The late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, was posthumously honoured with a PhD in Military Science by the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

The COAS died alongside others in a plane crash at the Kaduna International Airport in May 2021.

The award was received by his wife, Mrs Fati Attahiru, during the convocation lecture in honour of 68 Regular Course Cadets and postgraduate students of the institution.

Shortly after receiving the award, which she dedicated to Nigeria’s fallen heroes, Mrs Attahiru said her husband, while alive, was guided by three principles – sense of purpose, self-confidence and fearlessness.

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According to her he was a combination of courage, loyalty, poise and gallantry personified.

She said, “He, indeed, was and remains an inspiration to all, as he lived a very simple life focusing on three guiding principles which I would like to share with the graduands here today.

“The need to have a sense of purpose by aspiring for something that pulls you into the future, overcoming all challenges encountered on the way as you climb through the ladder in your careers as military officers.

“Self-confidence is essential in your careers to believe in yourselves by not neglecting the small daily disciplines, by doing your best in all you do, no matter how little, to develop yourselves to be persistent in your efforts not to quit.

“More importantly, to be fearless; he would have challenged the graduating cadets to be fearless and aspire to be the best by reaching the peak of their careers like he did.”