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The Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to immortalise the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, by establishing a befitting military institution or strategic infrastructure in his hometown, Ilobu, Osun State.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Press Secretary, Abdulbasit Adewale, the monarch stated that the request is part of activities marking the second anniversary of the former army chief’s passing.
Describing General Lagbaja as an illustrious son of the soil, the monarch noted that his distinguished military career merits a lasting national monument in his ancestral homeland.
Oba Olaniyan recalled that General Lagbaja’s death on November 5, 2024, was a profound loss, not only to his immediate family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, but also to the entire people of Ilobu-Asake, who continue to hold his memory in high esteem.
According to the traditional ruler, two years after his departure, the most meaningful way to honor such a distinguished patriot is to translate national appreciation into a permanent legacy that directly benefits the community and inspires future generations.
The monarch emphasized that General Lagbaja’s contributions should transcend annual remembrances and public tributes, calling instead for a permanent national recognition.
Specifically, Oba Olaniyan urged President Tinubu to approve an appropriate military establishment in Ilobu in honor of the late general.
He suggested that the legacy project could take the form of a Nigerian Army training institution, a vocational and skills acquisition center, a military medical facility, or any other strategic installation deemed suitable by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army.
The Olobu also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Army, the Osun State Government, and well-meaning indigenes of Ilobu to support initiatives aimed at preserving the late general’s legacy.
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Recalling his fond memories of the fallen general, Oba Olaniyan said: “Today, as we remember our illustrious son, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, two years after his departure, my heart is filled with both sorrow and pride.
“Sorrow, because Ilobu has lost a distinguished son whose physical presence we would have cherished for longer; and pride, because his life and professional accomplishments remain a source of honor to his family, our community, and our beloved nation, Nigeria.
“General Lagbaja was one of our own. He came from Ilobu, served Nigeria with distinction, and rose to become the Chief of Army Staff. His journey is a remarkable part of our community’s history, and we cannot allow such a legacy to fade with time.
“I therefore respectfully appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to immortalise this distinguished son of Ilobu by approving the establishment of a befitting military institution or strategic military infrastructure in Ilobu in his honor.
“Your Excellency, this appeal is not merely about attaching a name to a building. It is about preserving the memory of a Nigerian who dedicated his life to the service of his fatherland, ensuring that generations yet unborn will know that a son of Ilobu once rose to the highest professional echelon of the Nigerian Army.
“To the family of our departed general, we share in your pain and continue to pray that Almighty God grants you the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
“To the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government, we express our appreciation for his years of service and dedication to the defense of our country.
“And to my beloved people of Ilobu-Asake, let us continue to cherish his memory, preserve his history, and uphold the values of discipline, patriotism, courage, and excellence that his career represents.
“General Lagbaja, you are gone, but your memory will never depart from Ilobu. We owe it to ourselves and to unborn generations to ensure that your name remains permanently written in the history of our homeland,” the monarch said.
