Moses Ofodeme
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-General Oladipo Diya.
Sanwo-Olu 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.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late Diya, as a gallant soldier and elder statesman, who served the country meritoriously as a military officer, Governor of Ogun State and Chief of General Staff.
Governor Sanwo-Olu 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.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Also, former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel and his successor, Ibikunle Amosun have reacted to the passing of a former Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya.
The two former Governors regretted that the rank of Nigeria’s Elder Statesmen and significant personalities got further depleted on Sunday morning with the death of Gen. Diya.
According to Daniel, Ogun State has lost an illustrious son, who he said played active roles in the affairs of the nation.
“The demise of General Oladipo (rtd), is a great loss to our country, Nigeria and to Ogun State in particular,” the Senator-elect said.
He said Diya, as Chief of General Staff, played his part as a military strategist, stressing that his stabilising role during the military era cannot be forgotten.
“As the Military Administrator of Ogun State, he was exemplary in the enforcement of the War Against Indiscipline with a focus on a cleaner environment and prayed that his family be able to bear the painful exit, ” Daniel said.
In his words, Amosun described Diya as an accomplished Army General and qualified Legal Practitioner, saying his diligence earned him many promotions and various appointments as Platoon Commander, 6th Battalion, Ikeja; Commanding Officer, 101 Battalion; Deputy Adjutant-General; Director, Nigerian Contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Operations among others.
Amosun said Diya was well regarded for unusual grace as a recipient of God’s special anointing, “which ensured that he survived a myriad of intrigues and several near-death encounters in his Military and public service career.”
In his condolences to the Diya family, the widow, the children and others, Amosun prayed that “the Holy Spirit will comfort you all on all sides.”
He prayed that the soul of Diya finds eternal rest in the bosom of his Creator.