The Nigerian Army on Friday paid heartfelt tribute to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, celebrating his enduring legacy of service, sacrifice and commitment to the unity and security of Nigeria.
The solemn event also honoured all fallen heroes whose courage and devotion to duty continue to uphold the sovereignty of the nation.
According to a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the tribute was marked by a special Jumu’ah Prayer held at the Mogadishu Cantonment Central Mosque, Abuja, and was graced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who extolled the late General Lagbaja as a visionary and selfless leader defined by humility, discipline and an unyielding sense of duty.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described his late predecessor as “a soldier’s soldier whose leadership and humanity left indelible marks in the heart of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army.”
He urged personnel to draw inspiration from General Lagbaja’s life of faith, courage and devotion to national service, while calling on Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces in safeguarding peace, unity and territorial integrity.
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Delivering the sermon during the Jumu’ah prayers, the Acting Deputy Director, Islamic Affairs, Army Headquarters Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Abbas, drew from the Holy Qur’an, affirming that life and death are divine decrees.
He noted that those who lay down their lives in the pursuit of justice and peace are eternally honoured before Allah.
“Our fallen heroes live on in the legacy of peace they helped secure and in the hearts of the nation they served,” he said, urging personnel to remain steadfast in faith and integrity.
He emphasized that true courage lies not in might or rank but in sincerity of purpose and devotion to truth. He offered prayers for divine forgiveness for the departed and for continued peace, strength and unity across Nigeria.
Through this solemn observance, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its resolve to uphold the ideals for which Lieutenant General Lagbaja lived and served with faith, courage, integrity and unyielding love for Nigeria.
In attendance were the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), former Governor of Jigawa State, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Maxwell Dangana, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, President NAOWA, Mrs Safiyya Hassan Shaibu, President NOWA, Mrs Aisha Idi Abbas, and other distinguished guests.