Former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya is dead

Former Chief of General Staff under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Lt. General Oladipo Donaldson Diya, rtd, is dead.

His death was announced in a statement by his son, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on Sunday morning.

It read, “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.”

The one time Military Administrator in Ogun was born on April 3, 1944 at Odogbolu in Ogun State.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

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He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994. As Chief of the General Staff, he was second in command and the de facto vice president of Nigeria under Abacha from 1994

He was arrested for allegedly planning a coup to take over government of Gen Sani Abacha in 1997 and sentenced to death.

He was however pardoned and released after the death of Gen Abacha in 1998.

Meanwhile, tributes have started pouring in for the former Lt. Gen Oladipo Diya, Governor Dapo Abiodun on Sunday led many in mourning and commiserating with the Diya family.

Governor Abiodun in a statement by his chief press secretary, Kunle Somorin described the departed army General as a seasoned administrator, gentleman and officer whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria would remain indelible, adding that others carried on where he left off and Ogun State would not forget Diya’s role in its history.

“He was couragrous and daring, quick-witted and patriotic. Gen. Diya played frontline roles in the evolution and development of the state and his activities in the military, in part led to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country In 1999.

Similarly, former Governor of Ogun state and Senator representing Ogun Central, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Sunday also commiserated with the family of the former Military Administrator.

Amosun in a statement he personally signed prayed that God will comfort the family and give the departed eternal rest.