Nigerian Army Buries Its Former Chief Of Army Staff, Alli, Amid Eulogies
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
A former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, late Major General Mohammed Chris Alli (rtd) has been laid to rest in a solemn ceremony held at the National Cemetery, Abuja.
The Late Major General Chris Alli (rtd) born on 25 December 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, served the nation in the Armed Forces of Nigeria in various capacities, leaving behind enduring legacies.
General Chris Alli’s sojourn in the NA began on 20 October 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course and he served diligently in several capacities, cutting across Staff, Instructional as well as Command appointments and was at a time the Military Administrator of Plateau State.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, while speaking at his interment, celebrated the selfless and sacrificial life of the deceased, whom he said, served the nation and the Armed Forces without blemish.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, noted that the former COAS, made a significant impact on professionalism and repositioning of the NA, to become a force to reckon with both in regional and global scenes.
The Defence Minister, further stated that General Alli’s lifetime underscores his legacy of delectable character, patriotism and service to the nation and urged all personnel to promote the values he connoted, pursue national peace and security, development and the unity of Nigeria.
In his remarks, the COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, saluted the impeccable life of Gen Chris Ali (rtd), his passion and devotion to duty, describing his lifetime as one characterized by service to humanity and a distinguished career in the NA, which climaxed in his appointment as the 15th Chief of Army Staff from November 1993 until his meritorious disengagement from active service in August, 1994.
General Lagbaja on behalf of officers and soldiers of the NA extended condolences to the bereaved families of the former COAS, adding that the Senior Officer will be missed by all who knew and loved him while alive.
A Funeral Mass was earlier conducted in memoriam of the deceased senior officer at the Saint Joseph’s Military Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.
A statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, counted dignitaries in attendance at the funeral to include former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, former Chiefs of Defence and Army Staff, traditional leaders, senior officers both serving and retired, among several others.
