BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Dignitaries have continued to dominate the media space with glowing tributes as Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja dies at 56.
Lagbaja, who was Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff died on Tuesday November 5, 2024 after a brief illness in Lagos.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga confirmed Lagbaja's death in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said: "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."
Tinubu, who expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, wished Lagbaja eternal peace, just as he honoured his significant contributions to the nation.
While directing the postponement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President Tinubu also ordered that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.
Acting COAS, Oluyede
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Olufemi Oluyede described Lagbaja as a dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader.
His tribute was captured in a statement by the Spokesman of Nigerian Army, Maj.-General Onyema Nwachukwu.
It reads: "The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has paid a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff who passed on Tuesday 5th November 2024 after a brief illness.
"Gen Oluyede paid the condolence on Wednesday 6 November 2024, at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks Abuja, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.
"Paying tribute to the late COAS, Gen Oluyede extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general."
He noted that Lagbaja gave his all to the service of Nigeria as evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he left behind.
"We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed," he added.
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed sadness over the demise of Lagbaja.
Mrs. Tinubu was accompanied by Mrs. Shettima during a condolence visit to Lagbaja’s widow, Mariya.
In a condolence message personally signed by her, she said: "It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.
"Throughout his career, the late Chief of Army Staff exemplified valor, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the service of our dear country.
"I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, children, family, friends, colleagues and associates. May Almighty God comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
The First Lady who was also accompanied by the wife of the National Security Adviser, Hajia Ribadu, was received by the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Oghogho Musa, who prayed for the family.
While comforting Mariya, and the children, Mrs Tinubu noted that only the Lord could determine when a man dies.
She urged them to be comforted by the good life and legacies he left behind, just as she enjoined the children to remain focused and pursue their fathers ideals.
Former President Buhari
Former President Muhammadu Buhari described Lagbaja as a patriot and outstanding officer, who served the nation with utmost diligence.
In a statement, Buhari said that he was deeply shocked by the news of the death of Lagbaja, saying that Nigeria lost one of its finest soldiers.
Buhari recalled that when he was the Commander-in-Chief, Lagbaja was one of the commanders of army that caught his attention as one of the bravest officers, who served the nation with utmost devotion.
"In the various frontlines of internal security operations, including Operation Zaki in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States, General Lagbaja left no one in doubt about his military capabilities.
"He left his indelible footprints as a professional soldier and inspiring commander wherever he served. I pray to the Almighty to repose of his soul and reward his courageous services to the Nigerian Army and the nation, "he added.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen described Lagbaja’s passing as a huge loss to the Armed Forces and Nigeria as a country.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the speaker recalled how Lagbaja visited military bases across the country, especially in the North-East and North-West, to motivate soldiers at the battlefields shortly after his appointment as COAS.
While rating him as a gallant military officer, Abbas stated that the late Army Chief recorded modest achievements in a short period as the COAS.
The Speaker commiserated President Bola Tinubu, Nigerian Armed Forces, Lagbaja family, the people, and government of Osun State over the loss, just as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Chief of Army Staff.
Briefly
Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State. He spent his early years in Osogbo, where he attended St. Charles Grammar School and the Local Authority Teachers College.
He was admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as part of the 39th Regular Course. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Infantry Corps.
Lagbaja earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy and bagged a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies at the US Army War College.
He served as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy from 2001 to 2004, as a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at Army Headquarters, and as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College from 2006 to 2009.
In 2008, he attended the Military Observers Course at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji (February–May) and the ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course at the Peacekeeping Centre in Bamako, Mali (June–August 2010).
Late Lt General Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in Enugu and Kaduna, respectively.
He also commanded 9 Brigade Ikeja and 2 Brigade Uyo as well as 72 Special Forces Battalion on two separate tours of duty.
But on June 19, 2023, Lagbaja was appointed as the 23rd COAS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Comments
Post a Comment