Late COAS Lagbaja laid to rest with full military honours in Abuja

The remains of the immediate past Chief of Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun was on Friday laid to rest at the military National cemetery Abuja with full military honour.

Speaking at the ceremony attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu honoured the late Chief of Staff with the National Honour of Commander of the Order of Republic (CFR)of Nigeria

The wife of the deceased, Mrs Mariah Lagbaja to collected the medal.

President Tinubu charged the officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to keep the fighting spirit of General Lagbaja alive by defeating insurgency activities in the country

According to him, “As an eternal symbol of our appreciation I’ve granted late Chief of Army Staff, the post humous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic of Niger CFR.

“To you office to you, the gallant officers, please do not let death defeat us, lift your heads in pride, in memory of your army chief. At the moment, he would have told you to honour him by pressing on gallantly with the unfinished business and further. Fight along, Struggle alone, and 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, the children, his family members, words can never convey our gratitude to you because you shared your beloved husband, father and brother with an entire nation, you shared with us, allowing him to serve with honour. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. His life’s work will continue to inspire all who serve with him.

“So no honour is higher than defending the motherland, which is what you are doing and which what he did until he died. Lt Gen Lagbaja was an embodiment of the honour that the nation, could deserve. The Lt General, will continue to live in the hearts.

“t is the time to rest now. It’s also left to the rest of us to carry on until the great job of securing and protecting this nation is done.

“We stand here today to say farewell to one of Nigeria’s finest, Lieutenant general, Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

“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 symbolized 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 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.

“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 in 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 moment like this, we must look to the greater purpose and deepest meaning of itself, individually, we all are nothing but the 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 left now, Gen Olagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military greats.

“The son of a modest family Lt Gen. Lagbaja was encouraged by patenal uncle to enlist in the army. enrolling in the Nigerian Army Defense 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 one 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 left. Lt General Lagbaja embodied the finest ideas of a patriot and a soldier.

“He had an abiding faith and the capability and readiness of our armed forces to save, keep us from ills.

“As on participation in many internal security operations, Lt Gen Lagbaja had a clear understanding about the role of the military in securing and defending our country, its people and hard won constitutional democracy.”

President Tinubu added General displayed uncommon valor in the the charge of his duty earning the admiration of the rank and file for he cared about their welfare and that of their Families.

According to him, “I remember the passion with which he championed the payment of the outstanding group Life Assurance benefits to the families of deceased persons, owing to his passion for the soldiers and colleagues, we give some needed financial relief to the deceased families , clearing a backlog that have been growing since 2011.

“Many tributes from senior officers and Nigeria Armed Forces serving and retired have come forth and the common theme is that we lost an extra ordinary general and a remarkable human being.

“One tribute states and I quote “in the annals of Nigerian military history, few leaders have left old, performed and impacted on the nation’s security architecture ad Lt Gen Lagbaja.

“His tenure though brief earmarked a transformative period Nigerians fight against insurgency and the banditry, embodied the true essence of visionary military leadership, his passion marks the end of an era characterized by exceptional military leadership, unwavering dedication to national security, a remarkable achievement in the fight against terrorism.

“Lieutenant General Lagbaja, our nation has indeed lost a rear gem who truly distinguish himself as a thoroughbred professional soldier throughout his military career, his legacy of service will be cherished forever.”

Speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said they were gathered under the shadow of profound loss and sorrow, as they bid farewell to a great patriot, an extraordinary military leader, and a man of immense courage, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

His transition unto glory, he said has left an indelible void in the heart of the Armed Forces, the nation, and in the lives of those who knew and served with him.

He said that Lagbaja exemplified the finest ideals of military service, duty, honor, and country.

According to him, “Over the years, he distinguished himself as a soldier’s soldier, a visionary strategist, and a compassionate leader whose legacy will inspire generations to come.

“His commitment to safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the security of our citizens was unwavering.

“From his early days as a young officer to his ascension to the esteemed office of the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja consistently demonstrated a rare blend of intellect, bravery, and humanity.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar said that late Lagbaja was not only a courageous leader but a soldier who lead from the front.

He noted that the nation will continue to remember Lagbaja as man of honour who served his country with all his strength

Other important dignitaries at the National Cemetery, Abuja for the interment of the late Chief of Army Staff,, are the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, IGP’, Dr Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Members of the Federal Executive Council, State Governors and members of the Diplomatic Community as well as the members of the National Assembly

The entire city temporarily shut down in honor of the deceased as some roads were diverted were some were closed down

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Tinubu, Shettima, others bid Lagbaja farewell