A former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Brigadier-General Dominic Obukadata Oneya is dead.
According to reports, Oneya was military Governor of Kano from August 1996 to August 1998 during the military regime of General Abacha.
He was also Administrator of Benue State from August 1998 to May 1999 during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over power to the elected Executive Governor, George Akume on 29 May 1999.
His death was disclosed by Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim, SSA to the Kano State Governor on Social Media.
Oneya was Governor of Kano State when the present Governor HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was Commissioner of Works and Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was Permanent Secretary (AGS) at the time.
Oneya was born on 26 May 1948 in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos state. His family is Urhobo. His origin is Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
He attended the Baptist Academy, Yaba, Lagos (1962–1967), then enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in May 1969, earning a commission in the Infantry Corps in September 1971.
Oneya attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) (1977–1980), earning B.Sc degree in physical education.
He attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna (1983–1984) and the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1987–1988).
Command positions during his military career include Adjutant of 31 Infantry Battalion (1971–1972), Instructor at 4 Division Training School (1972–1973) and Instructor at Nigerian Army Military Training College, Jaji (1975–1977).
As a Staff Officer from 1977 he served at Army Headquarters Lagos and in operations with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (1980–1981).
He was Commandant of the Nigerian Army Physical Training School, Zaria (1985–1987), Directing Staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji (1987–1989) and Directing Staff, Ghana Armed Forces College Teshe, Ghana (1989–1991).
He was appointed Commander, 82 Motorized Infantry Brigade, Kano (1993–1995), Commander, 16 Battalion, Nigerian ECOMOG Contingent in Liberia and then Director of administration, Training and Doctrine Command (1995-July 1996).[2]
On 22 August 1996, General Sani Abacha appointed him Administrator of Kano State, Nigeria and later deployed to Benue State during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over to the elected executive governor George Akume on 29 May 1999.
He retired from Military service on a rank of Brigadier General and he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association on 17th January 2000.
Oneya died on Thursday at his home in Effurun GRA, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State at the age of 73.
