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…President confers posthumous CFR award to honour deceased
By Tobia Lengnam
President Bola Tinubu on Friday led some prominent Nigerians to the Military Cemetery in Abuja, for the burial of the late Chief of Army staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja who died on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Tinubu in an emotion-laden speech at the Cemetery described the late COAS as a rare gem, and one who had given his all in the service to the nation.
The President also eulogised the late Army chief as one of Nigeria’s finest generals who served the nation with utmost dedication and ability.
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 immedaitely 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.
He said naming lieutenant General Lagbaja as his Army Chief was his best appointment decision made so far 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,” the president said.
According to him, 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 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 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.”
He continued: “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.
“He 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.
“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.
“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, “I invite his wife Mariah to collect.
“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.
“It 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.”
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar made farewell remarks at the beginning of proceedings.
