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Morning after 25th February 2023 Presidential Election: A Qualitative Trend Analysis by Iyorwuese Hagher

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It is morning on 26th February 2023 in Nigeria. The previous day, the nation stood still, as voters queued at their polling stations to exercise their civic duties to elect Nigerian’s next President. With the new BVAS, the voting, collating and transmission of votes were concluded speedily. The political parties were in their situation rooms, watching throughout the night with deep skepticism the INEC portal and news rooms. In Abuja as in all the thirty six states, Nigerians stayed awake, glued to their Televisions sets, and hand-held devices. Politicians hardly make good historians. They had learnt nothing and forgotten nothing!
The citizens await the results in fear. They are rightly afraid that electing a wrong party, and wrong candidate would push Nigeria over the cliff to total collapse as a failed state where there is no government, and war-lords divide the country, and inflict on the hapless citizens the reign of unmitigated terror.

But outside the homes, on the streets, in the inner cites, and the suburbs, the social media had finished tallying the votes and a winner had emerged. The _Obidients_ began to celebrate the victory of Mr. Peter Obi whom the social media gave the winning votes 55,850,000 or 60% of total votes cast, winning in 20 states while Atiku Abubakar came second 23,250,000 or 25% of votes cast and winning in 10 states. The social media relegated Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the third position, winning in six states with 13,950,000 and 15% of total votes cast. In their results, all 93 million registered voters had cast their votes! The _Obidients_ denounced any announcement by INEC which was contrary to their released results. They threatened mayhem and bedlam if another “rigged” result was announced. The celebration by the _Obidients_ was short-lived, for soon enough, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, addressed the Nation at 7am.

In his address, he discloses that only about 40% of registered voters had cast their votes the previous day. This is higher than in 2019 when only 31% of registered voters voted. The INEC Chairman has declared the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, as the winner of the Presidential Election 2023 with a total of 18,721,167 popular votes, which was 52.3% of total votes and won in 19 states and the FCT. Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, came second with 15,692,950 popular votes being 30% of total votes cast and won in ten states. Peter Obi of the Labour Party has scored 9,367,481 popular votes, and scored 18% of total votes cast and won in six states. This is the final verdict having the imprimatur of the INEC Chairman.

In Jagaban’s Campaign Headquarters, there is deep silence and mourning. The people are whispering and urging his doctor and his wife to wake him up to address his supporters on the next line of action. He had been sedated earlier, to calm him and curb his propensity to tantrums and bellicosity. After more than 15 minutes argument with his wife and doctor, the Jagaban agrees to address the press. Many of his supporters are gathered in his situation room at Maitama Abuja, where he has spent the last 24 hours, sleepless, monitoring the Presidential Election and its results. The supporters were caps bearing his insignia of snake devouring its tail, a cultic symbol of infinity. The defeat highlights the irony of the infinity, as cyclical failure. The Jagaban is assisted to the podium and as he faces the barrage of microphones and cameras from different news outlets; the nation holds its breath. He had declared at the beginning of his ambition that the nation owed him his life ambition to be President. He had announced that it was his turn now, “Emi lokan”, no matter whose ox was gored. Nigerians now wait in trepidation and hope that he would do the right thing telling his supporters that Nigerians have spoken.

But the Jagaban does no such thing. He looks left and right, then stares ominously into the cameras and microphones. He coughs in his clenches fist and says: “Tell Buhari he has done his worst. I don’t forgive traitors. Tell the hackers from Russia they are refuse dumps. It is my turn. ‘Emi lokan, Emi lokan’. It is my money”.

He glowers at his aides and yells, “Tell all my supporters this revolution has just started”. He defiantly walks past his wife, and his running-mate, and intentionally pushes away his Campaign Director General. He slowly, ambles away like an enormous crocodile that has been denied its meal. With his head held high and his eyes blazing like hot embers, the Jagaban mutters, in murderous rage, to himself: “It’s a Revolution”. It is at this point that his security guards escort him to his campaign war-room.

At Atiku Abubakar’s Campaign Headquarters, (AACO) scores of thousands of supporters have taken over the building and the adjoining streets in Wuse II, Abuja. Different bands are blaring Atikulated and Okowalated songs. Atiku Abubakar’s face is passive, enigmatic, and bland. His age-old emotional shock-absorbers have kicked in to prevent the exultant emotions from overflowing, even at triumphant moment of sweet victory. He becomes excited when Peter Obi calls to concede defeat and offer his congratulations. He welcomes him as a long-lost brother, saying: “My brother this victory is also your victory. It is Nigeria’s victory my brother, it is time to rebuild the nation”.

Senator Bukola Saraki, and Governor Aminu Tambuwal follow, as the PDP National Chairman, Sen. (Dr.) Iyorchia Ayu, leads the president-elect to the 5th floor, of the Command and Control Centre, which had been set up in anticipation of this victory acceptance speech.
The World Media awaits with intensity, to hear this acceptance speech of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. It is the moment the world has waited for. The return of the PDP in a free election in Nigeria, is proof of the stability and elasticity of Nigeria’s democracy when the ruling party is defeated again. The world sees a rejuvenated Atiku, confident and smiling now. He says, in a presidential voice, he owes his victory to God Almighty, and thanks all the Nigerian voters who had turned up in an unprecedented manner to exercise their civic rights. He especially thanks those who voted for the other candidates. He promises them that he would also be their president. It is time now to heal the wounds of division and to build the bridges of Nigeria’s diversity. He thanks his fellow contestants and tells the world that the problems of the country are such that no individual, nor party has all the solutions. He is going to run a government of National Unity, where there will be political inclusiveness. “Winner takes all has been Un-African and undemocratic,” he assures. He acknowledges the telephone call from Peter Obi, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the other presidential candidates. He thanks his Campaign Council and promises the nation that his victory is the new beginning Nigerians have been waiting for and that he would not fail them. He also thanks President Buhari whom he called “the father of Electoral Integrity in Nigeria” and calls on history to be kind to him for his legacy in electoral reforms.

Outside on the streets in Lagos, Osun, and Imo states, INEC offices are up in flames as thousands of demonstrators set up barricades and armed bandits take over; looting, maiming and instilling fear in the citizenry, with sinister cries of “Revolution”. Nigerians are afraid. Politicians disguise themselves and frantically begin to explore exit routes to just anywhere else! Nigerians stay in their homes, throughout 26th February. There is fear everywhere.

It is now the turn of President Buhari to address the nation. He makes a passionate plea to the candidates to call their supporters to order. He says, “elections are not wars” and that “no person’s ambition is worth anybody’s life”. He consequently orders the military to clear the streets, and end the destruction of life and property. He calls on the governors to impose curfews in those states where violence has broken out. The President pleads with Nigerians, especially those that did not win, to accept the rules of the game, and the verdict of INEC. The military pulls out its tanks into the streets as evening wears out. Sirens and gunfire are heard as the “day after” comes to an end. END OF SCENARIO.

The above scenario, painted on the backdrop of qualitative futuristic canvas, is perhaps the best prediction of the coming Presidential Election. It is the most consequential election that Nigerians will hold, to pull their country from eight years of APC misrule when all NIgeria’s fault lines, became wide cracks, and threatened to suck us into our worst national fear. All Nigerians are afraid that their country might become a critically failed state, a giant Afghanistan in the centre of Africa. If the Jagaban wins instead of Atiku, Nigeria’s religious divide will become an open chasm. Just like the Kaduna Muslim-Muslim experiment has been an open wound of terrorism and religious extremism, a Jagaban President will, people fear, become the gloating of Islam over Christianity, and the Nigerian exceptionalism in managing the delicate balance between Christianity and Islam would be lost forever. A full scale religious war would be expected such as John Campbell had earlier predicted in 2011. If the Jagaban wins, the lopsided electoral votes of the South-West and North-West, would now become a permanent relay of power as one North-Western Zone President would deftly hand over to the South-Western Zone President. All other four zones would be excluded in the bare-faced disregard of the zones created specifically for power sharing. A Jagaban victory would be a dreadful and grotesque power grab of money politics that is blind to disability, incapacity and shameful character flaws. The Jagaban phenomenon represents the emergence of a demagogue, whose politics is a horrific politician’s politics, where power is privatized and appropriated to serve private interests. Electing the Jagaban, is to elect the Nigerian version of a doting Paul Biya, where arbitrary power is exercised by a corrupt coterie, and democracy is lost forever! Atiku Abubakar’s victory on the other hand should be regarded as victory for Nigeria and the reality of zoning. There is justice and equity in the North-East zone producing the next president. The South-East should be expectant next. It is unhelpful when sabre-rattling governors talk about the North-South dichotomy and cry about equity and justice. They are merely being self-serving within their convoluted colonial mentality. Equity is no longer a matter of North and South. It is zonal, where power is zoned rotated among the six geographical and political zones. With all the mud, dung, and grime that had been flung at Atiku Abubakar during the campaign period by opponents, it is my hope that Nigerians will now see the real Atiku, as an underprivileged peasant boy, whose grass to grace story, inspires the next great Nigerian generation. Atiku as Vice-President and consummate politician has capacity, ability and vision deserving of victory. With Atiku as President we can advance democratic multi-culturalism to confront sectarian fundamentalism, because he is cosmopolitan and not a hero of locality nor ethnic bigot. The PDP through Atiku has learnt its lesson. It is not seeking to conquer power as the APC, but rather to transform it to give the citizens rights that the APC government eroded and left Nigerians, poorer, uneducated, unprotected, afraid, and deeply insecure.Atiku is well aware that politics is for the strong, who must endure stupid criticism, and judgment from very annoying characters like the corruption embattered former Minister of Aviation, and some disgruntled governors within his party. He is under-girded with a solid stoic personality, whose mien is unperturbed by stupid things, silly things, aggressive things of people’s perceptions of him. This is the time! This is his time! Finally, Atiku must engage in serious nation building, manage change, and the constantly changing Nigerian environment. He must intentionally seek better ways of making Nigeria great by advancing growth, equity, inclusiveness, peace, compassion and integrity.

Prof Iyorwuese Hagher

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Quality Service Delivery: Bowen’s VC Commends Globacom’s Strides

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Globacom has received commendation from the Vice Chancellor of BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State, Professor Jonathan Oyebamiji Babalola, for consistently delivering digital services to the university over the years.

This acclamation was made by Professor Babalola during a business meeting in his office at the University of Iwo in Osun State, when he hosted a team from Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group.

The VC conveyed how much he enjoyed working with Globacom and encouraged the company to keep up its uninterrupted services to the academic community.

In order to help the university fulfill its mission of creating better products and advance the frontiers of academic development, he also asked Globacom to support BOWEN University through a number of CSR initiatives.

Speaking at the meeting, Adeniyi Odejobi, the Enterprise Business Lead, Globacom, said that the company has been a major telecommunications service provider in Nigeria, providing telephony and digital solution services for millions of people across the country as well as enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, public sector organizations, and universities. It is also a digital solutions company.

According to Adeniyi, Glo has been at the forefront of revolutionary changes in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector for more than 20 years and is largely to be commended for democratizing the use of telephones and telephony services across the country over the years. “Because of Globacom, every Nigerian today can afford a telephone line”, he noted.

According to Adeniyi, Globacom also evolved a good number of innovations that have aided revolutionary developments in the Nigerian telecom sector, such as Globacom’s fully owned international submarine cable, Glo 1.

In order to advance the university, Adeniyi urged it to deepen its collaboration with Glo in order to offer digital services such as Glo LMS, Toll-Free Data, and Mobility services.

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Henrietta Ugboh Becomes Independent Non- Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from UBA Board

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”

Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”

The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.

During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.

On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.

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Dusk at Dawn: The Life and Times of Nigeria’s COAS, Taoreed Lagbaja

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By Eric Elezuo

Nigerians were thrown into mourning in the early hours of Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when the news of the death of the country’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was formally announced.

It has earlier been rumored that the COAS had died many days before the official announcement from many quarters including a popular online news platform, but both the Army and the presidency had been consistent in their denials of the late Army chief’s death prior to Tuesday.

Lagbaja goes down in history as the third Chief of Army Staff to die in office.

In the presidential statement, it was revealed that Lagbaja battled and died of undisclosed illness.

In a message announcing his death, and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, it was noted as follows:

“Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”

Described as a warrior soldier, Lagbaja followed through his military career with equanimity, excelling on all fronts he was posted to. His supervision of the Nigerian Army since June 19, 2023, when he assumed leadership has received commendations.

Earlier, when Lagbaja disappeared from public view, an online news media, reported exclusively that the army chief was dead, but the army, on October 20, 2024, dismissed the story as unfounded rumours that Lagbaja had passed on, adding that the army chief was undergoing medical treatment abroad.

But on October 30, President Tinubu appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS, and on November 5, decorated Oluyede with a new rank of lieutenant-general. Less than 24 hours, news filtered in that the army chief was dead. Unconfirmed report says he had been clinically dead, and was on life support, having suffered untreatable ailment, until an agreement was reached to remove the life support. Neither the army nor the president has however, corroborated the report.

With condolence registers opened in all army formations and the Defence Headquarters, many Nigerians have been registering their condolences to the President, the army, his immediate family and the country at large.

Some of the condolences messages include:

NEWS RELEASE

OSUN GOVERNMENT DECLARES THREE DAYS MOURNING FOR LATE COAS LAGBAJA

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared three days mourning for the late Chief of Army Staff of the federation, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The State government also directed that half mast flags should be flown in the state during the same period.

This was stated in the release by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, who disclosed that Condolence Registers has also been opened at the government house and Governor’s office for the condolence messages of the people of Osun.

According to the information Commissioner, the death of the late COAS is devastating, a collosal loss to humanity and the nation, and we can’t forget him.

The government is sad at this irreparable loss of one of the Glory of Osun state, and we particularly condole with the Lagbaja family of Ilobu, the Olobu of Ilobu and everyone.

The mourning period is to start today Thursday November 7, 2024 and end on Saturday 9th, while the Condolence Register is for people to pen down their memories of him, for the immortality of the late COAS, who died at age 56.

Once again, we pray God repose the soul of late Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and grant him Aljanna Fidaus

GOVERNOR ADELEKE LAMENTS, MOURNS EXIT OF GENERAL LAGBAJA 

Governor Ademola Adelele has described as a sad loss the untimely exit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoheed Lagbaja, calling his transition “a huge misfortune”

“A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu. We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.

“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 realize 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 .”, Governor Adeleke noted in a statement he personally signed.

Signed:
HE, SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE,
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN OSUN STATE

NORTHERN GOVERNORA MOURN LATE COAS LAGBAJA 

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the demise of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who died on November 5, 2024, from a protracted illness.

The Chairman of the forum, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, of Gombe State, described the late COAS as a distinguished officer, who served the nation with remarkable courage and dedication.

“General Lagbaja’s life and career were defined by a commitment to the Nigerian Armed Forces and an exceptional dedication to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty amid the ongoing challenges posed by insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities”, Governor Yahaya remarked.

The NSGF Chairman also noted that the late Lagbaja embodied the values of discipline, bravery, and integrity that characterize the finest traditions of military service, adding that his leadership played a significant role in strengthening the nation’s defence framework and upholding peace and stability.

Governor Yahaya, on behalf of the Northern States Governors Forum, sent his deepest sympathies to the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who have lost a remarkable leader, colleague, and patriot.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the wife of the late army chief  Mariya Lagbaja, an illustrious daughter of Gombe State from Tula in Kaltungo LGA, and the entire family members as well as the government and people of Osun State where the deceased hailed from,  urging them to find solace in his legacy of valour and service.

The Governor prayed to Almighty God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and provide comfort to all who mourn this immense loss.

GOV OTU MOURNS LAGBAJA’S PASSING, DESCRIBES HIM AS COURAGEOUS SOLDIER 

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who, until his passing, was Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army.

Describing the death of Lagbaja as a great loss to the Nigerian Army, the military, and the entire nation, Governor Otu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nsa Gill, said: “The late Chief of Army Staff’s untimely departure is a devastating blow and a monumental loss not only to the military but to our nation as a whole.”

Lamenting the painful death of Lt. General Lagbaja while acknowledging his bravery, Governor Otu noted that “he was known for his unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership, and dedicated service to Nigeria. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and enhancing the security of our citizens.”

The governor praised the fallen Chief of Army Staff and his strategic vision, saying: “His relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of challenges was inspiring to all who served under him.”

As the nation mourns the loss of Lagbaja, Governor Otu urged Nigerians to celebrate the late Chief of Army Staff’s legacy of courage, bravery, and dedication, adding that “Lt. General Lagbaja’s service to Nigeria will forever be remembered, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of military personnel.”

On behalf of the government and the good people of Cross River State, Governor Otu extended his deepest sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Army, adding: “May his soul rest in peace, and may we find solace in the memories of his service to our nation.”

OYEBANJI MOURNS DEATH OF COAS LAGBAJA 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed his condolences on the death of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

General Lagbaja who hailed from Osun State, died after a period of illness. He was aged 56 years old.

The Governor in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the death of Gen. Lagbaja as a monumental loss to the nation.

He described the deceased as a dedicated soldier, a committed officer and a tested general who fought many battles to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

Governor Oyebanji pointed out that the deceased committed his youthful and adult life to the service of the nation as a commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army and served meritoriously in many formations across the country.

According to him, history would always be kind to Gen. Lagbaja in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast as the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in which he deployed his skills and experience to ensure the routing of terrorists.

He said Gen. Lagbaja’s exploits was recognized in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) as a leading commander of the troops from the countries in the Lake Chad Basin in their quest to defeat insurgency.

Governor Oyebanji stressed that the deceased’s industry and resourcefulness were instrumental to his appointment as the Chief of the Army Staff, noting that although his tenure was brief, it was remarkable especially in the deployment of technology in soldiering.

Recalling his encounters with the late COAS, the Governor said the late Chief of Army Staff’s swift response to the security challenge in Ekiti State after the gruesome murder of two traditional rulers and the kidnapping of school children is responsible for the current peaceful atmosphere in the state.

Governor Oyebanji commiserated with the family of the deceased urging them to take solace in the worthy legacies left behind by the three-star general.

The Governor also extended his condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Service Chiefs, the Army High Command, the government and people of Osun State and the entire nation on the loss of a great patriot.

MINISTERS OF DEFENCE, BADARU AND MATAWELLE, MOURN LAGBAJA 

Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawelle, commiserated with the President, military and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the army and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence as our working relationship with him is commendable. He exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed in no small measure to the internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military and the nation as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

CDS MUSA MOURNS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, LAGBAJA 

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, described Lt Gen Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to the country, military and his family.

Musa said Lagbaja was courageous, hardworking, reliable, loyal and a dedicated service chief.

The CDS in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, added that Lagbaja was committed to the security and well-being of the nation.

He said, “The CDS on behalf of the AFN, expresses profound sorrow over the passing of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, yesterday, Tuesday, after a brief illness.

“General Musa conveys his deepest condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, family of the late General Lagbaja and all Nigerians over this sad loss.

“He is described as a courageous, hard-working, reliable, loyal, and dedicated service chief whose tireless efforts and unflinching commitment to the security and well-being of the nation were unparalleled.

“Therefore, his passing is a tremendous loss, not only to his family, the Army and the AFN but also to the entire nation and humanity.”

ACTING COAS OLUYEDE MOURNS EXIT OF GENERAL LAGBAJA

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, expressed deep sadness over his predecessor’s demise.

who was scheduled to see the President, spoke to journalists at the forecourt of the Aso Rock Villa, urging Nigerians to celebrate Lagbaja’s life of service.

He said, “I want to urge citizens, for someone that has given his all for Nigeria, we need to celebrate him. So, I want Nigerians to celebrate him for his good work.

“The country as a whole, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, did the very best for him to be alive with us today. But we all belong to God, and He takes when He feels it necessary for him to do so.

“So it’s on a very sober note that I am talking this moment because the entire Nigeria Army is in a sorrowful mood because we have lost our leader, Lt Gen Lagbaja. He was someone who gave his all to Nigeria.”

Oluyede described Lagbaja as a dedicated and selfless leader who was deeply committed to Nigeria and served as an exemplary figure within the Nigerian Army.

He said he was known for his courage, professionalism and attention to detail, which set a standard for others to follow.

He added that Lagbaja’s passing was a significant loss, and those who knew him prayed for his peaceful rest in the afterlife.

At 56, many believe that Lagbaja died even as his career dawn started budding, having served only 16 months into his appointment. His last public appearance, according to reports, was at the 60th birthday party of billionaire businessman, Chief Kola Adesina.

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