By Nkechi Eze
A year after his passing, the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, OFR, was on Sunday, 9 November 2025, honoured with glowing tributes from serving and retired military leaders during a solemn interdenominational memorial service held at the All Saints’ Military Church (Protestant), Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The event, which marked one year since General Lagbaja’s demise on 5 November 2024, drew the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, former Service Chiefs, senior officers, families, and associates of the late Army Chief. The atmosphere was one of deep reflection and heartfelt remembrance for a soldier widely regarded as a symbol of courage, humility, and selfless service to the nation.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the ceremony provided an opportunity for officers, soldiers, and family members to celebrate the exemplary life and enduring legacy of a man whose leadership left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army and the nation at large.
In his moving tribute, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, described the late General Lagbaja as “a fearless commander, compassionate leader and consummate patriot” whose unwavering dedication to duty and deep concern for his troops will forever be remembered. He noted that General Lagbaja’s tenure as Chief of Army Staff was defined by integrity, empathy, and a rare commitment to the welfare of personnel and the unity of Nigeria.
“General Lagbaja served his country with distinction and left behind a legacy of professionalism and honour that continues to inspire the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” General Oluyede said, while extending the condolences of the entire Armed Forces to the Lagbaja family. He prayed for God’s continued strength and comfort upon them and reaffirmed that the Nigerian military remains committed to upholding the noble ideals that the late Army Chief exemplified.
Delivering the sermon, the Acting Director, Chaplain Services (Protestant), Lieutenant Colonel Bitrus Nyam, extolled the virtues of the late General, describing him as “a faithful soldier of Christ, a devoted family man, and a leader who served both God and country with humility and honour.” He urged officers and soldiers to emulate his example of faith, dedication, and patriotism, stressing that true leadership is defined by service, compassion, and moral courage.
The memorial service featured special prayers and thanksgiving for the Lagbaja family, as well as moments of solemn reflection on the enduring values that the late Chief of Army Staff represented throughout his military career.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Generals LEO Irabor (Rtd) and Christopher Musa (Rtd); the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Maxwell Dangana, who represented the Chief of Army Staff; the wife of the late COAS, Mrs. Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja; the President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) and presidents of sister associations; as well as members of the Lagbaja family.
Also present were members of the 39 Regular Course, senior officers serving and retired, principal staff officers from Defence and Service Headquarters, spouses of military personnel, and a cross-section of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
The late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was fondly remembered as a visionary leader, a disciplined officer, and a patriot whose life of service and devotion to duty remains a beacon of inspiration to generations of soldiers across the Nigerian Armed Forces.
As tributes poured in and the congregation offered prayers of remembrance, one sentiment resonated among all, that the legacy of General Lagbaja will continue to live on in the hearts of the men and women of the Nigerian Army, whose professionalism and courage he so tirelessly championed.
