…Osun Online Publishers says Osun Nigeria lost shining star
By Ismail Kolapo
Governor Ademola Adeleke, former Osun governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Adegboyega Oyetola, and Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr. Hammeed Adekunle Makama, have mourned the passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The kinsmen of the late General suspended their the annual programme of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the umbrella body of all sons and daughters of Ilobu.
While the Osun Online Publishers Association described his death as a lost of a shining star.
Governor Adeleke commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, the Ilobu community in Osun State as well as the family.
Adeleke, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday described passing of late General as a sad loss the untimely exit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja, calling his transition “a huge misfortune”
“A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu. We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.
“Our late brother has a big vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army. He launched out and commenced the implementation of root and branch reform 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 modernization 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 stabilizer and unifier of the federation. In late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, the confidence and the firmness to realize the vision of a new Nigerian Army.
“Unfortunately, the end came suddenly. We surrendered to the will of the Almighty creator. I commiserate with the Commander – in- Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, my people of Ilobu and the great Lagbaja family.
“We mourn together on this sad occasion. On behalf of the people and Government of Osun state, we extend commiseration to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and the two children .”, Governor Adeleke noted in a statement he personally signed.
Oyetola condoles President, Olobu , Army over Gen. Lagbaja’s death
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II, over the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja.
Oyetola, in a statement by his spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, also condoled with the Nigerian army, the family of the deceased, the people of Ilobu and the entire Osun State, describing Lagbaja’s death as untimely and devastating.
“I received the unfortunate and painful news of the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, with a heavy heart. I commiserate with our President, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II, the people of Ilobu and the entire Osun citizens over the irreplaceable loss.
“The late army general was a patriotic citizen and an outstanding public servant who was committed to his duties and led from the front the battle to end armed banditry in the Northern part of the country.
“I pray Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him a place in Aljanah Firdaus and comfort the family and the loved ones he left behind, including the Olobu of Ilobu.”
Oyinlola mourns General Lagbaja’s death
A former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has sent a message of condolence to family, relations, and colleagues of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Prince Oyinlola, who is also a retired General of the Nigerian Army, described General Lagbaja’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and the military in general.
He, therefore, commiserated with the President and Commander-in-Chief, Senator Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, other service chiefs, senior officers of the armed forces and, indeed, all other officers and men of the Nigerian military.
While sending his condolences to the immediate family of General Lagbaja and the Osun State governor, Mr Ademola Adeleke, the former governor said the loss of the senior officer has made Nigeria, Osun State and the late General’s hometown, Ilobu, poorer.
“General Lagbaja was an example of what true gallantry means. A warrior of the finest breed, the late General showed the best of leadership for the Nigerian Army in the few months he served as the chief. He used his position to preserve the reputation of the Nigerian Army as a very competent fighting force. As he served the country with all his heart, he gave due respect and regards to his elders and seniors.
“When a young man dies like this, the temptation is to ask why? But who are we to query God? He gives and He takes at His own appointed time. The consolation is that he came, played his part well, and left in a blaze of glory. May his gallant soul rest in perfect peace,” Prince Oyinlola said.
Lagbaja: Olowu Condoles Tinubu, Army On COAS’s Death
Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr Hammeed Adekunle Makama, CON, Tegbosun 111, has commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, the Ilobu community in Osun State as well as the family of Chief Of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja who died on Wednesday.
Olowu in a statement issued by his media office, urged the Army not to be despair, but to see the death of the Army chief as a resolve to defeat the insurgence and other associated vices plaguing Nigeria.
According to the monarch, this is the only benefiting tribute as Gen Lagbaja during his lifetime was committed to riding Nigeria of criminal elements.
To the Lagbaja’s family in Ilobu, Osun State, Oba Makama said like all mortals we have to submit to the will of Allah at all times, adding that Gen Lagbaja left an indelible mark on the sand of times.
He said : “A great man is gone. My sincere condolence to Mr. President , Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria Army, my dearest friend, Amb Lt Gen TY Buratai, his immediate family, His Royal Majesty Kabiesi Olobu, members Regular Course 39 and Osun state government.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace .”
Gen Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
IDU Suspends 2024 Ilobu Day Over Death of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja
The Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the umbrella body of all sons and daughters of Ilobu, is greatly shocked by the untimely demise of a great member of the Union, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
In a statement signed by the
IDU National President, Pastor Olufemi Salako.
“The death of Lt Gen. Lagbaja is indeed a devastating one to all of us as it came at a time when his service and leadership are much needed for the development of our community, Osun State and Nigeria at large.
“We take solace in the legacy of service, gallantry, diligence and commitment to Nigeria, he left behind.
“In lieu of the sad development, the National Executive of IDU has announced immediate suspension of all ongoing activities marking the 2024 Ilobu Day Celebration, announcement of a new date for the event shall be made later.
“We call on Nigerians to remember the immediate family of Lt Gen. Lagbaja, Ilobu Community and the Nigeria Army in prayers as we mourn the transition of our son.
Osun Online Publishers Commiserate with Ilobu, Osun, Nigeria Over Death of COAS Taoreed Lagbaja
The Osun Online Publishers Association (OOPA) has expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Ilobu, Osun State, and the Nigerian Army over the tragic passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.
This heartfelt message of sympathy was conveyed by the Chairman of the association, Mukhtar Ajelogbon, in a statement made available by the association’s Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idowu on Wednesday.
OOPA described the untimely death of General Lagbaja as not only shocking but also a great loss to both the Nigerian Army and the entire nation.
“It is with profound sadness that the Osun Online Publishers Association, learned of the sudden passing of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. His death is a painful blow to his family, the people of Ilobu, the Nigerian Army, and the entire country. We stand in solidarity with the grieving families, the Ilobu Development Union (IDU) and the people of Osun State. We lost a shining star in Osun state and Nigeria at large
The Chairman further stated that General Lagbaja’s exemplary leadership, dedication, and service to the country as Chief of Army Staff had left an indelible mark on the operation of the Nigerian Army, noting that Osun state felt his impact in different capacities during his reign as Army boss.
“We recognize the enormous contributions of General Lagbaja towards strengthening the military’s role in ensuring national security.
“His leadership was instrumental in facilitating some developmental projects to Osun, Southwest and other parts of the countries. His vision and strategic thinking will be sorely missed by all who served alongside him.
“General Lagbaja’s legacy would live on not only in his military achievements but also in his positive impact on his hometown and the state at large,” Ajelogbon added.
The statement also conveyed the association’s deepest sympathies to the people of Ilobu where OOPA immediate past Chairman, Jare Tiamiyu hails from, who are grieving the loss of one of their most distinguished sons.
Ajelogbon, however, expressed the association’s unwavering support for the Nigerian Army, and pledged solidarity with the family of the late General, calling for prayers for his soul and for comfort and strength to be granted to his loved ones during this difficult time.
