…recounts their meeting in detention camp.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has commiserated with the Diya Family of Odogbolu, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria over the demise of their son and father, Lt. General Oladipo Diya. The General passed on in the early hours of Sunday, March 26 at the age of 78.
The deceased elder statesman was a former Chief of General Staff, under the Abacha-led military regime, between 1994-1997.
The Deputy Governor in his condolence message personally signed by him stated: “I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of the sudden passing of one of Nigeria’s refined military officers, Lt. Gen Oladipo Diya, at the age of 78 years”.
“Let me place on record that General Diya belonged to the respected club of the nation’s retired top military brass who served assiduously in defence and protection of the territorial integrity of our dear country”.
Shaibu reflected on the travails they both had in detention and enthused; “l had the rare honour and privilege to have associated very closely with our departed General at such a critical period of Nigeria’s history, during the Abacha-led military regime between 1994 – 1997”.
“We were both detained at the Jos facility of the State Security Services, SSS. I was arrested and detained for mobilizing the Nigerian students’ body against the dictatorial and obnoxious regime of Gen Sani Abaca in a nationwide movement tagged ‘Abacha Must Go’. On his part, General Diya was detained under the guise of a phantom coup plot against Abacha, the then Military Head of State”.
“I can say for sure that he exhibited an uncommon degree of cordiality, friendliness, conviviality and a high degree of joviality during our brief but memorable encounter in detention. I pray God Almighty in His infinite mercy to grant his soul eternal rest”.