News
SEE list of COAS who died in active service
Nigeria mourns the loss of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness.
His untimely death, coming just a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, has sent waves of shock across the nation.
This sorrowful incident is the third time a Chief of Army Staff has died while in office, marking yet another painful chapter in Nigeria’s history of military leadership losses.
Below are the former Chiefs of Army Staff who met a similar fate while serving in office:
Joseph Akahan (August 1967)
Joseph Akahan, appointed as Army Chief at the age of 30, assumed the role shortly before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. Following a visit to the frontlines in Nsukka, he returned briefly to his hometown in Gboko to rest.
Tragically, on his way back to Makurdi, the helicopter he was traveling in crashed, resulting in his death along with those of the two pilots on board.
Attahiru Ibrahim (May 21, 2021)
Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, appointed as Chief of Army Staff in January 2021 to succeed Tukur Buratai, tragically passed away just months into his tenure. His appointment, along with those of other service chiefs—Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff, Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff, and Isiaka Amao as Chief of Air Staff—came amid mounting pressure for new military leadership due to rising security challenges.
While on an official assignment from Abuja to Kaduna, Attahiru’s aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, resulting in a crash that claimed his life along with those of 10 members of his entourage.
Taoreed Lagbaja (November 5, 2024)
Lagbaja, a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1992. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, he served as a platoon commander with the 93 Battalion and later with the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He was instrumental in several internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced that the Army chief passed away in Lagos following a brief illness. His position has now been filled by Olufemi Oluyede, his classmate from the Nigerian Defence Academy, who was appointed acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday amid Lagbaja’s prolonged indisposition.
News
NASC appoints Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to National Assembly
Authorities of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).
According to the letter dated 6th November, 2024 and signed by NASC Executive Chairman, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi, his appointment takes effect from 2nd February, 2025.
While noting that Barrister Ogunlana’s appointment was in recognition of his hard work and administrative competence, the NASC Executive Chairman tasked him to continue to uphold the confidence reposed in him.
The appointment of Barrister Ogunlana followed the pre-retirement notice sent by the Commission to the incumbent CNA, Sani Magaji Tambuwal, notifying him of his retirement from the service of the National Assembly effective 2nd February, 2025.
The Commission also notified the outgoing CNA of the appointment of Barrister Ogunlana as his successor at its 610th meeting held on Wednesday, 6th November, 2024.
According to the Commission’s letter, Barrister Ogunlana would oversee the office of the CNA “while working closely with you to ensure smooth transition until he takes over from you as the substantive Clerk to the National Assembly on February 2, 2025.
Kamoru Ogunlana, an indigene of Omu-Ijebu in the Odogbolu LGA of Ogun State, was born on June 22, 1967, in Tiko town, South-West, Cameroon.
He holds a degree in Law from Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, attended the Nigerian Law School in 1989/1990, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA).
Barrister Ogunlana began his career with the National Assembly Service on October 4, 1993, as a Litigation Officer II in the Legal Services Department.
After the inauguration of the 1st National Assembly of the 4th Republic on 8th June 1999, Barrister Ogunlana was converted to a Legislative Officer and re-deployed in the House of Representatives as a Committee Clerk by the management of the National Assembly.
He serves as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, a position he attained on the 29th March, 2023.
Before his appointment as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Ogunlana served in various capacities in the National Assembly Service: Director, Legislative Scrutiny and Research Department, House of Representatives (February 2017 – August 2020); Director, Committee Services Department, House of Representatives (August 2020 – April 2022); Secretary, Legal Services Directorate (April 2022 – March 2023).
In addition, he was for several years the Clerk to the House of Representatives Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Justice, Federal Judiciary, and the National Assembly Joint Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution.
Barrister Ogunlana had undergone extensive trainings as a Legal Officer and a Legislative Officer both internationally and locally, establishing himself as a seasoned draftsman and Legislative Officer.
He participated in the conception and drafting of several major bills passed by the National Assembly from 1999 to date.
Barrister Ogunlana is a God-fearing, family-oriented person who enjoys football, watching combat sports, travelling, and reading.
News
‘TikTok yanked me off because of my dangerous miracles ‘ – Odumeje claims
Clergyman, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, aka Odumeje, has claimed that TikTok disconnected him because of his dangerous miracles.
The clergyman made this known while addressing his congregation on why he was blocked on the video-sharing platform.
Speaking in a clip, the cleric noted that he has performed a lot of what he described as ‘dangerous miracles’ that the platform is afraid of.
He accused those who don’t believe in his miracles of preventing him from having an account.
Odumeje said, “Even social media is rejecting me. Because of my dangerous miracles the TikTok rejected me. They disconnected me. They said this miracle is beyond them.”
News
What Kamala Harris says after losing America presidential election to Donald Trump
-
News5 hours ago
Court halts CBN, AGF from freezing Kano LG funds
-
News18 hours ago
U.S. election: Dollar, Bitcoin soar high as Trump wins
-
News23 hours ago
Corpse of Lagbaja arrives Nigeria as Presidency confirms death
-
Politics18 hours ago
Obi To Speak At Atiku’s AUN
-
News5 hours ago
Despite hunger govt jacks up cost of meter
-
Foreign5 hours ago
US election: Netayanhu opens up on Trump’s victory
-
Foreign4 hours ago
White House race: Factors that worked against Kamala Harris
-
News5 hours ago
READ what Ghanaian celebrities are saying about Trump