President Bola Tinubu has conferred the posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the 23rd Chief of Army Staff (COAS), in recognition of his significant contributions to the nation.
The President made this announcement at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Friday, during the burial of General Lagbaja, who passed away last Tuesday following a brief illness.
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Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu paused his speech to call forward Mrs. Maria Lagbaja, the widow of the deceased, to receive the award medal on behalf of her late husband.
“I believe it was one of the best decisions of my presidency to appoint General Lagbaja as the COAS. He was a soldier’s soldier, a man whose dedication to duty was unwavering,” President Tinubu said in his tribute.
Top political leaders, security chiefs, family members, and friends gathered to pay their respects. Among those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several governors, led by Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who chairs the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, led military and security leaders at the event. Traditional rulers and members of the Diplomatic Corps also attended the funeral.
Both President Tinubu and CDS Musa honored General Lagbaja’s legacy, describing him as a true patriot and dedicated military officer.
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