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Lieutenant-General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja: Life, Family, Education and Legacy

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Lieutenant-General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (28 February 1968 – 5 November 2024) was a distinguished Nigerian army officer whose career embodied strategic leadership and a deep commitment to national service. He served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from June 2023 until his death in November 2024, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and military reform.

Early Life and Education

Lagbaja was born in Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State and spent his formative years in nearby Osogbo. He began his primary education at the Local Authority Teachers’ College Demonstration School in Osogbo and later attended St Charles Grammar School, also in Osogbo.

Between 1984 and 1986 he studied for his A-Levels at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. In 1987 he gained admission to the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 39th Regular Course, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography. Demonstrating a lifelong interest in strategic thinking, he earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2014.

Military Career

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on 19 September 1992, Lagbaja built a career that spanned more than three decades. His service included:

Platoon and Battalion Commands: Early postings as platoon commander in several battalions.

Training and Instruction: Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (2001–2004) and Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

Senior Leadership Roles: Commander of brigades and divisions in multiple operational theatres.

Operations and Peacekeeping: Participation in internal security missions such as Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East and Operation Forest Sanity in the North-West, along with contributions to international peacekeeping.

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In June 2023 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Chief of Army Staff. In this role Lagbaja focused on strengthening the army’s operational capacity, improving troop welfare and deepening collaboration with other security agencies.

Personal Life

Lagbaja was married to Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja and they had two children. A practising Muslim, he was widely regarded as a devoted family man whose personal discipline mirrored his professional life.

Death and National Mourning

Lieutenant-General Lagbaja died in Lagos on 5 November 2024 at the age of 56 after a brief illness. His passing prompted tributes from across Nigeria. President Tinubu described his death as “a great loss to the nation,” while colleagues and citizens alike praised his courage, dedication and reform-minded leadership.

Legacy

Lagbaja’s influence endures in the soldiers he trained and mentored and in the reforms he initiated to enhance Nigeria’s security architecture. His career combined operational expertise with academic rigor, setting a standard for modern military leadership in Nigeria.

Sources

Blueprint.ng – “Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja 1968–2024”

Vanguard Nigeria – “Eight Things to Know About Late Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja”

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Declare Your Lineage – Royal Family Tells Musician KWAM 1 Over His Interest In Becoming Next Awujale Of Ijebuland

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KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has instructed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to confirm his family’s royal lineage to validate his membership in the ruling house.

KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

KWAM 1 also stated that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.

Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1, Olori Omooba of Ijebu land and others interested in the stool have been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.

According to him, the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.

He said, “The first step for anyone interested in contesting for the Awujale throne is to declare their lineage by filling the standard Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form. Once confirmed as a legitimate member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.

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“We have told him, just like everyone else interested in the Awujale throne, that the first step is to declare his lineage. He will do this by completing the royal lineage data form, showing his full name, which parent and grandparent he descends from, and continuing up to seven generations.

“The completed form will be signed and submitted to the head of the ruling house unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who will affirm that he is a genuine member. Only then will the process move forward.”

Owoyemi emphasised that although the application window for the throne officially closed on December 5, KWAM 1 had been given a five-day extension, which would lapse on December 10.

He noted, “We won’t shut anybody out of picking the next Awujale, but we must ensure that you are a legitimate member of Fusengbuwa. Every right comes with responsibilities. For a royal family, everyone must prove their legitimacy by completing the royal lineage data form.

“When we receive the form, we will review it meticulously. If clarification is needed, we will contact the applicant. We welcome men of influence who will use their influence to enhance the throne, not to claim it, ensuring that what truly belongs to our family is preserved.”

Owoyemi explained that the local government has given them 14 days to select candidates, and the ruling house hopes to have a new Awujale by the second or third week of January 2026.

He added, “The local government has given us 14 days to select candidates, which expires on December 18. After that, the kingmakers have seven days to deliberate and choose one candidate, whose name will be forwarded to the governor.

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“Legally, the government then has 21 days to conduct background checks and security clearance, allowing for objections or protests. After this period, the State Executive Council will ratify the nominee, and the governor will announce the next Awujale, after which coronation rites will commence.

“So, combining the candidate selection, kingmakers’ deliberation, and legal objection period, we are looking at around 42 days. Therefore, we expect the next Awujale to emerge between the second and third week of January.”

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VIDEO: I’m Married But Not In My Husband’s House; I Didn’t Have The Experience Of Living Happily Ever After – Singer Shola Allyson Reveals

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While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sola Allyson, the popular Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The musician made this known in her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV.

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sharing her marital experience, the singer said she has never enjoyed the kind of happiness many people describe.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately. He in his house and I in mine.”

The interviewer asked: “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?

She replied, “We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie.

“That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work.

“Marriage has been a big challenge. I hear people talk about joy in marriage, but I have never experienced it.”

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VIDEO: Shola Allyson Finally Opens Up, Reveals Why She Does Not Reference Jesus In Her Songs

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Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Shola Allyson, the renowned Nigerian songstress, has opened up on the real reason she avoids mentioning the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

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