The Defence and Army Headquarters (DHQ/AHQ) Team, comprising several Maj Gen’s, Officers and Soldiers, lead by the Chief of Accounts and Budgets, DHQ, Major General KI Yusuf, were in Osun State on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, to commiserate with the family of late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, whose unfortunate demise occurred on 5 November 2024.
On arrival at Osun State, the team headed for the government house, where they were received by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, alongside his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi and other members of his cabinet. The team subsequently paid condolence visits in company of the Governor, to His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Ashiru Olatoye, the Olobu of Ilobu Kingdom, in his Palace; and family of the late Army Chief.
While delivering the condolence message, Major General KI Yusuf, noted that the team’s mission was in absolute honour to late General Lagbaja; adding that the sad news of his demise, has left very shocking waves on all personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
He said, “we are also here to convey and express the condolences of the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and members of the AFN; particularly, members of the NA, who he led and commanded during his lifetime”
“General Lagbaja, was a pragmatic and gallant officer, who fought and commanded his troops from the front, against terrorism and other criminalities bedeviling Nigeria. He took the welfare of his troops very seriously, and these are well evidenced in the several completed and ongoing projects which he approved across the country.
The NA under his command, has witnessed great transformation”, he added. General Yusuf, further encouraged the family of the deceased, to brace up with the circumstance, in order to pull through the trying period; assuring them of the AFN’s continued support to the family. He conveyed to the Lagbaja Family, President Bola Tinubu’s directive to give the late COAS a state burial at the National Military Cemetary in Abuja.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, lamented the loss of General Lagbaja, saying he was an illustrious son of Osun State, whose exemplary life of simplicity, generosity, patriotism, dedication and sacrifice, will remain indelible in the history books.
He recounted his personal interactions with the late COAS and his immense support towards the realization of an Airport in Osun State among several projects he initiated in the State. He appreciated the AFN for the condolence visits urging for a sustained communication with the family, and the entire state.
In the same vein, the Royal Father, Oba Ashiru Olatoye, in an emotional speech, expressed deep satisfaction with the manner with which the AFN has collaborated with the Ilobun Community and the family of late General Lagbaja.
Some of the major activities during the condolence visits, were, signing of the condolence register, presentation of condolence letters to the Governor, Royal Father as well as to members of Lagbaja family.
Other members of the AFN Condolence Team include the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General OG Onubogu, Major General BA Ilori, Director of Planing AHQ Department of Planning, Major General JO Adeyemo, Commandant NA School of Artillery, and Major General AP Oguntola, Commandant, NA Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies. Others were; Major General JB Olawumi (Rtd) former DG NYSC, and Major General AS Ibikunle (Rtd).