Unveiling of the book, ‘The man, the soldier, the patriot,’ on Saturday in Abuja.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, May 21, 2022

Family, friends and military hierarchy on Saturday converged on Abuja, in honour of the late 21st Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, to inaugurate a foundation to immortalise him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that late Attahiru, alongside 10 other senior officers and men, died in an ill-fated Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft aircraft that crashed in Kaduna on May 21, 2021.

The dignitaries who graced the memorial event included the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, and Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Salihu Magashi who was represented by the Director Army Affairs, Mr Sunday Attah.

Also in attendance were the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, leading Environmentalist, Dr Newton Jibuno and the Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs. Vickie Irabor.

Others included a former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and wife of Kaduna State Governor, Mrs. Aisha El-Rufai.

Members of the diplomatic corps as well as serving and retired top military officers were also in attendance.

Mrs. Fati Attahiru, the widow of the late Army chief, said the foundation was a testimony of God’s grace in the lives of her family members and celebration of the legacy of “a hero that would never be forgotten.”

Mrs. Attahiru said the inauguration of General Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation (GIAF), was to ensure that the humanitarian activities of her late husband would not be abandoned.

She said the launching of the foundation was borne out of the need to have all the ideals and principles of her husband fulfilled.

On her part, Mrs. Irabor commended the resilience of Mrs. Attahiru, saying she had demonstrated the strength of a soldier’s wife.

The wife of the Chief of Defence Staff said the officers’ wives were not afraid to be military wives, adding that they were ready for anything.

She pledged the support of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) to the foundation.

The Chairman, Board of the foundation, Mr. Didi Ndiomu, said the event was organised to launch the foundation and an endowment fund to sustain the projects and programmes of the foundation.

Ndiomu said the event was also designed to provide families, friends, colleagues, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners and the military family the opportunity to remember the late general.

According to him, it also provides an opportunity for all to identify with the families of the fallen soldiers for paying the supreme price to keep the country safe, free and united.

NAN reports that Attahiru’s posthumous biography titled, ‘The man, the soldier, the patriot, biography of Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim’, written by Niran Adedokun, was also unveiled.

Ndiomu said that every kobo realised from the sale of the book would be used to support the foundation.

Meanwhile, Prof. Soyinka, at the event, eulogised the late Lt.-Gen. Attahiru, for his sacrifice for Nigeria to ensure that it remained safe, secure and united.

Soyinka, who delivered a tribute titled, “To All Who Give Their All for All” at the event, said the nation had continued to pay huge price to impunity of religion and has continued to suffer from the menace.

He urged religious leaders to play sufficient role in promoting religious tolerance and harmony towards putting an end to impunity by their followers.

He cautioned Nigerians to stop killing each other in the name of religion, insisting that it was high time the culture of impunity was eradicated in the country.

“We have already continued to pay too high price for the culture of appeasement and impunity.

“Let it end now in the name of all those who have served this nation and given their lives for this nation,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, in his tribute described the late Attahiru as a leader par excellence, who cared about his comrades and subordinates in the discharge of his military profession.

Yahaya, who was represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs (Army), Maj.-Gen. Marcus Kangye, said the late COAS was a source of inspiration to many officers and soldiers.

According to him, his exemplary leadership style as a professional military officer was a catalyst for the officers and men of the Nigerian army.

“He inspired officers and men of the Nigerian army to strive for success in operations across theatres of operation in the country.

“I am proud to say that his legacy lives on and he will forever be remembered from generation to generation,” he said.

Yahaya commended the brain behind the creation of the foundation, saying it was a step in the right direction to give memory of the late general.

He said the establishment of GIAF had given credence to the saying that ‘old soldier never dies’, saying it was an opportunity to remember the senior officers and soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice along with Attahiru.

He pledged that the Nigerian Army would always uphold the values and principles for which the late army chief was known.

Also, Mr. Babajide Otitoju of TVC, eulogised the late army chief, whom he described as a selfless and passionate military officer with zeal to achieve results.

Otitoju recalled the order of the late Attahiru to troops in the North East to clear terrorists from Marte in Borno within 48 hours, which was achieved.

He also recalled the late COAS’ interaction with members of the National Assembly, saying the instances endeared late Attahiru to him.

Otitoju, who said he had always criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of public officials, said he lauded Buhari for the first time on the appointment of late Gen. Attahiru.