• Says He Was a Motivator Despite Stern Look

• Safiu Kehinde

In the wake of the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, a man shared a memorable picture of his time with the late Army Chief during his time at the National Youth Service Orientation camp.

The man, who simply identified himself as AO, claimed the late Army Chief used to be his Platoon Commandant, describing him as a motivator despite his stern look.

Dated 1997/1998, the late Lagbaja could be seen in the picture, posted on X by Channels TV presenter, Kayode Okikiolu, holding hands with the then Corp member.

“He was my Platoon Commandant ages ago, during my NYSC.

“He was a disciplinarian, yet very friendly and helpful.

“His stern looks (which had been since then), does not really tell you his heart. He would sit and discuss, encourage, etc.

“We all loved him back then. I couldn’t have held an officer’ s hands like that.” AO captioned the picture.

NPO reported the announcement of Lagbaja’s death on Wednesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tributes has ever since flown as top government officials and institutions mourned the death of the Nigerian Army Chief.