Ilobu urges Tinubu to Immortalize Late Chief Army Staff, Lagbaja

– Holds 33rd Ilobu Day celebration
BY: Solihu Abdulsemih

The Ilobu-Asake Development Union has urged the President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Army Staff to immortalized late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja with projects for his legacy.
The President of the Union, Pastor Olufemi Salako disclosed this on Monday at a press conferences at a week-long schedule of activities to mark the 33rd Ilobu Day celebration.

Salako said that Lagbaja has done effortlessly well by serving the Nation and there should several projests to be done in his memory.

He maintained that the town was unable to hold the event last year due to sudden death of the illustrious son of the town (late Chief of Army Staff.)

He added that they will continue to engage the Nigerian Army to establish a lasting memorial in Ilobu.
He acknowledged that the Nigerian Army, through its Community Relationship unit, had already built and completed a modern hospital in Ilobu, a project engineered by the late General Lagbaja, saying ”The Union is now pushing for the commissioning of the facility and further legacy project.”

He also said that the community had initially requested for the former Army Chief to be buried in his hometown, a request that was declined by the Presidency and Army headquarters, which opted for a State Burial in Abuja

“We know what we have produced, visitors coming here for anniversary and there is nothing to show them. We need to show him publicly that he is our son.

“We are still calling on the Army that they should not relent on their promise, there is a new secondary school we are proposing and they can take that over, naming it as Lagbaja Memorial School and it will forever be there,” he said.

The Union president expressed confidence that the Army would honour one of its most distinguished officers with a tangible project in his homeland, ensuring his extraordinary service to the nation is permanently memorialized in his community.
He, however, said that this year celebration, which began on November 1 with the themed “lasting memories” and features a blend of health programmes, educational competitions, cultural displays, and sporting events. A key highlight will be the recognition of nine family compounds for their contributions to the community’s development.

He further said that grand finale on Saturday, November 8, is expected to host the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, alongside other dignitaries for a fund-raising event.

While expressing gratitude to Governor Adeleke for the reconstruction of the collapsed Ilobu Grammar School bridge, Pastor Salako used the opportunity to appeal for government assistance for victims of the recent communal crisis in the area.

He emphasized that over two billion naira worth of properties destroyed during the crisis “remain in ruins,” leaving many businesses devastated and families homeless. He called on the state government to help those affected and to find ways of resetting the displaced populace.