The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adelele, has described as a sad loss the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoheed Lagbaja.
Governor Adeleke, in a personally signed statement issued on Wednesday in Osogbo, also declared that the demise of General Lagbaja is “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.”
DAILY POST had earlier reported that the death General Lagbaja was announced to the nation on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu announced the death of Lagbaja through a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
COAS Lagbaja’s demise: Gov Adeleke mourns, condoles family, Ilobu people
