Abiodun promises state burial for Diya

Osinbajo, defence minister mourn ex-CGS

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, paid a condolence visit to the Lagos residence of the former Chief of General Staff (CGS) and Military Governor of the state, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd), saying that the late military top brass would be given a state burial.

Abiodun, who described Diya’s death as a great loss to Ogun State in particular and the country in general, said the late CGS lived an impactful life worthy of emulation.

The governor, while leading a delegation from the state comprising members of the State Executive Council (SEC) to the family, said the history of Ogun State would not be complete without the mention of his name.

He urged the family members not to grieve over his death as he impacted his generation and has gone home to rest with his Lord.

Besides, he said that a committee made up of some SEC members would be set up to liaise with the family to give the former military governor of the state a befitting burial.

Responding on behalf of the family, one of the sons of the late Army General, Oyedamola, thanked the governor for showing concern to the family through the visit, adding that his father, while alive, had deep affection for the present administration because of its good works.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, described the late Diya as a patriot who showed deep love and commitment to Nigeria during and after his service to the military and the nation.

In a statement he personally signed, the VP said: “I received with sadness the news of the passing of retired Lt.-Gen. Donaldson Oladipo Diya, the former Chief of General Staff and Number Two man in the administration of the Federal Military Government of the late Gen Sani Abacha.

“General Diya was not only a distinguished Nigerian patriot, and an illustrious son of Odogbolu in Ogun State, he was also a statesman who showed deep love and commitment to his country even after his illustrious service to the nation.”
ALSO, the Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), described the death of Diya as a monumental loss to the military constituency and the nation at large.

Magashi, who stated this in a condolence message, yesterday,
condoled with the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the people of Ogun State, late Diya’s family, friends and associates in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

The minister prayed to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased whom he said would be missed greatly as a great nationalist who dedicated his life to serving the nation.

He also prayed for his family and the nation to be fortified with fortitude to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss of a patriotic Nigerian who served diligently and fearlessly in defending the national territorial integrity in peace and war times.