President Bola Tinubu on Saturday extolled the virtues of former Chief of General Staff, deceased Gen. Oladipo Diya, whom he described as selfless and diligent leader.

The president stated in his message to the final funeral rites of Diya at his Odogbolu hometown in Ogun State that Mr Diya’s contributions to nation-building remained a reference point for upcoming generations.

The president’s message was delivered by Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The president noted that while Mr Diya’s death was painful, his impactful life and legacies were sufficient to console his loved ones and the generality of Nigerians.

He added that Mr Diya’s contributions to the sanctity of Nigeria’s territorial integrity were legendary.

“Gen. Diya’s efforts towards curtailing several uprisings that threatened the corporate entity of Nigeria are legendary and these will remain indelible in the consciousness of Nigerians and sub-Sahara Africans.

“Indeed, his life of selflessness and diligence in the service of the military remains a reference point for coming generations of military officers.

“His leadership and tactical prowess greatly contributed to the success of this nation.

“He implemented various reforms in the army, including training programmes and welfare of soldiers and under his leadership, the Nigerian Army witnessed significant advancement and operational effectiveness,’’ Tinubu stated.

Late Gen. Diya was born in Odogbolu, Ogun State, on April 3, 1944.

He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, at a young age and was part of the soldiers who fought during the Nigerian Civil War between July 6, 1967, and Jan. 15, 1970.

Mr Diya studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree.

He also went through the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to the bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In 1993, the deceased maximum ruler, Gen Sani Abacha, appointed Diya as his Chief of General Staff and, in 1994, made him Vice-Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council.

Prior to his appointment as Mr Abacha’s second-in-command, Mr Diya served as the Chief of Defence Staff and also as Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985.

On Dec. 21, 1997, the military regime of Mr Abacha arrested top army officials, including Mr Diya, and 11 others for allegedly plotting to “violently’’ overthrow Mr Abacha.

One week before his arrest, Mr Diya allegedly narrowly missed becoming the victim of a bomb explosion at the Abuja airport.

He was on his way to represent Mr Abacha at the funeral of the mother of Major-General Lawrence Onoja in Benue.

Mr Diya, in collaboration with retired Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (Chief of Army Staff from 1996 to 1999) and other notable officers, demanded four things from Mr Abacha.

They had noticed that he was beginning to nurture the plan to transmute as president for life.

They demanded that the original draft of the 1995 Constitution be promulgated without the mutilation to which Mr Abacha was subjecting the document.

They demanded that the June 12 crisis be resolved and, along with it, the release of political prisoners, which included the winner of the June 12 1993 presidential elections, the late Bashorun MKO Abiola.

They also demanded that Mr Abacha should make an unambiguous public pronouncement that he had no intention of succeeding himself.

The army generals also demanded that an attempt to eliminate Yoruba military officers should be terminated.

Mr Diya was tried by a military tribunal and was given the death penalty.

Fortunately, upon the sudden death of Mr Abacha in 1998, Mr Diya was pardoned by the late Head of State’s successor, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Mr Diya died on March 26, 2023

(NAN)