The family of retired Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, a former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military junta, has passed away at the age of 78.
Prince Oyesinmilola Diya confirmed the news in a statement, stating that Diya died in the early hours of March 26th, 2023.
The statement read: “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.”
Born on April 3rd, 1944, Diya was a military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.
Diya attended several prestigious military institutions, including the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College in Jaji, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru. While serving in the military, he also studied law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he earned an LLB degree, and at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Diya held other high-ranking military positions, including GOC of the 82 Division, before serving as Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha.
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman