*Bestows Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic posthumously on late COAS
*Says Lagbaja’s passion ensured payment of benefits to the families of deceased soldiers from 2011.
President Bola Tinubu has described the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Buba Abiodun Lagbaja, as a soldier’s soldier and a general of generals, noting that Lagbaja’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff was one of the best appointments he ever made.
“For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well,” Tinubu said.
“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 work in his own sovereign way; the plans of God we cannot fully discern.
The president, who spoke at the final interment of the late COAS at the National Cemetery, Abuja, said, “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”.
He continued, “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 symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.
“At a time when 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 Toareed Abiodun Lagbaja will not want sorrow to overtake us. It has been said that the brave never die. Their courage serves 1,000 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 at the 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 itself; individually, we are all nothing but the mere flowers in the wind. But when collectively wielded to great purpose, we become a strong house.
“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. Gen Lagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military greats.
“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. 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 and keep us from ills.
As for 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 valour in 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 gave some needed financial relief to the deceased families, clearing a backlog that has been growing since 2011.
“His tenure, though brief, earmarked a transformative period in which Nigerians fought against insurgency and banditry. He embodied the true essence of visionary military leadership; his passion marks the end of an era characterised by exceptional military leadership and 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 distinguished 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 the late Chief of Army Staff the posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic of Niger CFR,
“To you, the gallant officers, please do not let the death of Lagbaja 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 more, and I, as your 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, and 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 is what he did until he died. Lt Gen Lagbaja was an embodiment of the honour that the nation could deserve. 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.
During the ceremony, the Nigerian Army fired 19 heavy artillery gun salutes, which shook and reverberated in the whole of Abuja.
In his funeral oration at the occasion, Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General OO Oluyede, disclosed that Lt. General Lagbaja “even while he was on sick bed was thinking about the best for the nation rather than himself, hence he nominated my good self to act as the Chief of Army Staff, which the Commander in Chief graciously approved.
“He nominated me while on the sick bed, nominated by acting as he was thinking of the nation rather than himself.
Wreaths were later laid in his honour while the Nigerian Army Aviation conducted a fly past in one of the helicopters procured during the tenure of the late COAS.
