Former governor of Ogun State, and Senator-elect, Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has described the passage of the former Chief of General Staff under Gen Sani Abacha’s military regime, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd.), as a great loss.
Daniel said with the death of Diya, Nigeria and Ogun State have lost an illustrious son who played active roles in the affairs of the nation.
Diya died at the age of 79. He served as Chief of the General Staff, under the military head of state General Sani Abacha from 1994 until his arrest for alleged treason in 1997.
His passage was announced in a message signed by one of his children, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family, that Diya died in the early hours of Sunday, March. 26.
The former governor 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.
” As Military Administrator of Ogun State, he was exemplary in the enforcement of the War Against Indiscipline with a focus on a cleaner environment.
“He will surely be missed by a lot of people for different reasons and especially for his statesmanship.”
Daniel said that he shares in the grief of his family members adding that he has had a had close personal experiences and relationships with General Diya in and out of public office.
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.
