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President Tinubu Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Lagbaja’s Passing at 56
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away in Lagos on Tuesday night at the age of 56 following a period of illness.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was a respected figure in Nigeria’s military. His journey in the armed forces began in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps, marking the start of a distinguished career that would see him rise through the ranks due to his dedication, professionalism, and strategic skill.
His impressive track record of service led President Tinubu to appoint him as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.
Throughout his career, Lt. General Lagbaja exemplified the values of leadership, discipline, and service to his nation.
He served in key operational roles, notably as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion, where he gained valuable experience and honed his leadership abilities.
He also played essential roles in several high-stakes internal security missions that were critical to maintaining peace and order in troubled regions.
In Benue State, he contributed to Operation ZAKI, aimed at addressing local conflicts. In Borno, he was part of Operation Lafiya Dole, a mission designed to combat the insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
His leadership in Operation Udoka in Southeast Nigeria and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States further underscored his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s security and unity.
In addition to his field experience, Lt. General Lagbaja was committed to continuous learning and professional development.
He was an alumnus of the highly regarded U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his pursuit of military excellence and leadership.
His education there provided him with advanced insights and strategies that he brought back to benefit the Nigerian Army.
Lt. General Lagbaja leaves behind his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
His passing is a significant loss not only to his family but to the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he was admired and respected by his colleagues and those he commanded.
President Tinubu, offering his heartfelt condolences, praised Lt. General Lagbaja for his decades of dedicated service and for the sacrifices he made for Nigeria.
He extended his sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lt. General Lagbaja, urging the nation to honor the legacy of a leader who devoted his life to his country’s peace and security.
President Tinubu prays for the departed soul to find eternal peace, recognizing the lasting contributions Lt. General Lagbaja made to Nigeria’s stability and progress.
News
Diezani Alison-Madueke Seeks Court Approval to Amend Lawsuit Against EFCC Asset Forfeiture
Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has filed a motion to amend her lawsuit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) order for the final forfeiture of her seized assets.
At a Federal High Court hearing in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, Alison-Madueke’s counsel confirmed filing the amendment motion and serving the EFCC. Notably, no EFCC representatives appeared in court.
The embattled ex-minister also sought an extension of time to contest the EFCC’s public notice regarding the sale of her confiscated properties, claiming she was denied a fair hearing during the forfeiture proceedings.
The EFCC, however, rejected Alison-Madueke’s allegations, maintaining that the forfeiture cases were lawfully adjudicated over time.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, to consider the motion to amend the originating process.
News
Tron Founder Justin Sun Buys $6.2M Banana Artwork, Plans to Eat It
Justin Sun, the founder of blockchain platform Tron, has purchased Comedian, a conceptual artwork by Maurizio Cattelan featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.
Initially valued at $1–$1.5 million, the sale exceeded expectations, drawing bids from seven contenders. Originally priced at $120,000 during its 2019 debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, Comedian has sparked global debates about the absurdities of contemporary art.
Sun views the purchase as a cultural statement rather than a simple acquisition. “This bridges art, memes, and cryptocurrency,” he said, revealing plans to eat the banana as part of the artwork’s experiential essence.
Known for challenging societal norms, Cattelan’s works often provoke controversy. Buyers of Comedian receive instructions to replace the banana due to its perishability.
Sun’s acquisition highlights his growing involvement in art and tech intersections, following his $78.4 million purchase of Alberto Giacometti’s Le Nez. While celebrated as an entrepreneur, Sun has also faced legal challenges, including allegations of cryptocurrency manipulation.
The $6.2 million banana reinforces the unpredictable relationship between art, commerce, and culture, embodying modern art’s power to provoke and perplex.
News
Peter Obi Donates ₦20 Million to Mary Agro Farms for Food Security
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, recently took to his social media handle to share his visit to Mary Agro Farms, located in Omughu, Obeleagu-Umana, in the Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
After attending the Peaceland University conference in Enugu, Obi traveled to the farm to witness firsthand the progress of one of the nation’s promising agricultural initiatives.
In his post, Obi reflected on his previous visit to the farm’s pilot scheme in Udi over two years ago, during which he offered his support.
Yesterday’s visit to the farm’s permanent site, however, left him astounded by the remarkable transformation that had taken place.
The expansion of Mary Agro Farms is a testament to the hard work and resilience of its management and staff.
Obi praised the farm for its significant progress, noting that the scale of operations had grown considerably, demonstrating the immense potential of innovative farming practices to boost food security in Nigeria.
As part of his commitment to supporting productive ventures, Obi made a generous donation of ₦20 million to Mary Agro Farms.
He expressed his hope that the farm would continue to stay innovative and productive, especially during a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe hunger, food scarcity, and inflation.
The visit came at a time when global organizations have raised alarm over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria.
The United Nations recently issued a stark warning, indicating that at least 33 million Nigerians could face a major hunger crisis by 2025 unless urgent measures are taken.
In addition, a report by Save the Children International highlighted that 5.4 million Nigerian children are at risk of acute malnutrition within the same period.
These statistics paint a grim picture of the food security situation in the country and emphasize the need for immediate intervention.
Obi urges action by calling governments at all levels to prioritize and invest in food production to address the crisis.
He stressed that the ongoing food scarcity and inflation must be met with concrete efforts to boost local food production and secure the nation’s future.
Mary Agro Farms, which has already demonstrated its potential with a strong commitment to agricultural productivity, has played a significant role in tackling food security challenges in the region.
The farm’s success story is a model for how innovative farming techniques can transform the agricultural sector and contribute to the fight against hunger in the country.
By expanding its operations and scaling up production, Mary Agro Farms aims to play a part in alleviating the pressure on Nigeria’s food supply, which is critical in a nation struggling with high food prices and limited access to basic nutrition for many of its citizens.
Obi commended the management and staff of Mary Agro Farms for their dedication and urged them to continue their efforts, emphasizing that the country’s path to a more secure and well-fed future lies in the hands of innovators and hardworking individuals like them.
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