By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army on Friday, November 7, 2025, held a solemn memorial prayer in honour of its late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, CFR, marking one year since his passing. The event, held at the Mogadishu Cantonment Central Mosque in Abuja, served as a heartfelt tribute to the late Army Chief’s enduring legacy of service, sacrifice, faith, and commitment to Nigeria’s unity and security. It also honoured all fallen heroes whose courage and devotion continue to uphold the sovereignty and stability of the nation.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Special Jumu’ah Prayer was graced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, who described the late General Lagbaja as a visionary and selfless leader whose tenure was defined by humility, discipline, and an unwavering sense of duty.
Lieutenant General Shaibu paid glowing tribute to his late predecessor, describing him as “a soldier’s soldier whose leadership and humanity left indelible marks in the hearts of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army.” He urged personnel to draw inspiration from General Lagbaja’s exemplary life of faith, courage, and devotion to national service, while calling on Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces in their collective mission to preserve peace, unity, and territorial integrity.
Delivering the sermon during the Jumu’ah prayers, the Acting Deputy Director, Islamic Affairs, Army Headquarters Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Abbas, drew his message from the Holy Qur’an, affirming that life and death are divine decrees. He emphasized that those who lay down their lives in the pursuit of justice and peace are eternally honoured before Allah.
“Our fallen heroes live on in the legacy of peace they helped secure and in the hearts of the nation they served,” Lieutenant Colonel Abbas declared, urging personnel to remain steadfast in faith and integrity. He added that true courage lies not in might or rank, but in sincerity of purpose and devotion to truth. He further offered prayers for divine forgiveness for the departed and for continued peace, strength, and unity across Nigeria.
The event drew several distinguished guests, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd); former Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency Ibrahim Saminu Turaki; Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Maxwell Dangana; Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Army Headquarters; President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Safiyya Hassan Shaibu; President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs. Aisha Idi Abbas; as well as officers, soldiers, family members, and other dignitaries.
Through this solemn observance, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its enduring commitment to uphold the ideals for which Lieutenant General Lagbaja lived and served faith, courage, integrity, and an unyielding love for Nigeria. The commemoration also served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the nation’s fallen heroes and the collective resolve of the Army to preserve their memory through continued service to the nation.
