Worst Fears Confirmed As Presidency Announces Taoreed Lagbaja’s Death… 2024 Ilobu Day Reportedly Suspended…The Late General’s Unfulfilled Dreams
The presidency on Wednesday announced the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja and it was a sad development that has confirmed Nigerians’ worst fears.
Recall that there were media reports claiming he (Lagbaja) had died on October 20 ,2024, but this was later described as untrue by the Nigerian Army.
President Bola Tinubu had a few days ago appointed Olufemi Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and he had since been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, announced Lagbaja’s passing in a statement he issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
The late General Lagbaja was appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.
Onanuga noted that Lagbaja died in Lagos on Tuesday night after a period of illness.
‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contribution to the nation’ the statement said.
Presidency also noted that Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment throughout his service, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion adding that he played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
Lagbaja, an alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
The late Chief of Army Staff, an indigene of Ilobu , headquarters of Irepodun Local Government , Osun State, had many unfulfilled dreams.
Sadly, General Lagbaja did not enjoy the privilege of setting foot in Ilobu as Chief of Army Staff and this may have been a consequence of the dramas that got enacted in his early days in office which almost led to communal conflict between the town and its neighbor, Ifon-Osun.
The issue had to do with the proposal to build a military hospital in Opapa area of Gbere Odofin which the Ifon-Osun people had objected to arguing that the place belongs to their town.
Though, nothing was heard about it anymore after the dramas as they had paused ‘action’ on the project, the late Lagbaja apparently stayed off the town to avoid being made to get directly involved.
Sources told Team@orientactualmags.com that during the 50th coronation anniversary of the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan on May 25, 2024, Lagbaja was around in the state but stayed in Osogbo, the state capital.
The late General Taoreed Lagbaja was according to a source planning to celebrate the 2024 Christmas and New Year at his newly completed building in Ilobu which would have been the first time he would be setting foot in the town since becoming the Chief of Army Staff.
He had his father’s two -storey building near Ojutu Bridge on Osogbo-Ogbomosho Road renovated and built his own near it but sadly he has died without getting to visit the place.
As the news of his death spreads on Wednesday residents of Osun State spoke in sepulchral tones and had mournful facial expression.
Particularly hard-it by the news of Lagbaja’s demise are the residents and indigenes of Ilobu cognizant that he had left for the great beyond when the 2024 Ilobu Day is just a few days away.
The event is expected to be held on November 9, 2024.
Sources however told Team@orientactualmags.com that a decision has been reportedly taken to suspend the planned event until further notice-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you.
