The remains of Major General Christoper Adewole Thomas (retd), former Aide-de-Camp to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was on Thursday, February 20, 2025, laid to rest at the military cemetery, off Umaru Musa Yar’Adua way, Abuja.
There was also Service of Songs in his honour at the Four Square Gospel Church, Asokoro on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 which was attended by top miliary officers both serving and retired, clergy men that included ArchBishop John Onayekan, members of his Old Boys of Barewa Secondary School, Zaria, his IBB Golf Club members, burial funeral ceremony took place on Thursday after a military ceremony and honour.
Most of the dignitaries at the Service of Songs eulogised his meritorious service to the nation and his philanthropic, kind and humane nature while alive.
His close ally in the military and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), described the late Jemitola as the epitome of a professional soldier.
General Irabor, who the late General Jemitola used to call by his initials LEO, said; “General Chris Jemitola was a perfect example of an officer and a gentleman. I had the privilege of meeting him in NDA. He was my senior, and we served together in the signal corps. Throughout his service, he showed the character of a professional soldier—calm, reliable, and dedicated. He will be deeply missed”.
Irabor recalled that the deceased called to check on him and his family two weeks before his death, saying; “Just less than two weeks ago, he called me up and asked after me and my family. What a rare privilege. And then to also know that that would be my last conversation with him—it’s truly a sad day.
“But, of course, my comfort is that he lived a good life. I also pray for his family and children, for God to comfort them,” Irabor said.
In his own tribute, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, described the late General Jemitola as a mentor.
Lt. General Oluyede, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Major General Lawrence Fejekwu, said; “The late General Jemitola was a mentor to all of us. He was a calm officer with a good heart, always approachable, and willing to guide younger officers. The presence of so many dignitaries today is a testament to the impact he had on others.”
In her special tribute, the wife of late General Jemitola, Mrs Safiya Jemitola, said there was always a dignified presence about her late husband which one couldn’t quite explain but, it was felt.
According to Safiya; “The military was his life and shaped him to be the fine gentleman he was. It was a perfect match because of the values he already had and those that he would later learn and lead in life”.
In his won tribute, the son of late General Jemitola, Caleb, said he would miss the lessons taught by his father, who he said always found a lesson in every moment.
Caleb said; “What I miss most about my dad is his lessons. He found a lesson in every moment, always trying to teach me something. We could be watching the most casual of videos, and he would ask, ‘What did you learn from this? What can you take away from this?’
“We could see something happening on the road, and he would try to teach me something from that. And now that he isn’t here anymore, I know that there isn’t anyone in my life who can offer me the same advice and counsel that he did.
“So, all I can do now is hold on to everything he taught me and do my best to make him as proud as I possibly can,” he enthused.
