The nation paid its final respects on Friday, January 19, 2024 to Major General Aderonke Kale (retd), the first female Nigerian Army General, as she was laid to rest at St James Anglican Church in Ijebu Ode, in Ogun State.
Kale, who passed away on 8 November 2023 at the age of 84, leaves behind a legacy of outstanding service and pioneering achievements in the Nigerian military.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja, represented by Major General Gbeminga Adesina, Commander, Corps of Signal, spoke of Kale’s exemplary life, stating, “Her commitment and dedication to the service of the nation, which she served and rose in rank in the Nigerian Army, is worthy of emulation.”
Adesina further noted the immense loss of Kale’s passing, stressing her contributions as “a great loss to the Nigerian Army and the Nation at large.”
The week leading up to the burial was marked by tributes and celebrations of Kale’s life. A service of songs and tribute night was held on 16 January at Admiralty Conference Centre, Lagos, while a wake keep took place at Chapel of the Resurrection Hall, University of Ibadan.
The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army and various senior officers and commanders.
At the news of her death last year, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, had described Kale as an “incredible woman.”
She wrote, “The second recent death of a pioneering and foremost Nigerian, is of Aderonke Kale, an incredible woman that brought so much goodwill to the then dreaded Nigeria Army when she – a medical doctor (trained psychiatrist) of distinction- became Nigeria’s first female major-general in 1978.
“I knew her as “Aunty Ronke” and will always remember her kindness to people; which was well documented and widely spoken of in a book that another Amazon – Professor Bolanle Awe- wrote. I also was a beneficiary of General Kale’s kindness because she always reached out with the kindest words. Always.
“My heart goes out to her outstanding children including our excellent former Statistician General , Dr Yemi Kale @sgyemikale . May they all be embraced by our Lord with His immeasurable comfort and remember Aunty with the fondest memories of her purposeful life of impact. Already missing you so much, my dear Madam General!😭💔”
On his part, The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed his commiserations on behalf of officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army to the family, relations and friends of the deceased Major General Aderonke Kale (retd.) CFR.
Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement, described her demise as a great loss to the Army and the military community as a whole.
According to the statement, her legacies in selfless service to Nigeria and humanity will remain indelible in the hearts of many.
Lagbaja prayed for the repose of her soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreplaceable loss.
