The Nigerian Army and the Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies (PSNAFSA) have renewed calls for lasting peace and an end to insecurity in Nigeria as they honoured the late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, at his second memorial service in Lagos.
The remembrance, held at the Maria Lagbaja Event Centre, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, brought together senior military and paramilitary officers, family members, friends, military spouses, civil society organisations and other well-wishers to celebrate the life, service and enduring legacy of the late Army Chief.
Beyond tributes and prayers for his repose, the event highlighted the need to sustain the values of patriotism, discipline, selfless service and professionalism for which Lagbaja was known, while drawing attention to the sacrifices of military personnel and the welfare of families left behind by fallen heroes.
The memorial, attended by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, also featured the distribution of palliatives to widows of fallen military personnel.
Speaking on behalf of the GOC, the Commander, 81 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Ahmed Getso, described Lagbaja as a distinguished soldier, exceptional leader and patriot whose life was defined by courage, selfless service and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army and the nation.
He said although the late general was no longer alive, his contributions to the Nigerian Army and the country remained indelibly etched in the nation’s institutional history.
Getso recalled that Lagbaja was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course in 1987 and commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in 1992.
He noted that the late general’s progression through various command, staff and instructional appointments reflected his professional competence, operational experience and exemplary leadership, culminating in his appointment as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff in June 2023.
As Army Chief, he said, Lagbaja demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing the Army’s operational capabilities, strengthening professionalism, improving troop welfare and sustaining military operations against insecurity across the country.
In his welcome address, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, said the memorial was not merely an occasion to remember a departed senior officer but an opportunity to celebrate a life devoted to dedication, sacrifice, patriotism and exemplary military leadership.
Owolabi recalled Lagbaja’s participation in several internal security operations, including Operations Zaki, Lafiya Dole, Udoka and Forest Sanity, describing his military engagements as evidence of his commitment to confronting security threats and restoring peace in troubled parts of the country.
He urged serving personnel to uphold the values of discipline, professionalism, operational readiness, loyalty and selfless service, stressing that these qualities remained essential to the Nigerian Army’s responsibility of defending the nation.
The Brigade Commander also emphasised the importance of supporting families of fallen soldiers, noting that the sacrifices made by military personnel often left their loved ones with enormous emotional and material burdens.
“Behind every fallen hero is a family who sacrificed and lost. They deserve the Army’s continued prayers, compassion and support,” he said.
Also speaking, the Convener of PSNAFSA, Ambassador Mary Abayomi-Fatile, described Lagbaja as a father figure who embodied selfless service, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and unity.
She said the late Army Chief consistently placed the nation’s interest above personal considerations and was passionate about ending insecurity in the country.
Fatile explained that PSNAFSA’s decision to honour him was informed by his deep affection for the military and the sincerity with which he served the nation.
“General Lagbaja’s tenure was defined by courage, patriotism, and a resolute commitment to restoring peace across Nigeria. We chose to honour him because he loved the military with all his heart and served his fatherland with sincerity and passion,” she said.
She prayed that the ideals and values for which the late general lived and served would continue to inspire members of the Armed Forces and rekindle hope for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
“As we remember his good works, may the seeds of sacrifice he planted bring forth lasting peace. Let insecurity become a thing of the past in our dear country,” she added.
The memorial featured special prayers for the repose of Lagbaja’s soul and other fallen heroes, alongside the distribution of palliatives to widows of soldiers who died in active service.
The gesture underscored the importance of extending support and appreciation for military sacrifices to the families who continue to bear the consequences of losing their loved ones in the service of the nation.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and sustain the collective commitment to building a peaceful, secure and united country, while ensuring that the legacies of fallen heroes and the welfare of their families are not forgotten.
