News Desk
The Chief of General Staff (CGS) under the military regime of General Sani Abacha, Lieutenant General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, died at the age of 78.
In a statement released by his son Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, the former CGS died in the early hours of today.
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.”
General Diya was born at Odogbolu in Ogun State on 3rd April, 1944.
He attended Methodist Primary School, Lagos, and Odogbolu Grammar School, Odogbolu.
He joined the military in 1964 and attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
Diya was a military governor of Ogun State between 1984 and 1985 before becoming General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigeria Army.
He became the Chief of General Staff in 1994 during the military regime of General Abacha, a position he held until his arrest and charge for treason in 1997.