The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared a three-day mourning period in the state, beginning on Thursday, in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.
The death of Lagbaja, an indigene of Ilobu, Osun State, was announced in a post on X on Tuesday by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Adeleke also directed that flags be flown at half-mast in the state during the three-day mourning period.
This was contained in a press release signed and released by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday.
Alimi also disclosed that condolence registers had been opened at the Government House and the Governor’s Office for the public to convey condolence messages to the people of Osun.
Describing Lagbaja’s death as devastating, a colossal loss to humanity and the nation, Alimi also said the memory of the late COAS would linger for a long time in the minds of the people.
“The government is saddened by this irreparable loss of one of the Glories of Osun State, and we particularly condole with the Lagbaja family of Ilobu, the Olobu of Ilobu, and everyone.”
“The mourning period will start today, Thursday, November 7, 2024, and end on Saturday, November 9, while the Condolence Register will allow people to pen down their memories of him, for the immortality of the late COAS, who died at the age of 56.”
“Once again, we pray that God may repose the soul of the late Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and grant him Aljanna Firdaus. Ameen,” the statement read.