Tinubu, Shettima, Akpabio, others pay farewell respects to Lagbaja

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, led a host of dignitaries at the funeral of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on November 5, after a brief illness.

The solemn ceremony took place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, where Tinubu honoured Lagbaja with a posthumous national award.

The event was attended by military leaders, family members, and various government officials, all paying tribute to the late general’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s security forces.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ministers, governors, serving and former service chiefs, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Dailyeconomy reports that the final interment of the late army chief began on Thursday with a service of songs, followed by a funeral service on Friday morning at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

The body of Lagbaja arrived at the National Military Cemetery at 3:15 p.m., accompanied by full military honours, before the burial ceremony commenced in accordance with military tradition.

The pallbearers and firing party took their positions, and the pallbearers marched with the casket through the firing party before the last post was performed.

The burial oration was read by the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.