The Nigerian Army, yesterday, honoured the late Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja by renaming the Cantonment after him.
The popular Ikeja Cantonment is now to be known as T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja.
The renaming ceremony which was held yesterday followed impressive facility upgrades including an engraved picture of Lagbaja made with over 400,000 nails in front of the refurbished main gate to the cantonment; digital boards; remodelled accommodation for Commander 9 Brigade; newly built residence of Commander 70 Supply and Transport Command; renovated seven by Corporal Below and three by Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) quarters.
The Nation reports that the event coincided with the posthumous 57th birthday of the late COAS and brought together military top shots including all serving members of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 39, Lagbaja’s coursemates.
Delivering a goodwill message at the ceremony, Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said naming the cantonment after Lagbaja was a testament of gratitude and recognition of his courage, service and patriotism.
He said: “This cantonment has not only been a symbol of courage. It has been a symbol of discipline and fidelity. It has been home to thousands of brave men and women who have defended the sovereignty of our nation with their lives in the greatest moment of triumph, resilience, and sacrifice.
“Therefore, renaming it after Lieutenant General Lagbaja is a fitting tribute to a leader, a gentleman, and an officer whose life embodies all of his values. A distinguished infantry officer who served in the Nigerian Army with dedication for over three decades; who played key roles in counter-insurgent operations, internal security, and peace-keeping missions.
“By renaming this cantonment after him, we are sending a strong message to our Armed Forces and to future generations that Nigeria will always honour and celebrate our brave men and women in uniform, not just in times of conflict but in moments of peace. We must remind them that their sacrifice will not go unrecognised.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the renaming of the cantonment, noting that his administration has by the gesture, demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.
Sanwo-Olu restated his government’s commitment to providing collaboration, infrastructural and welfare support to security services to safeguard Lagos.
“Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s existence in Nigeria’s security landscape, his leadership in counterterrorism, and his unwavering commitment to professionalism in the Nigerian Army are worthy of our honour. His name will now be permanently etched in the foundation of this cantonment to remind us of all of the values we seek- service, excellence and selflessness,” he said.
To Lagbaja’s wife, Mrs. Mariam Lagbaja, Sanwo-Olu encouraged her to always walk with pride because her husband was a good leader who served professionally with everything he had.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the act was a military tradition done to immortalize distinguished personalities, who made significant contributions to strengthening and repositioning the Armed Forces to meet its constitutional mandate.
“Today, we are gathered here to immortalise the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, CFR who, until his passing late last year, epitomised the highest military values of courage, selflessness and strategic acumen that made him a revered figure.
“His transformational leadership and commitment to ensuring the Nigerian Army navigates the ever-evolving global security landscape serve as a testament to his legacy and vision for a stronger and highly efficient army.
“Not only did Gen Lagbaja embody the meaning of honour, loyalty and military professionalism, he was a loving husband and father, a dear friend and above all, a remarkable gentleman and true brother-in-arms.
“I am deeply elated that the leadership of the Nigerian Army has chosen to immortalise General Lagbaja as a legacy to his contributions to the Nigerian Army, and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The choice of the Ikeja Military Cantonment, home to Headquarters 9 Brigade Nigerian Army which the late Chief of Army Staff commanded, is a fitting tribute to his enduring sacrifice and visionary leadership.
“This Cantonment has a long-standing history in the annals of the Nigerian Army and General Lagbaja remains a fixed point in that history, from his exemplary leadership as Brigade Commander to the numerous infrastructural legacies under his watch as Chief of Army Staff.
“In this vein, I wholeheartedly support and appreciate the decision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, to rename this Cantonment after Late Lt Gen Lagbaja. It is a remarkable demonstration of camaraderie that will resonate across generations that are here to bear witness and those yet to come.”
The CDS thanked President Tinubu for his relentless support and strategic guidance to the Armed Forces in its mission to safeguard our national security.
“Let me use this opportunity to once again assure the citizens of our beloved nation that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting our nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“As we honour the legacy and memory of the Twenty-Third Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, I appeal for the public’s continued support and collaboration to address contemporary security challenges of our country. Together, we can achieve the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria for all…
“May TA Lagbaja Cantonment continue to serve as a vital asset in our collective efforts to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. Thank you and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said Gen. Musa.
In his welcome address, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said Lagbaja’s legal IRS had continued to positively impact the lives of soldiers and their families.
“Legacies that are enduring and lay credence to the depth of selflessness and dedication to duty, which mere words cannot express but one can only quantify through irrepressible adoration.
“It is in our bid to make the good memories of our late leaders outlive their generation and etch their deeds in marble that the Nigerian Army names barracks and cantonments after prominent personalities, campaigns, and events.
“On this premise, cantonments and barracks are named after Chiefs of Army Staff who died on active service. Consequently, the Special Forces Barracks in Makurdi was named after Colonel Joe Akaahan, who died in a helicopter crash during the Civil War, and this famous Ikeja Cantonment is today being renamed TA Lagbaja Cantonment.
“However, it has been noted that, inadvertently, the late Lieutenant General I Attahiru was not immortalised in this manner. To correct this error, after due consultation with the top echelon of the Nigerian Army, the Akim Barracks that houses Headquarters 13 Brigade Calabar, which the late Lieutenant General Attahiru commanded, will, in the coming days, be named Ibrahim Attahiru Barracks,” said the COAS.
Oluyede said the army considered Ikeja Cantonment most benefitting to immortalise Lagbaja because of the modest infrastructural developments he spearheaded as Commander 9Brigade, as well as major developmental projects he initiated in the cantonment as COAS.
“Some of these include the extensive renovation of officers and soldiers’ accommodations, upgrade of the schools and medical centre facilities as well as restoration of the cantonment water treatment plant.
“He was also key to resolving the intractable challenge of poor electricity supply to the Cantonment. Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s impactful intervention undoubtedly brought comfort and joy to the cantonment community.
“It was, therefore, no surprise that the proposal to rename this cantonment after him was received with widespread jubilation and warm acceptance by the residents,” he said.
