The former Chief of General Staff to the Nigerian military regime, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd.) died in the early hours of today (Sunday). He would have been 79 years old next week Monday.
Between 17th November and 21st December 1997, Diya was second-in-command to General Sani Abacha when the dictator, who died mysteriously on 8th June 1998 was Head of State.
Diya, who was one of the top military officers tried and sentenced to death for a phantom coup in 1997, fell out with Abacha when the regime launched anti-people policies, and the latter worked towards perpetuating himself in power.
Upon Abacha’s death, Diya was pardoned by the succeeding Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar.
Diya combined his responsibilities as Chief of General Staff with that of Chief of Defence Staff. He was also military governor of his home state 0f Ogun between January 1984 and August 1985.
He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian civil war (1967 to 1970). He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.
While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He was Commander 31, Airborne Brigade. After serving as military governor of Ogun State, he was appointed General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigeria Army in 1985. Diya was Commandant, National War College (1991–1993) from where he became Chief of Defence Staff.
A statement by the Diya family reads:
General Oladipupo Diya is dead!
On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.
Our dear daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.
Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.
Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.
