Former VP To Sani Abacha, Diya Dies At 78

The Nigerian military and the entire nation have been thrown into mourning following the demise of former Nigeria’s Chief of Staff, Oladipo Diya on Sunday morning.

The defacto Vice president to General Sani Abacha died around 1:05a.m on Sunday at a hospital in Lagos.

The news was announced by Diya’s media aide, Olawale Adekoya, and signed on behalf of the family by Oyesinmilola Diya, a lawyer and the deceased’s first son.

It read in part:

“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.”

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, in Odogbolu, Ogun state, Diya who would have turned 79 years old in less than 10 days time was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

He attended Yaba Methodist School, Lagos from 1950–1956 and would later became a pioneer student of Odogbolu Grammar School, which he attended from 1957 to 1962.

Diya also served as Chief of Defence Staff.