The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that Oladipo Diya, a former Chief of General Staff, who died in the early hours of Sunday, March 26, 2023, will be given a state burial.
Abiodun made this known on Monday as he paid a condolence visit to the Lagos residence of the former military governor of Ogun State.
Abiodun said the late army general lived an impactful life worthy of emulation and further described his death as a great loss to Ogun in particular and the country in general, adding that the history of Ogun State would not be complete with Diya.
According to the governor, “General Diya was a man of many parts. His life epitomised integrity and character. He was a soldier and gentleman, a lawyer with an eventful career. He rose to the peak of his career as the Chief of General Staff. ”
Abiodun, who led a delegation from the state comprising members of the State Executive Council, said members of the council would set up a committee and liaise with the family to give the former military governor of the state a befitting burial.
The newly re-elected governor, while praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, urged the family members not to grieve over his death, saying he had impacted his generation and had gone home to rest with his Lord.
Responding on behalf of the family, one of the sons of the late General Diya, Oyedamola, thanked the governor for showing concerns to the family.
Diya 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 General Sani Abacha from 1994.
The former Chief of General Staff was born on April 3, 1944 at Odogbolu in Ogun State, and died March 26, 2023, at the age of 78.