Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, calling it “a huge misfortune.”
In a statement, Adeleke extended his condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Lagbaja family from the Ilobu community, and the people of Osun State, acknowledging the untimely death of the army chief. The governor praised Lagbaja as a dedicated soldier, a hardworking officer, and a model of the traditional army officer, noting his ambitious vision for modernizing and integrating the Nigerian Army.
The governor said, “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 modernizing and integrating the Nigerian Army.”
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 stabilizer and unifier of the federation.
“In the late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, confidence, and firmness to realize 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 stated.
