Lt. General Oladipo Diya, former Chief of General Staff under General Abacha, dies

Son announces death

The death of former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya, has been announced by his son, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. In a statement released on Sunday morning, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya stated that the general passed away in the early hours of March 26th, 2023.

Family mourns

The statement further reads, “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. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.”

Background

Lt. General Oladipo Diya was born on April 3rd, 1944 in Odogbolu, Ogun State. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War. He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994. As Chief of the General Staff, he was second in command and the de facto vice president of Nigeria under Abacha from 1994.

Mourning again

Diya’s death comes less than two years after he lost his wife, Folashade, in May of 2020.

Final words

Further details about the cause of death and funeral arrangements haven’t been made public yet. More information is expected to be released in due course.

Credit: https://punchng.com/breaking-ex-cgs-oladipo-diya-dies-at-79/

ENND