The Nigerian Army has laid to rest the Former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Chris Ali at the National Military Cemetery Abuja on Wednesday 20th December 2023 in military tradition and honours.
At the burial mass earlier held at the St. Joseph Military Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks Asokoro, Abuja, the Acting Director, Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Colonel Anthony Maimagani, said death always calls to Remembrance the task of living a life of Service to humanity.
The body of the Former COAS was later moved to the National Military Cemetery Abuja for the final laying to rest where dignitaries, members of the Armed Forces serving and retired, and family members gathered to pay last respect for his meritorious years of service to the nation.
In a remark at the funeral, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa said, the nation celebrates the life of Service, selfless sacrifice of an officer and a gentleman who unconditionally served his dear nation.
The funeral was attended by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who represented President Bola Tinubu, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state where the late Chief hails from, representative of Plateau Governor, among others.
Major General Alli who was the 15th Chief of Army Staff lead the Nigerian Army from 1993 to 1994 and died in Lagos Nigeria on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 79.
He later served as the military governor of Plateau from Aug. 1985 to 1986 during the military regime of the then Head of State, lbrahim Babangida, as well as Interim Administrator of Plateau in 2004 under the civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.