By Mariam Sanni
Body of the late Brigadier-General Zakari Saidu was laid to rest at the Guards Brigade Military Cemetery, Lungi Barracks, Abuja, following a solemn funeral service attended by senior military officers and dignitaries.
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant-General OO Oluyede was represented by the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Major-General AK Ibrahim.
Also in attendance were principal staff officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, including the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major-General AB Ibrahim, as well as the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Admiral I Dewu.
Reading the funeral oration, the commandant of the NDA eulogised the late Brigadier-General as “brilliant, resourceful, diligent, self-assured and a consummate professional with impeccable integrity and the resoluteness to shoulder additional responsibilities.” The oration paid tribute to his dedication to service and commitment to the nation.
Born on January 19, 1971 in Kaduna and a native of Kaduna North Local Government Area, Brigadier-General Saidu earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Nigerian Defence Academy and a Masters of Science from Mufta University, Jordan.
He was granted Regular Commission as a member of the 41 Regular Combatant Course on September 17, 1994 in the rank of second lieutenant. An officer of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, he rose to the rank of Brigadier-General in 2021.
Until his passing on August 31, the late officer was serving at the Nigerian Defence Academy as TETFUND Desk Officer, an appointment he assumed on January 20. In recognition of his meritorious service, he was decorated with several honours, including the Distinguished Service Star, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Command Medal, Nigerian Army Purple Heart, General Operations Medal and was a Fellow of the Royal National Defence College (Jordan).
Highlights of the funeral included reveille, a one-minute silence, reading of the funeral oration, presentation of the National Flag to the next of kin, a firing volley and the sounding of the last post. Family, colleagues and military comrades joined in paying their last respects to a seasoned officer who served his country for more than three decades.
Earlier, the military community comprising serving and retired senior officers, soldiers among others attended the funeral prayer conducted at the Guards Brigade Central Mosque, Mambilla Cantonment Abuja. They mourned his loss and extended condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
