UPDATE: LAGBAJA BURIED AMID GRIEF, TRIBUTES
Tears and tributes flowed freely on Friday as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja was laid to rest in Abuja, ending an illustrious military career that spanned decades.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in the nationās capital marking an end to two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.
His body was lowered to Mother Earth at exactly 4:41 pm after the ceremony that lasted four over two hours.
Lagbajaās casket, draped in Nigeriaās green and white colours, arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Several dignitaries attended the event. President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; the Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru and other top government officials and military brass graced the occasion.
In his eulogy, President Tinubu described the appointment of the late Lagbaja as one of his finest decisions since assuming office as Nigeriaās leader.
āAs an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the post-humous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),ā Tinubu said, asking the military not to be demoralised by the demise of the COAS.
āPlease, do not let death defeat us and I as commander-in-chief renew my pledge to you today that the country will always support you and your family,ā he said.
More Stories
DEATH OF DEBTOR IN POLICE CELL: IGP VISITS KWARA, FAMILY OF DECEASED
Directs FCID to Take Over Case for Swift Dispensation of Justice.... The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has...
FOREIGN: DEATH TOLL IN BRAZIL BUS CRASH RISES TO 41
Authorities on Sunday raised to 41 the death toll in a weekend bus crash in southeastern Brazil that President Luiz...
SPORT NEWS: MBAPPE STRIKES AS REAL MADRID DOWN SEVILLA
Kylian Mbappe scored a screamer and set up another goal as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 4-2 on Saturday to move...
WORLD NEWS: ONE MISSING AFTER OIL RIG SINKS OFF TRINIDAD
An oil rig sank in the waters off Trinidad Sunday, leaving one worker missing, the company and oil workers union...
SHOOTING STARS DEFEAT RANGERS INTERNATIONAL IN ENUGU
Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, on Sunday, secured an important away win against Rangers International Football Club of Enugu....
UPDATE: DEATH TOLL FROM ANAMBRA STAMPEDE RISES TO 22
The death toll from the stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, the local authorities said on Sunday. Spokesman...