A visionary unassuming regimented officer and a man of integrity, well-known during and even after the service, a man of distinguished character, full of realistic ambitions, Major General Mohammed Chris Alli's remains were laid to rest today, 20th December, 2023 amidst eulogies and tributes at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
Major General Chris Alli who died at the age of 79 in Lagos on 19 November was Nigeria’s 15th Chief of Army Staff from 1993 to 1994 under late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
THE FUNERAL MASS
Before the burial, there was a funeral mass at St. Joseph Military Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks Asokoro, Abuja.
In his sermon Acting Director. DCS (RC), Colonel Very Reverend Father AF Maimagania, admonished the congregation to live a noble, holy and spotless life. He said the greatest of a man is not how much wealth he acquired in life but it's in integrity and how he impacts positively the lives of people.
"'It is in the evening of our life we would be judged for one thing and that thing is love.
He took his sermon from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 stressed that a good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you are born. "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; time to kill, and a time to heal... "
After the funeral mass, the body was moved to the National Military Cemetery, Abuja for the military tradition final rites.
THE MILITARY FUNERAL
The funeral was attended by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who represented President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, a representative of Plateau State Governor, Royal Father HRM Ohimegye Igia, the Koton-Karfe, serving and former service chiefs, among them were former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, Lt Gen Abdulrahman B. Dambazau, Major General AJ Kazir (rtd), Chief of Defence Intelligence, and other prominent Nigerians and family members
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the late former COAS achieved significant influence on professionalising and repositioning the army to be a force to reckon with in both regional and global scenes.”
He added that the late general lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation
“For Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Chris Alli, his transition has exerted marvellous memories of a loving father, brother, uncle, colleague, comrade and confidant.
“To many nationwide and overseas, the nostalgia in some social cycles sequel to his recent glorious passing on underscores his legacy of enviable character, patriotism, love and service to Nigeria and Nigerians. We cannot but appreciate the Almighty for the life and the good times of this cherished hero
“To this end, we indeed owe him a duty to promote the values that he connected as we pursue national peace, development and unity for our people,” Badaru added.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, in his remarks, revealed that the truth is that the late General did not retire till his last breath. He exhibited an unrivalled sense of duty and dedication to service. His love and passion for the Nigerian Army was evident in all his doings.
The late General was an astute professional, a compassionate leader, a mentor, and an all-round fine military officer. He was a pleasant, conscientious, and compassionate General whose leadership style positively influenced his peers and subordinates. Even in retirement, he was full of energy and had much to offer both serving and retired officers from his vast wealth of experience.
The general mentored and inspired generations who today are mentoring younger generations that did not meet him in service.
“His commitment to duty manifested evidently as he rose through the ranks to become the Director of Military Intelligence amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his military career as the 15th COAS,” he said
Lt Gen Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, announced that the Nigerian Army would reserve a seat for the general with a wreath on it at the next three major activities it will hold, as a mark of honour.
Speaking to Journalists, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello disclosed that the late army General will be immortalised in Kogi State.
The climax of the burial is the presentation of the National Flag to the next-of-kin of the late COAS, and the laying of wreaths by dignitaries and the deceased’s wife, Mrs Dorothy Alli.
ABOUT MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMED ALLI
General MC Alli desired to fly airplanes, which influenced him to join the Nigerian Air Force in 1967 in the heat of the civil war. The timing seemed a bit challenging considering the risks of flying in wartimes - rationally considered "bold," but not reckless by his accounts at the time. Acquiescing to family pressure, however, he decided to leave the Airforce and apply for, and get accepted into the Nigerian Army in April 1967.
He held various command and staff appointments; among the notable ones are: Commanding Officer of 134 Infantry Battalion, Staff Officer Grade1 Army Headquarters Operations and Training, Commander of 3rd Infantry Brigade, Nigerian Defence Adviser to Zimbabwe, military governor of Plateau State Nigeria, Director of Directorate of Military Intelligence and General Officer Commanding Headquarters 1 Mechanised Division before he was appointed the fifteenth Chief of Army Staff in 1993.
General MC Alli attended various military career courses in Nigeria commensurate with his ranks. He also attended Warminster in the United Kingdom (UK), Commanders Course in Pakistan and National Defence College New-Delhi India.
Besides his military service to the nation, General MC Alli served Nigeria in numerous other capacities. For example, he was the Chairman of the Ajaokuta Steel Company. He was a military administrator of Plateau State and was re-appointed interim Administrator of the same Plateau state in May 2004 during the crisis in the state. He was the Oseze Ogbonyi of Egbira Nation, Chairman of the Ohilu Egbira Descendants Union Board of Trustees
Sequel to his immense and enviable contributions, sense of duty and loyalty, General MC Alli won numerous accolades and/ or awards in his lifetime, notably Republic Medal (RM), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), National Service Medal, General Service Medal (GSM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Silver Jubilee Medal (SJM), ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Mission in Liberia Medal, and ultimately, the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of theNiger (GCON) award. He has also been recognised for his involvement in the development efforts of the Koton Karfe Kingdom in present-day Kogi State.
As 25 December 2023 approaches, we celebrate what could have been his 79th birthday with pride and gratitude - not just from friends and family, but also from communities he touched and the Nigeria he served with distinction.
The General is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.