Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, paid a condolence visit to the Lagos residence of the former Chief of General Staff and Military Governor of Ogun, General Oladipo Diya, disclosing that the late military top brass would be given a state burial by the state.
This is just as the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance and Senator-elect of the Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has mourned Diya who was a former Military Administrator of Ogun State.
Governor Abiodun, who described his death as a great loss to Ogun in particular and the country in general, said late Diya lived an impactful life worthy of emulation.
Speaking further, while leading a delegation from the state comprising members of the State Executive Council, the governor said, “General Diya was a man of many parts. His life epitomized integrity and character. He was a soldier and gentleman, a lawyer with an eventful career. He rose to the peak of his career as the Chief of General Staff.”
The governor noted that he held many command and administrative positions while in the military and continued to make an impact on humanity after retirement from active service.
He acknowledged his commitment to his community, especially in the Odogbolu Local Government Area, adding that the history of Ogun State would not be complete without the mention of his name.
Abiodun, while praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, urged the family members not to grieve over his death as he impacted his generation and has gone home to rest with his Lord.
He announced that a committee made up of some State Executive Council members would be set up to liaise with the family to give the former military governor of the state a befitting burial.
Responding on behalf of the family, one of the sons of the late General Diya, Oyedamola, thanked the governor for showing concerns to the family at this trying time through the visit, saying that his father while alive, had deep affection for the present administration because of its good works.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee Chairman on Finance and Senator-elect of the Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has mourned the former Military Administrator of Ogun State and Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya, GCON.
Senator Adeola who is popularly called YAYI described Diya as an icon who deserves to be honoured and celebrated.
In a Condolence Message, Senator Adeola said he received with great shock the news of the death of Diya, the former Military Administrator of Ogun State and former Chief of General Staff and defacto Vice President which occurred barely a week to the celebration of his 79th Birthday scheduled for April 3, 2023.
“There is no doubt that, with his demise, Ogun State and indeed Nigeria has lost one its finest statesmen, an accomplished Army General, a seasoned and top notch administrator, a brilliant lawyer and a humble personality with strong character who has mentored many, both in the army and in the society at large,” he stated in release according to Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola.
The chairman of the Senate Committee of Finance said as the Military Administrator of Ogun State for a year and seven months, General Diya made a radical and remarkable contribution to the development of the State with many Infrastructural projects and social programmes that earned him and his Administration a great deal of respect, admiration and recorgnition within and outside the State.
He added that late Army General left a compelling legacy that has been built upon by successive Administrations in the State, for which he deserves to be honoured, appreciated and celebrated.
Senator Adeola stated he joins the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, people of Ogun State and the Diya Family to celebrate the life and times of this great icon with a heart full of gratitude to God Almighty for the meaningful and impactful life he had lived.
He also prayed the Lord to grant his soul eternal rest and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
