Lt. General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (retd), a former chief of general staff under General Sani Abacha’s military junta, has passed away.
Prince Oyesinmilola Diya confirmed that he had passed away. He claimed that early on March 26, 2023, the former military governor of Ogun State entered eternal life.
He said in the statement, “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.”
Diya, who was born on April 3rd, 1944, served as Ogun State’s military governor following the Buhari-Idiagbon coup on December 31st, 1983.
In the Nigerian Civil War, Diya enlisted at the Nigerian Defense Academy in Kaduna.
Thereafter, he attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (Kuru), the Command and Staff College (Jaji), and the US Army School of Infantry.
Diya studied law when he was in the military at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he earned an LLB, and later at the Nigerian Law School, where he was admitted to the bar and appointed a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He also held several important military positions, including GOC and 82 Division, before serving as Gen. Sani Abacha’s Chief of General Staff (military Vice President).