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How Nigeria buried late Army Chief Lagbaja today
It was a painful and tear-filled day for Nigeria as the remains of former Chief of Army Staff, Taoheed Lagbaja was buried at the national military cemetery, Abuja with President Bola Tinubu described the late army chief as a “true soldier, a general and officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.”
Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, died November 5, in Lagos after a brief illness.
President Tinubu and his entourage, including some senior Nigerian military officers and foreign military personnel, were at the cemetery where Lagbaja was laid to rest in the presence of his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu said- “For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well.”
The President said God took Mr Lagbaja’s life at “a time when his service to the nation could mean so much.”
However, the president celebrated the “selfless” lieutenant general “who gave everything for Nigeria.”
During the burial ceremony, Tinubu posthumously conferred the title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) of Nigeria on Mr Lagbaja. The deceased’s wife, Mariya, received the award on behalf of her late husband.
Earlier at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, praised the late army chief as an “exemplified man, a soldier, a gentleman and a patron with an unwavering dedication to the service.”
The first lady said her thoughts and prayers “are with his (Mr Lagbaja) wife, Mariya, their two children, family and friends and colleagues.”
On Thursday, the Nigeria Army held an event in honour of Mr Lagbaja shortly after his body arrived from Lagos.
The event, a Service of Songs, was held at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
Lagbaja was was born on 28 February 1968, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State. He lived his early life in Osogbo where he attended St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19th September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps.
Between 1992 and 1995, Mr Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master’s level.
He was an instructor at Nigerian Defence Academy between 2001 and 2004. He was a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations. Then he was a Directing Staff at Armed Forces Command and Staff College from 2006 – 2009.
By 2009, he became Deputy Chief of Staff G1 at Headquarters 81 Division and subsequently, he became Commanding Officer at 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi from 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015.
In 2016, he was named the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division, Monguno. He served as Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations from January – December 2018. He was a Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Before he was appointed as army chief, Mr Lagbaja was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 – August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division – from August 2022 – June 2023.
Earlier in 2008, he attended the Military Observers Course on Peacekeeping Wing at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008) and ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010).
He started his career as a second lieutenant and died as a lieutenant general, a rank he attained in September 2019
Mr Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation LAFIYA DOLE; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger states.
Mr Lagbaja is not the first army chief to die while in office. In 2021, Ibrahim Attahiru, a lieutenant general and then chief of army staff died in a Kaduna-bound plane crash. Mr Attahiru died alongside 10 other military officers and crew.
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By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Festus Keyamo, SAN, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has been formally inducted into the revered league of Honorary Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)—a distinguished circle that has, over the past six decades, admitted only a select group of eminent Nigerians.
The prestigious honour, conferred by the Institute, places the Aviation Minister among an elite class that includes former Presidents; Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor of Niger State, among other national figures recognised for their exceptional contributions to nation-building. With this induction, Keyamo becomes only the 16th Honorary Fellow in the 60-year history of the NIA.
In a citation, the Nigerian Institute of Architects described Keyamo’s induction as a testament to his national impact, visionary leadership, and enduring commitment to infrastructural excellence.
In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, the Dean of the College of Fellows, who represented the NIA President, emphasised that the Honorary Fellowship is reserved strictly for individuals who have demonstrated uncommon excellence, service, and achievement. He praised Keyamo for his transformative role in modernising Nigeria’s aviation landscape—an achievement that has significantly enhanced the architectural and infrastructural fabric of the sector.
He noted that the Minister’s visionary leadership has catalysed the renewal of airport infrastructure, promoted world-class design standards, and strengthened the interface between aviation development and national architecture.
“His efforts in repositioning the aviation industry reflect a deep understanding of functional design, structural aesthetics, and sustainable infrastructure—principles that lie at the heart of architecture,” the Dean said.
In his acceptance speech, the Honourable Minister expressed profound gratitude to the Institute for the rare honour, describing it as both humbling and inspiring. He highlighted the importance of cultural identity in national development, stressing that architecture and urban planning must reflect the soul of the people.
“In our urban development, we must integrate our culture into our town planning,” he stated. “Our spaces must tell our stories. Our buildings must reflect who we are. This is the essence of nationhood, and it is a philosophy I intend to continually champion, especially as we reimagine Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.”
A statement by Tunde Moshood,
Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had it that Keyamo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing aviation infrastructure that embodies innovation, resilience, and cultural relevance while supporting Nigeria’s broader economic transformation.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has explained why it recently honoured the Director General/CEO, of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike with its Mentorship Award of Excellence.
Anosike was given the award on October 23rd at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoyin, Ogun State during a youth mentorship conference organized by NANS.
In a statement issued Monday, October 28, 2025, NANS said the NiMet DG was honoured for consistently demonstrating exemplary leadership, humility, and generational impact in his service to Nigeria’s youth and emerging entrepreneurs.
Titled ‘Statement by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on the Presentation of Mentorship Award to the Director General of NiMet,’ it stated that the mentorship Anosike has provided to thousands of young Nigerians has paved the way for fresh ideas, empowered individuals, and anchored many on the path of excellence.
According to the statement which was signed by Comrade Adeyemi Samson, NANS National Public Relations Officer- “Young people who have had the privilege of working with him testify to his clear-sighted guidance, rare simplicity of approach, and genuine concern for their personal and professional development. His readiness to extend a helping hand, provide encouragement, and share insights has made a lasting difference.
“In his capacity as a distinguished professor, a man of dignity and repute, and a public servant committed to transformation, Professor Anosike embodies the very essence of mentorship that NANS strives to promote among Nigerian students and youths.
“By this award, NANS affirms its deep respect for Professor Anosike’s consistent efforts in nation-building, youth capacity development, and entrepreneurship support. We are delighted to honor him today and look forward to the many further achievements that will follow from his mentorship and service.
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