I join Nigeria’s government and nation at large in mourning the demise of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, and I find it dutiful to reflect on his remarkable legacy. He has been described by all and sundry as a fearless gallant soldier, and I could agree more because it is evident that he devoted his life to securing our great nation, receiving and providing training in line with global best practices. It is no doubt that his courage and leadership spirit inspired a generation of soldiers, and demonstrates his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promoting our stability.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s exemplary service should remind us of the essence of collective ownership and treasuring our country. Heroes like him, and those under his command, risk their lives daily to protect our nation’s peace and prosperity. He wasn’t in the class of those who just give orders, he joined soldiers on the field to demonstrate leadership by example, which speaks to his exceptional courage and leadership style. We must recognise soldiers’ supreme sacrifice as noble and honour their memories. This selfless dedication embodies the values of the Nigerian Armed Forces, to guarantee and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
The loss of patriots like Lt General Lagbaja forces us to introspect on the root causes of insecurity. Have we addressed the radicalisation of various groups, hunger, unequal opportunities, and corruption? Have we prioritised education, healthcare, and infrastructure enough? We must answer these questions, because these overlooked issues fuel insecurity and motivate non-state actors to engage in destructive actions. While it is true that there are other motiveless persons who just want to terrorise Nigerians for ulterior motives, yet, I think we must re-evaluate our strategies to tackle these challenges, if we are truly concerned about inclusive growth and social cohesion.
The deepness of insecurity and its grip stifles our aspirations and right to pursue opportunities. An average Nigerian yearn to live decently, free from fear or intimidations. We can’t achieve this in a society without security. It’s impossible. Our collective efforts should focus on creating an environment that support all classes of Nigerians irrespective of culture or other variables of segregation, an environment that foster economic growth and promote social justice
We should, and as a fact, must, rethink our approaches to education, developmental programs and policies, healthcare, and infrastructure. To achieve inclusive growth, It is critical that we tailor our policies to specific regional needs, rather than generic solutions, which facts have shown doesn’t fits for all. As well, I think Oyo State’s geographical segmentation demands targeted developmental initiatives, too, – which addresses specific challenges of each local region, to harness local opportunities.
Without security and safety, sustainable developmental programs are elusive, – and it is almost impossible to even plan them with clear eye and mindset. We should strive to complement our gallant men’s efforts with crime-discouraging initiatives, to enable them focus on hardened and unrepentant saboteurs of nation’s prosperity. We can address these challenges together and more effectively, to ensure that the sacrifices of heroes like Lt General Lagbaja and those before him are not in vain.
Again, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Lt General Lagbaja’s family in Ilobu, Osun State, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and all Nigerians. May his legacy inspire those of us he left and the future generations, to emulate his kind of patriotic courage, mindset of service and dedication to our great nation in all sectors deserving of our input and service.
Have a great weekend ahead.
Amofin Beulah ADEOYE
Friday, Novermber 8, 2024
