Abuja, Nigeria – E don be one year since the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja waka go meet his Maker, and Nigerian Army gather for church service wey dem use honour am. Di interdenominational service happen for All Saints’ Military Church on Sunday, 9 November 2025.
As dem dey remember di late army chief, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, talk say Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and other high-ranking military big men come pay their respect. Dem all fit gather together for this solemn occasion; if dem fit show up for party like dis, na beta matter we go dey yarn!
Oluyede no carry mouth dey shy as he yan about Lagbaja. He say di late general na fearless commander and man wey show plenty love for him troops. Lagbaja na one kind leader wey sabi wetin e dey do, from di way e dey treat people to di way e dey manage di army with integrity. E really be like say dem don miss am well well!
During di sermon, Lieutenant Colonel Bitrus Nyam, wey dey serve as Chaplain, also balance di matter well. E commot scripture talk as he explain wetin make Lagbaja special. Na him sabi say Lagbaja no be just any soldier; him na faithful soldier of Christ wey shine like star for ground! (Wetin we go do without faith abeg?)
Eyes don dey leak as dem pay tribute, and everybody dey sharp for di prayer wey dem do for Lagbaja family. No be small thing when dem remember di man wey inspire so many people. Lagbaja na soldier wey carry service for him heart and put di country for him front.
Wives of di former generals still dey show support as dem come full ground to represent their men. Di deceased’s wife, Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, even comot show as she dey among di people wey dey reminisce about his greatness. It good to see say di family dey get support from all corners.
As di service wrap up, Oluyede and di rest of dem make am clear say Lagbaja go dey always dey inspire dem, and dem go run things well in his memory. Even as dem dey move on, e go always remain part of di story of di Nigerian Army. (Now we sabi say good leaders no just dey grow on tree.)
All dis remembrance na for show say for di Nigerian Army, dem value na only di person but di legacy wey e leave behind. So, how e go be? Na to keep moving forward while dem dey draw strength from di past. As dem dey say, ‘the show must go on’, but dis one na special one wey go stick for heart long time.
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