National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Olumide Olusegun
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a seven-day period of national mourning following the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
In line with this, the president has ordered that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, who was appointed by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged battle with illness. He was 56 years old.
In a statement obtained by NATIONAL TELESCOPE on Wednesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, expressed the president’s deep sorrow over the death of the late Army Chief.
“President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound regret over the passing of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness. He was 56,” Akume said.
The statement continued: “The president has directed that national flags be flown at half-mast for seven days throughout Nigeria as a mark of respect for the late Army chief. He also commends the late general’s service to the nation and extends his condolences to the family, wishing them the strength to endure this painful loss.”
In addition, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and his counterpart, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, have expressed their condolences to the president, the Nigerian Army, and the family of the deceased.
In a joint statement, the ministers described the passing of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja as a monumental loss not only to the military but to the entire nation.
The late General Lagbaja’s contributions to national security and his leadership in the Nigerian Army will be remembered as Nigeria continues to mourn his passing.
