Hon Bimbo Kolade Pays Tribute to Late Chief of Army Staff, Gen Taoreed Lagbaja

Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (TAL).

Kokoro ko je ka gbadun obi to gbo

When Segun’s call woke me up around 3am, last tuesday and said I have been calling you since 12am, ore wa ti dake o, and he broke the news of the death of Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, I was dazed and I said not again. Indeed it is one death, too many for me in 2024. From my mother in March, Anwo, Omodewu now again TAL. But we thank God because we are not like them who mourned with hope.

TAL’s journey of life has been a story of the Grace of God, all through our time in secondary school, he was the most quiet guy in our set, and when we all left in 1984, he was’t someone that anyone will think will pursue a career in the military. But to the glory of God, he got to the peak in his chosen career.

He was always there for his friends. I remembered when he came for my swearing- in as a Commissioner in Oyo state in 2011 and escorted me with his military boys with siren blaring to my home town in Fiditi after the swearing in. He was one of the first set of people who reached out to me to commiserate with me in March when my mother died despite his busy schedule as the Army Chief. He had planned to be at the burial in July.

Friend you did your best for your country as a committed and dedicated soldier. Always leading from the front, not just giving command.

Our prayers will always be with your dear wife and children.

Sleep on in the bossom of the Lord.