Late Oladipo Diya
Eko Hot Blog reports that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-General Oladipo Diya.
Diya died in the early hours of Sunday, according to his family.
He served as the Chief of General Staff (Nigeria’s dé facto vice president) to former Head of State Sani Abacha between 1994 and 1997.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the death of Diya, a former Chief of Defence Staff and ex-Military Governor of Ogun State, as a great loss to the country.
The governor described the late Diya, as a gallant soldier and elder statesman, who served the country meritoriously.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
He also commiserated with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the entire people of the State, especially indigenes of Odogbolu, on the demise of their illustrious son.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, the Nigerian Army and associates of the late Lt.-General Oladipo Diya, over the death of the former Chief of General Staff and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“I also commiserate with my brother, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the people of Odogbolu town and Ogun State over the death of their former governor and illustrious son. I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“The death of Lt.-General Oladipo Diya is a colossal loss to the country. He made lots of positive impact and contribution during his lifetime to the growth and development of Nigeria, especially in the Nigeria Army.
“He fought, along with several other patriots tirelessly for a united Nigeria during his days in the Nigerian Army, especially during the Civil War. He also held positions in the Armed Forces and rose to the position of the Chief of General Staff, (de facto Vice President of Nigeria) under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give his immediate family, friends, associates and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Diya was convicted of treason in 1997 after allegedly planning a coup to overthrow the Abacha government.
He narrowly escape execution upon the unexpected death of Abacha in 1998.
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