President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said the former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya, lived a remarkable life of a soldier.
In a statement on Sunday signed by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the former Governor of Lagos State said Diya made his mark in the military where he served the country diligently.
Tinubu, who sent messages of condolence to the family of the deceased, expressed sadness over the passing of the retired General
The statement reads: “The news of the death of General Oladipo Diya early this morning came to me as a shock. I send my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his immediate family especially his wives and children.
“General Diya lived a remarkable life of a soldier and he made his mark in the military where he served our country diligently.
“As Military Governor of Ogun State, in the various military positions he held till he rose to the enviable position of Chief of General Staff and second in command to the Head of State, he served meritoriously.
“As much as he could, he played a stabilising role during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s life in the aftermath of June 12, 1993 presidential election. He will be remembered for his patriotism and service to the nation.
“My condolences to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the people of Ogun State.
”I pray that Almighty Allah comfort his family and all those he left behind. May God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest.”
In his reaction, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo said the death of the former military governor of Ogun State has further depleted the nation’s leadership.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said the rare diligence, loyalty, and resourcefulness with which Diya carried out his duties and responsibilities, culminated in his different appointments in the military.
Obasanjo was quoted as describing the deceased “as a dedicated officer and a real patriot. From the thick of the Nigerian Civil War to the post-war re-organisation of the Army, he distinguished himself as a seasoned soldier.
“The rare diligence, loyalty, and resourcefulness with which he carried out his duties and responsibilities, culminated in his appointment as Commander 31, Airborne Brigade; Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985; General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigeria Army in 1985; Commandant, National War College, 1991–1993; Chief of Defence Staff in 1993 and soon after, Chief of General Staff also in 1993; Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994 and later functioned as Nigeria’s Number Two man under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1994 to 1997.
“I recall as a Military Governor of Ogun State, he made a tremendous mark through dedication to duty, loyalty to his fatherland, and an impeccable example of incorruptible leadership,” he added.
“He was courageous and quite a disciplinarian and a no-nonsense officer.”
