Lagbaja’s Death, Huge Loss To Osun – Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke has described as a sad loss the untimely exit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, calling his transition “a huge misfortune”

The Governor in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday said the state lost a rare breed, who was a true patriot till death.

Adeleke said, “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.

READ: Chief Of Army Staff, Lagbaja Is Dead

“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.

• Community Mourns, Suspends Annual Event In Honour Of Slain COAS

Similarly, Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the community development association of Lagbaja’s hometown, Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government area of Osun State has suspended activities for this year’s Ilobu Day.

In a statement by its President, Pastor Olufemi Salako, the community said the COAS’s demise is devastating when his service and leadership are needed for the development of the town.

“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.

“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.

“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,” the statement read.