President Tinubu Confers a Posthumous National Honour on Taoreed Lagbaja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, with the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) national award.

The announcement was made during a solemn internment ceremony held in Abuja on Friday.

In his emotional address, President Tinubu hailed General Lagbaja as “a soldier’s soldier” and a patriot who embodied the highest ideals of military service.

The President described Lagbaja’s commitment to Nigeria as “singular and undiluted,” praising his dedication, intellect, and selflessness in serving the nation.

“Lieutenant General Lagbaja was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well. He cared more for his country and the soldiers under his command than for himself,” Tinubu stated.

President Tinubu lauded Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja as “one of my best appointments,” highlighting the exceptional calibre of the late Chief of Army Staff.

“As President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I worked closely with him, and he was more than I could have hoped for. He embodied the finest ideals of a patriot and a soldier,” Tinubu said.

“His tenure, though brief, marked a transformative period in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity,” Tinubu noted, adding that Lagbaja’s advocacy for the payment of outstanding benefits to families of deceased soldiers reflected his deep compassion and commitment to his colleagues.

The President called on the armed forces to honour Lagbaja’s memory by pressing on with their mission to defend the nation, stating,

“To you, the gallant officers, please, do not let death defeat us, lead your herds in pride, in memory of your army chief, at the moment, he would have told you to honor him by pressing on gallantly with the unfinished business and further fight and struggle along – it is also left to the rest of us to carry on until the great job of securing and protecting this nation is done.”

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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