The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday, March 26, 2023 mourned the passing of Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, who served as Chief of General Staff and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994 under the Abacha regime.
Diya passed away in the early hours of Sunday, as announced by his son, Oyesinmilola Diya, the statement reads “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to the glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (retd.).
“Our dear daddy passed on to glory in the early hours of March 26, 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.”
Also, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, former governor of Ogun State and Senator-elect Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel and former Senate President Bukola Saraki on Sunday joined Nigerians to mourn the death of former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd), commiserated with the government and people of Nigeria, as well as the military, friends and associates of the late former Chief of General Staff on the passing away of the soldier-statesman.
Gen. Diya, who served as Chief of General Staff (de facto Vice President of Nigeria) from 1994 to 1997 General Sani Abacha, would have turned 79 on April 3 but gave up the ghost in the early hours of Sunday, March 26.
He previously served as Military Governor of Ogun State, from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime.
President Buhari hailed the departed elder statesman in a statement titled ‘President Buhari pays tribute to General Diya’. The president thanked the Lt. Gen. Oladipo (retd.) “for his love, belief and loyalty to the country”. He added that “his contributions to the nation will never be forgotten”.
“Diya was known for his brilliance, exceptional organisational skills and discipline, and he displayed these virtues in the important roles he held in office as a military officer”, the statement signed by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, read on Sunday afternoon.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun also released a statement by Kunle Somorin, the governor’s spokesman. The governor described the departed Army General as a seasoned administrator, gentleman and officer. His contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria would remain indelible. He also added that others would carry on from where he left off. He said Ogun State would not forget Diya’s role.
Former governor of Ogun State, and Senator-elect, Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, in a statement issued on Sunday said, “The demise of General Oladipo (retd), is a great loss to our country, Nigeria and to Ogun State in particular. General Diya, as Chief of General Staff, played his part as a military strategist and his stabilising role during the military era can never be forgotten”.
“He will surely be missed by a lot of people for different reasons and especially for his statesmanship.” He prayed for his repose to get eternal rest in the bosom of his Creator while also praying for strength for his family to be able to bear his demise.
He added that the former Military Administrator of Ogun State was exemplary in the enforcement of the War Against Indiscipline with a focus on a cleaner environment.
Bukola Saraki, former Senate President joined Nigerians to mourn the death of Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd.).
Saraki noted that Diya who was de facto Vice President under Gen. Sani Abacha. Furthermore, he also played many significant roles in the country’s history.
“His contributions to the Nigerian Armed Forces and his service to the nation will always be remembered. As the nation mourns his passing, I extend my condolences to his family, friends, and his associates. I pray that they find solace in the knowledge that he served Nigeria honourably and that his invaluable service to the nation will never be forgotten”, he said.
Born April 3, 1944, at Odogbolu in Ogun State, Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He also fought during the Nigerian Civil War.
He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994.
cc: Punch Ng
