A former Chief of Army Staff, Chris Alli, was laid to rest yesterday at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
The burial was attended by President Bola Tinubu’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; and a delegate of Plateau State Governor. Serving and former military chiefs, as well as other famous Nigerians and their families.
A funeral mass was also given in his honor at St. Joseph Military Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks Asokoro, Abuja.
The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, said at the funeral that the deceased served Nigeria with dedication and worked for the country’s peace, development, and togetherness.
The minister, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, stated that the late former COAS had a tremendous impact on professionalizing and repositioning the army to be a force to be reckoned with in both the regional and global spheres.
He went on to say that the late general led an excellent life worthy of imitation.
Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), also spoke, saying that the late Alli had displayed passion and devotion to duty throughout his life, which was marked by love for country and service to humanity.
According to the army chief, Alli demonstrated an unrivaled sense of responsibility and dedication to service, and his love and enthusiasm were visible in everything he did.
Alli, a former major general, died on November 19 at the age of 79 in Lagos. He served as Nigeria’s 15th Chief of Army Staff under late President Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1994.
He was also the military governor of Plateau State from August 1985 to 1986 during President Ibrahim Babangida’s military rule, and the interim administrator of Plateau in 2004 during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian administration.
