Posted by By Evelyn Usman & Patience Saghana on
Eldest son of the late Major General Bitrus Duniya, Paul yesterday described his father's death as a rude shock and a heavy blow for the family. He said this was the most painful moment in his life.
Eldest son of the late Major General Bitrus Duniya, Paul yesterday described his father's death as a rude shock and a heavy blow for the family. He said this was the most painful moment in his life.
Looking devastated by his father's sudden death, 24-year-old Paul said the ill-fated plane which claimed the lives of eight Majors-General including that of his father, thwarted his dreams of seeing his father witness his graduation from the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).
Paul who is on the last lap of his training at the NDA told Vanguard yesterday at Ann Barracks, Yaba, that the last moment with his dad was when he paid him a visit at the Academy in Kaduna. The late Major-General Duniya who was the Commandant of the Nigeria Army Ordinance Corps Service (NAOCS) was expected to be among top military officers to grace this year's Passing Out Parade (POP) at the NDA, Kaduna.
Describing his dad as one of the best in the whole world, Paul said, 'when he came to Kaduna and told me he would be coming to officiate the POP billed for September 30, 2006, he promised he was also going to be present during mine next September, as that would remind him of when he was also a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nigeria Army. But all that is not to be because my father will not be there to witness my graduation."
That was the last discussion I had with him. When he was leaving, I never had any premonition of the fate that would later befall him.
'I got to know he travelled when I called the house last week. I was hoping to see him when he returned only to wake up on Monday morning with the rude shock of the news of the plane crash which claimed the lives of several General including that of my dad. To say the least, it is indeed sad because he was the best father in the whole world. A father that would always discourage us from spending recklessly saying we should rather invest in shares and toe the path of God's righteousness"
Family members and sympathisers still thronged the bereaved family abode to give one or two words of encouragements. The widow, reportedly left for Abuja this morning to witness the interment of her late husband and other victims of the Dornier 228-212 plane crash which was initially billed for today but was postponed till tomorrow.
Most of the visitors included top serving military officers like Brigadier General U.T Usman, Brigadier General Osiegbe, Brigadier J.O Olorunfemi, Colonel E.M Osasoya amongst others and retired military officers.