The funeral service for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has concluded at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Lagbaja died at the age of 56 on November 5 in Lagos.
His remains arrived at the church on Friday at 11:17 a.m. in a military motorcade, accompanied by a military pipe band and horsemen.
Among those present were the first lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and other senior government officials, including the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Also in attendance was the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, along with other service chiefs and members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
In her remarks, Mrs Tinubu said that Nigeria would continue to celebrate Lagbaja for being an ‘exemplified man’.
“He had fought the good fight; he had finished his place. He kept the faith. Henceforth laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that table. And I believe he has received his crown,” she said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Mrs Maria, children, family, friends, colleagues, and associates.
“May Almighty God comfort and grant him and all the comfort and grant of the family members. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” she said.
In his sermon titled “The Life of Victory,” director of chaplaincy services (army) Lt.-Col. TE Ogbonyomi said the message sought to remind all that victory was also desirable by God for all men who served Him.
Ogbonyomi said Lagbaja transformed the army into a highly motivated force towards the defence of the nation in a joint environment.
President Bola Tinubu and top government functionaries are expected to attend the interment and perform the laying of wreaths.
