Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the death of General Donaldson Oladipo Diya has no doubt, depleted the ranks of leadership in the country.
Diya died in early hours of Sunday, in Lagos at age 79.
Obasanjo, who disclosed this while reacting to the news of Diya’s death, said that Nigeria has lost a dedicated and resourceful patriot who served the country meritoriously
He said that Diya served the country in various capacities as an Army Officer, community leader and a legal practitioner, describing his life as a great success and accomplishments which would long be remembered after him.
The former president made this known through a statement by his Media Aide Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, saying no doubt, the ranks of the nation’s leadership have been depleted following of his death.
Obasanjo recalled that he made tremendous remark as a Military Governor of Ogun State, through dedication to duty, loyalty to his fatherland and an impeccable example of incorruptible leadership, noting that he was courageous, disciplinarian and a no-nonsense officer.
He said that Diya’s death went beyond being mourned by his immediate family and community, saying that the entire nation also shares the pain and grief for the irreparable loss of a distinguished son of the country.
He added that his entire family joined in wishing the late Diya’s family the comfort and solace sorely needed during this period of bereavement and great trial.
Obasanjo said: “It is noteworthy that in the course of his military service which straddled more than three decades, he acquitted himself as a dedicated officer and a real patriot. From the thick of the Nigerian Civil War to the post-war re-organisation of the Army, he distinguished himself as a seasoned soldier.
“The rare diligence, loyalty and resourcefulness with which he carried out his duties and responsibilities, culminated in his appointment as Commander 31, Airborne Brigade; Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985; General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigeria Army in 1985; Commandant, National War College, 1991–1993; Chief of Defence Staff in 1993 and soon after, Chief of General Staff also in 1993; Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994 and later functioned as Nigeria’s Number Two man under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1994 to 1997.
“I recall as a Military Governor of Ogun State, he made tremendous mark through dedication to duty, loyalty to his fatherland and an impeccable example of incorruptible leadership. He was courageous and quite a disciplinarian and a no-nonsense officer.
“In retirement, Diya contributed to national development as a private businessman, legal practitioner and a provider of employment for many of our people, Obasanjo hinted, stressing, “he is being mourned, therefore, beyond his immediate family and community. I believe the entire nation also shares the pain and grief for the irreparable loss of a distinguished son of Nigeria indeed.