Twenty-five years after, the Paul Erinne Foundation has donated 1,000 bags of rice and scholarships to five indigenes of Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State capital to commemorate the death of General Tunde Idiagbon, former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.
The scholarships, according to the Chairman of the foundation, Engr. Paul Erinne, is for five selected youths from the Ilorin Emirate to study Engineering Courses in any Federal University in Nigeria.
Erinne announced the donation on Sunday during his visit to the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR.
He noted that the 1,000 bags of rice is to be distributed among the people of Ilorin Emirate to support them during the month of Ramadan in honour of the late Gen. Idiagbon, stressing that the gesture was meant for the ‘poorest of the poor’.
“I never met late General Idiagbon during his lifetime but I am happy to be associated with him, even at death.
“The day the Buhari/Idiagbon-led government was overthrown, I shut myself in the house for three days. It was that moment then that I knew that Nigeria had entered the dark.
“Idiagbon was known for humility, compassion and honesty. I hope political office holders will imbibe his nationalistic principles in order to make the nation better.
“We gather to commemorate the 25th memorial of General Tunde Idiagbon, a remarkable leader whose legacy continues to inspire us all. As we reflect on his life and contributions, we honor his memory with gratitude and reverence.
“General Tunde Idiagbon was not just a military leader; he was a visionary, a patriot, and a symbol of integrity. His unwavering commitment to duty, discipline, and the welfare of his country left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history.”
Engr. Erinne further stressed that, “During his tenure as the Chief of Staff to General Muhammadu Buhari, General Idiagbon exemplified leadership at its finest.
“He was a man of principles who led by example, instilling discipline and order in every aspect of governance. His dedication to rooting out corruption and restoring accountability set a standard that still resonates with us today.
“Beyond his military prowess, General Idiagbon was known for his humility and compassion. He had a genuine concern for the well-being of his fellow citizens and worked tirelessly to uplift the nation, especially during challenging times.
“As we honor his memory today, let us not only remember Tunde Idiagbon for his accomplishments but also for the values he embodied. Let us strive to emulate his courage, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to the betterment of society.
“Though he may no longer be with us in person, his spirit lives in the hearts of those he inspired and the nation he served. Let us carry forward his legacy with pride and determination, ensuring that his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria remains alive.
“In closing, let us pay tribute to Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon by rededicating ourselves to the ideals he stood for. May his memory continue to serve as a guiding light for generations to come.”
In his remarks, the Emir of Ilorin further asserted that late Gen. Abdulbaki Babatunde Idiagbon was a patriotic Nigerian and worthy ambassador of Ilorin Emirate for him to have been remembered with such a laudable support for his people by another good friend after 25 years of his demise.
“He prayed Allah to continue to have mercy on his soul and grant him Al-jannatul Fridous.”
In his own chat with journalists, a retired senior staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr Mustapha Yakubu, described corruption which General Idiagbon’s military government fought against as the major killer of Nigeria’s growth and development.
He condemned the idea of plea bargaining for thieves saying when “people one way or the other do something wrong, for me I hate the plea bargaining system when someone actually embezzles money and is taken to the court.”
Engr Mustapha, who hosted the foundation, disclosed that the commemoration of late General Idiagbon’s death will be sustained to become a yearly event designed to imbibe the culture of discipline in the youths and coming generation.
The founder of the foundation and his team also visited the family house of General Idiagbon along Balogun Fulani road, Ilorin, where they were received by family members led by Hajia Oniyangi, the eldest sister of the late General.
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