Former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, th3 the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas and ex-Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, are among prominent Nigerians who have paid tribute to late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who died Wednesday aged 56.
Atiku in his condolence message said: “The passing of any soul diminishes us all, for in the departure of one, a part of humanity fades away. It is with a heavy heart and sorrowful spirit that I received the news of the tolling of the bell for the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who was called from this world in the very prime of his life.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his grieving family and to the Nigerian Army, to which he dedicated his service with unwavering honour and distinction. May his soul find eternal peace and rest.”
Obi in a heartfelt message posted on social media, conveyed his sympathy to the Lagbaja family, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Government, calling the loss a significant blow to the country.
Obi prayed for God’s mercy on Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s soul and strength for his family and the military, stating that the tragedy leaves an irreplaceable vacuum in the family and the nation.
“I have just read the official announcement of the unfortunate death of Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
“On behalf of my family and the Obidient family, I sincerely condole with the entire Lagbaja family, the government of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Army over this painful loss, which has indeed created a big vacuum in his family and our dear nation.
“May God Almighty, who called him home at this time, forgive his sins, grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, Nigeria’s military, the Nigerian government, and all of us the fortitude to bear his sad and irreplaceable loss. May God protect and bless his family always.”
Also, the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, described the death of Lagbaja, as a terrible development and a sad one. He said the death is a personal one to him given his unique relationship with the late army chief.
Gov. Kefas said the death is unfortunate, especially now that the military expertise of General Lagbaja is needed. He described the late army chief as a dedicated worker who gave himself to the duty at hand,.adding that though General Lagbaja died in active service, “he was a very principled man, a model of discipline, honesty and transparency.”
The governor noted that the late Lagbaja was an encyclopedia of military knowledge, who in a very short time was able to strengthen professionalism in the operations of the military.
Similarly, the former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has condoled the family, relations, and colleagues of the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Prince Oyinlola, who is also a retired army general, described Lagbaja’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and the military in general.
He therefore, commiserated with the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, other service chiefs, senior officers of the armed forces and, indeed, all other officers and men of the Nigerian military.
While sending his condolences to the immediate family of Gen. Lagbaja and the Osun State Governor, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, the former governor said the loss of the senior officer has made Nigeria, Osun State and the late general’s hometown, Ilobu, poorer.
