From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja, Scholastica Hir, Makurdi, Lateef Dada, Osogbo, Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo and Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, postponed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Lagbaja who died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness was born on February 28, 1968 in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun.
He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023 by President Tinubu.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, announced to the cabinet members who were already seated in the Council Chambers in the State House that President Tinubu ordered the postponement of the FEC meeting and called for a minute’s silence in his honour.
A statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, read: “General Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.
“President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.
“Earlier today, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. He wished Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honoured his significant contributions to the nation.”
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, described him as a gallant and hardworking officer. “He was, indeed, a warrior. He has served in so many theaters and has done commendably well. It’s a very sad loss for the country. We pray to Allah Subhanawu wathala to receive his soul.”
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said his demise was a great loss to the nation and urged continued prayers for the officer and his family.
“We enjoyed working with him because, as the Honorable Minister said, he was a gallant officer, and it’s a great loss to this nation. And all we can say is ask God to bless the family, and we urge Nigerians to continue praying for the spirit of Lagbaja. We send our condolences to his family because it’s a great loss to the nation.”
•Mbah, Alia: Gallant officer, patriot
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, described him as a gallant and patriotic officer, who gave his all to the nation. He said his death was a personal loss to the government and people of Enugu State.
“I received with a deep sense of loss the sad news of the passing of the former Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. This is a grave loss to not only the Nigerian Army and the entire nation, but also a personal loss to the government and people of Enugu State where he served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, from March 2021 to August 2022.
“He was a distinguished officer, who saw it all and deservedly rose to the apex of his chosen career. From the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), the various army high commands he superintended and ultimately as the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Lagbaja distinguished himself as a consummate academic, gallant officer, quintessential leader, and patriot.
“It is also worthy of mention that as Chief of the Army Staff, he lent his total support to our administration’s fight against insecurity without which the tremendous successes we have recorded in that regard could not have been possible.
“Therefore, on behalf of the government and good people of Enugu State, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Tinubu, GCFR; the Nigerian Army and security services, his immediate family, and the government and good people of Osun State and pray God to grant his soul a peaceful repose,” the governor stated.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in a message of condolence to President Tinubu, described the late Chief of Army Staff as someone who played key roles in ensuring internal security in the country.
He said Lagbaja, especially developed a keen interest in the security situation in Benue State, and had worked assiduously with his administration to ensure that peace returned in the state.
He prayed to God to give his immediate family, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the whole country, the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Alia equally asked God to grant him eternal rest.
•Adeleke, Oborevwori, Kefas, Nwifuru mourn
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in a statement he personally signed in Osogbo, said a huge misfortune had befallen the people of his state, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu town.
“We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hands of death. Our late brother has a big vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army.
“He launched and commenced the implementation of root and branch reforms of the Nigerian Army. Within his short stint in office, he enforced professionalism and battled terrorists and bandits with terrifying fierceness.
“Our late brother was a very hardworking officer, a true workaholic, a fierce soldier, a replica of the traditional army officer with an ambitious plan for modernisation and integration of the Nigerian Army. “In my last encounter with him, he exuded hope and aspirations of a better Nigeria with the military as a stabiliser and unifier of the federation.
“In the late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, the confidence and the firmness to realise the vision of a new Nigerian Army.
Check this story for part 2
Tinubu, govs, others mourn Lagbaja, ex-army chief (2)