Adeleke mourns Lagbaja 

Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has mourned the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja, describing it as “a huge misfortune.”

In a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, Wednesday, described the late COAS as “a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot, saying that a huge misfortune has befallen the state, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu.

“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 realise 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,” Adeleke said.