Key Points
- Ilobu Day Celebration postponed in honor of Lt. General Lagbaja.
- National leaders, including Buhari, paid tribute to the late general.
- IDU suspends fundraising event due to the general’s passing.
Ilobu, a quiet town in Osun State situated in Irepodun local government area mourns the sudden death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The Chief of Army Staff’s demise came just days before the annual Ilobu Day Celebration, a celebration which has been canceled in honor of the late general’s memory.
Ilobu day festival postponed after COAS’s death
The festival which is supposed to hold on November 4 to 10 has been postponed until an undisclosed date, according to the Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU).
The announcement of the COAS’s demise has left a somber atmosphere in Ilobu, with residents and community leaders struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Pa Tajudeen Lagba, the head of the family and the relatives were seen mourning the loss of their son at the Lagbaja’s family compound.
Ilobu suspends fundraising after COAS’s death
Initially, the Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU) had planned a fundraising of N200 million which was to be spearheaded by the late COAS for local development. However, the event has been indefinitely suspended due to his passing.
During a press briefing at the Olobu’s palace, IDU President Olufemi Salako expressed the town’s collective sorrow, stating, “His death has left a vacuum in Ilobu.
We find solace in the legacy of his dedication, gallantry, and service to Nigeria.” The community is calling for the late general to be laid to rest in Ilobu, with family members hoping he will be buried alongside his father in the family’s ancestral home.
National leaders pay tribute
The news of the COAS demise has drawn tributes from across the country with national leaders paying tributes.
Nigeria’s Immediate Former President, Muhammadu Buhari praised Lagbaja as a “true patriot” and “brave officer” who led key operations like Operation Zaki and Lafiya Dole to curb various insurgencies in the country.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, along with the wives of the Vice President and National Security Adviser, also expressed their condolences, honoring Lagbaja’s exemplary service to Nigeria.
National Leaders Mourn Lt. General Lagbaja’s Passing
The Senate leader, Godswill Akpabio expressed his demise as a loss to the nation, likewise, the state governors joined in mourning the loss.
This underscores the late general’s invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s security and national unity. Kogi Governor Ahmed Ododo remarked that the general’s passing comes at a critical time for the nation’s fight against insecurity.
As Ilobu and the nation grieves, Lt. General Lagbaja’s legacy of courage, leadership, and patriotism endures as a symbol of dedication to Nigeria’s security.
