Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has expressed profound sadness over the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, describing it as “a huge misfortune.”
Adeleke, in a press statement signed by him on Wednesday, condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Lagbaja family of the Ilobu community, and the people of Osun State on the untimely death of the army chief.
Describing Lagbaja as a hardworking officer, a dedicated soldier, and a model of the traditional army officer, Adeleke said the deceased had an ambitious vision for modernising and integrating the Nigerian Army.
“A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian Army, and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu.
“We have lost a rare breed, a gentleman, and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.
“Our late brother held a significant vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army. He initiated root-and-branch reforms for the military.
“In his short tenure, he enforced professionalism and fiercely confronted terrorists and bandits.
“Our late brother was a very hardworking officer, a true workaholic, and a fierce soldier, exemplifying the traditional army officer with an ambitious plan for modernising and integrating the Nigerian Army,” the governor stated.
Recalling his last encounter with the deceased, Adeleke said the meeting reflected Lagbaja’s hope and aspirations for a better Nigeria, with the military as a stabiliser and unifier of the federation.
“In the late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, confidence, and firmness to realise the vision of a new Nigerian Army.
“Unfortunately, the end came suddenly, and we surrender 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 our condolences to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and the two children,” the governor added.
