President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of former Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant-General Joshua Dogonyaro (Rtd.), as a loss to both the military and the country.
The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the news of Dogonyaro’s death came to him as a shock.
Describing him as a selfless and patriotic Nigerian, President Buhari recalled that Lieutenant-General Dogonyaro invested the prime of his life in the service of the country.
He said the death of Dogonyaro was “a great loss, not only to the Nigerian military but also to the country because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of its unity and territorial integrity.
“The death of Dogonyaro comes as a great shock to me because as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country,” the President says.
The President noted that “laying down one’s life for the country is one of the greatest sacrifices any citizen can make to his country. General Dogonyaro’s incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come.”
President Buhari also extended deepest condolences to the Government and people of Plateau State on the passing of ‘‘this legendary general.’’
He prayed Almighty God to bless the soul of the departed and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.