By Sumaila Ogbaje, NAN
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Monday, paid a condolence visit to Hajiya Rabi Duba, widow of the late Lt.-Gen. Garba Duba, who passed on May 17 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Lagbaja who was accompanied by some top brass of the Nigerian Army (NA), commiserated with the widow of the deceased, as well as other members of the family.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday in Abuja.
The COAS described the demise of Gen. Duba as shocking and a colossal loss, not only to the army but also to the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation at large.
He extolled the virtues of the late General, describing him as a torch bearer, a disciplinarian, a mentor and a leader, who brought up most of the top brass of the army as the then Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
According to him, his contributions to the development of the army and the defence of the nation will remain indelible in the institutional memory.
He assured the family of the deceased General that the Nigerian army would continue to support them whenever the need arises.
Responding on behalf of the, the first son of the late general, Mohammed Duba, expressed appreciation to the COAS and the entire army for the condolence visit and show of love.
He said that the army had stood by their father throughout his life time and in death.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the late Lt.-Gen. Duba reportedly passed on after a brief illness.
“During his active service, he held numerous appointments notably, General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy and Chief of Training and Operations Defence Headquarters.
“He was also one time Governor of Bauchi State from 1978 – 1979 during the regime of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo
“He was also the Administrator of Sokoto State from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,” Nwachukwu said. (NAN)