Tinubu Postpones FEC Meeting to Mourn Army Chief Lagbaja, Declares Seven-Day Mourning Period
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, initially scheduled for today (Wednesday), has been postponed by President Bola Tinubu in honor of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday night.
President Tinubu announced that the meeting would be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced in due course. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu ordered that flags be flown at half-mast nationwide for the next seven days to pay tribute to the late general.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu in June 2023. The presidency confirmed his passing on Wednesday morning.
In an official statement, Onanuga conveyed the President’s regret: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, announces with deep sorrow 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. Appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, Lt. General Lagbaja served with distinction.”
SaharaReporters had previously reported that Lt. General Lagbaja’s health had been a concern. According to sources, the Army General had been absent from military functions for several weeks due to a “strange” illness. Family members arranged for him to seek medical treatment abroad after he spent several days in a local hospital.
A source revealed, “The Chief of Army Staff has not been seen at Army headquarters or in any official capacity in the past three weeks. His family moved him out of the country to receive specialized treatment as his condition worsened.”
Lt. General Lagbaja’s untimely passing marks a significant loss for Nigeria’s military, as the country now prepares to honor his service and legacy.
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BREAKING: Tinubu Postpones FEC Meeting Over Nigerian Army Chief, Lagbaja’s Death, Orders Seven-Day Mourning published in Saharareporters