The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, alongside former service chiefs and senior military officers, on Sunday, paid glowing tributes to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (OFR), during a solemn interdenominational memorial service held in his honour at the All Saints Military Church (Protestant), Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The event, which marked one year since the passing of the late General Lagbaja on November 5, 2024, provided an opportunity for deep reflection on the life of a soldier widely remembered for his courage, humility, and commitment to national service.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede, described the late Lagbaja as a fearless commander, compassionate leader, and consummate patriot whose devotion to duty and welfare of troops left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army.
He noted that General Lagbaja’s leadership style was anchored on integrity, empathy, and professionalism, which strengthened the unity of the Armed Forces. Oluyede extended condolences to the Lagbaja family and prayed for God’s continued comfort, adding that the former Army Chief’s legacy would remain a guiding light for the military.
Delivering the sermon, the Acting Director of Chaplain Services (Protestant), Lieutenant Colonel Bitrus Nyam, urged officers and soldiers to emulate the late COAS’s exemplary life of faith, dedication, and patriotism. He described him as “a faithful soldier of Christ, a devoted leader, and a humble servant who served both God and country with honour.”
Highlights of the service included special prayers, thanksgiving, and moments of reflection in honour of the late Army Chief.
Dignitaries at the event included the CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede; former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Generals LEO Irabor (rtd) and Christopher Musa (rtd); the representative of the COAS, Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Maxwell Dangana; the wife of the late COAS, Mrs. Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja; as well as the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), and other service wives’ associations.
Also in attendance were members of the 39 Regular Course (serving and retired), principal staff officers from Defence and Service Headquarters, spouses of officers, and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
The late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja is fondly remembered as a visionary leader and disciplined officer whose selfless service and enduring legacy continue to inspire generations within the Nigerian Armed Forces.