Metro
Effective Operations: We’ll Sustain Partnership with Security Stakeholders – COAS Lagbaja
The Nigerian Army has expressed its resolve to partner reputable stakeholders in the Defence and Security Industry for the procurement of requisite equipment and platforms that would enhance its operational effectiveness.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, according to a statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, and sighted by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), disclosed this during the Army Headquarters Fourth Quarter 2023 Procurement Seminar themed, “Implications of the New Central Bank of Nigeria Foreign Exchange Policy on International Trade: Challenges for the Nigerian Army”, held at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja.
Elucidating further, the COAS pointed out, that government policies are critically important to the successful attainment of NA constitutional mandate, adding that one of such policies is the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent Foreign Exchange Policy, which has continued to have significant implications for NA contracts requiring foreign exchange. He noted that this development has resulted in requests for payment of variations, which he described, as unfavourable to the NA. He explained that the need to forge mutual understanding of the CBN policy amongst stakeholders informed the theme of the seminar.
The Army Chief affirmed, that as Nigeria’s contemporary security space continues to deepen the relevance of military logistics contractors in Nigerian Army’s sustenance plans, it becomes expedient to have the seminar in order to promote mutual understanding amongst stakeholders to help the NA aggregate value for Government allocations.
Gen Lagbaja maintained that the primary objective of establishing the Directorate is ‘contract and contractor relationship management to enable the NA obtain the best value for funds released to its contractors and business partners for execution of various contracts and projects, while ensuring fairness, integrity and transparency’.
The COAS declared that under his leadership, the NA will view all forms of short-changing with the seriousness it deserves and ensure that contractors mobilized for various jobs deliver as agreed, adding that the NA remains open to partnering relevant stakeholders on terms favourable to all and give value to the Federal Government that funds its activities.
The COAS appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his tireless support by providing the means for the NA to procure vital requirements. He also expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Office of the National Security Adviser, CBN, Bureau of Public Procurement and other stakeholders for their support. He expressed optimism that the seminar will facilitate renewed commitment to building and sustaining an efficient procurement system that meets international best practices.
In his remarks, the Director Procurement, Major General Adeyinka Adereti, stated that the objective of the seminar is to enhance participants understanding of the rudiments of operational contract support in an ever-changing global context.
He emphasized that public procurement and foreign exchange policies and regulations continue to be the guiding compass for the award of contracts and procurement of platforms, which would enhance NA operations and improve the Army’s posture to perform its role.
He revealed that global procurement processes have taken a new turn due to changes in the international system and the prevailing security climate, hence the need to organize the procurement seminar.
Highlights of the opening ceremony were robust interactive sessions, group photographs and presentation of souvenirs to resource persons, as well as discussants and moderators.
Metro
Tinubu, Shettima, Akpabio Others Pay Homage As Lagbaja Receives Full Military Burial, Posthumous CFR Honours
The late chief of army staff (CAOS) Taoreed Lagbaja has been buried.
Lagbaja was buried on Friday at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
He died at the age of 56 after battling an undisclosed ailment.
Funeral proceedings began on Thursday with a service of songs at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu cantonment, Abuja. A funeral service was held on Friday at the National Christian Centre.
The highpoint of the funeral proceedings was the conference of posthumous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic by President Bola Tinubu, who was present at the event.
Lagbaja was appointed COAS by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
The body of late Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived in Abuja where he will be buried on Friday.
The Nigerian Air Force plane NAF 918 carrying the body of the late CoAS landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, at around 12:15pm.
The remains of the late CoAS left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos around 11am.
The military top brass were on ground to receive the remains of the late CoAS in Abuja, with military band playing to the loudest.
Upon arrival at the Abuja airport, a guard of honor was accorded to the body of the late CoAS and was taken down this red carpet in full view of Nigeria’s military top brass.
Lagbaja’s body will be interned on Friday at the national military cemetery, Abuja.
The CoAS died last week Tuesday, according to the presidency.
Lagbaja passed away in Lagos after a period of illness. However, the illness was not disclosed.
During this difficult time, President Bola Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
His military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
Lt. General Lagbaja also served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in South East Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger states.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
Friends and family members of a newly wed lady are still perplexed over her tragic demise on her wedding day.
The tragic incident occurred in Douala, Cameroon on October 26, 2024.
The lady, identified as Sorelle Emmanuella Kamga, was joyfully performing at her own wedding reception when suddenly she slumped, and was later declared dead by medics.
News of her sudden death went viral on October 27 when the video of her performing with her bridesmaids and husband spraying money at her circulated on social media platforms.
Invitees were pictured expressing shock as Sorelle, adorned in her beautiful wedding party dress, slumped while singing for her spouse.
A photographer who was covering the event, said the song she was singing is that of Ivorian artiste, Roseline Layo, titled: “Mogo Fariman.”
The celebrant had chosen the song to announce the cutting of the wedding cake, which ceremony did not see the light of day, as her sudden death marred the wedding reception.
The reception hall of Johannesburg Hotel, where the wedding reception was taking place, suddenly went cold after the sad and shocking incident.
The photographer recounted: “When it was time to cut the wedding cake, the bride went out to change her attire with her husband.
“On return to the hall, she took the mic and started singing for her husband.
“She called her husband to join her on stage.
“He moved towards her with a cigar in his mouth and began spraying money on her.
“First, a ten thousand note, a second ten thousand note…when the man threw the third one, that was when she slumped before him, and that was all.
“We saw something really serious at the hotel that Saturday.
“People immediately rushed to rescue the victim.
“She was rushed to the Adlucem Hospital in Akwa-Nord.
“There, the medics on service referred her to the Douala General Hospital.
“It was at the General Hospital that she was clinically declared dead.”
The photographer said immediately the news of the bride’s demise was announced, the atmosphere at the reception turned gloomy.
Those who had come to celebrate the wedding suddenly became mourners.
Three of the guests were said to have collapsed after receiving news of the bride’s sudden death.
A few hours to the sad development, the now late Sorelle was all joyful, feasting and coordinating the decoration details of her wedding.
Many could not imagine that the day would end without her.
According to family sources, Manuella Kamga and her spouse, Émile, spent seven years together and had three children.
They had planned their wedding in 2020, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed.
A relative said: “This year, we rescheduled the wedding; the dowry was paid on Friday, then yesterday (Saturday), it was the civil wedding.
“It was during the reception that the tragedy occurred in the middle of the hall.
“My little cousin leaves a husband and three pretty little girls, having worn her wedding ring just for a few hours.
“What we often read on Facebook – that people die on their wedding day, has also hit our family.
“Rest in peace, Sorelle Manuella!”
