President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country, to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The late army chief, appointed by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.
The President’s directive was conveyed through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, titled “Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
It read, “President Bola 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.
“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.”
Following the announcement, the President rescheduled the Federal Executive Council meeting to a later date.
Announcing the postponement of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, told State House correspondents that a new date would be announced for the next meeting.
Idris said, “Today‘s Federal Executive Council meeting has been postponed. This is to mark the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja. The nation is in mourning.
“The President and the entire government are in mourning. He was a very resourceful officer who did his best to fight insurgency in this country, and for his many achievements, he succeeded while serving this great nation.
“As a mark of respect, Mr President has directed that today‘s FEC meeting be postponed, and a new date will be announced in due course.”
In another statement, Onanuga said, “Initially scheduled for today, the council meeting was postponed in honour of Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday night.”
After announcing the postponement at the Council Chamber, Vice President Kashim Shettima led other council members to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the departed army Chief.
Shettima also announced that ministers would proceed to Tinubu’s official residence to pay him a condolence visit.
“This is a loss not only to the President or the immediate family but also to the nation. Let’s do so as a family as this is a proper thing to do. The Chief of Staff to the President [Femi Gbajabiamila] will congregate all of you to the residence,” he said.
Although Shettima later announced that two ministers representing each geopolitical zone would visit the President, The PUNCH gathered that all ministers were later asked to proceed with their daily engagements while the VP visited Tinubu.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in another statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the President expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.
Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56 years.
“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed army chief.
“He appreciates profoundly the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”
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.