Some Nigerian senators and distinguished military officers have honoured late Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya describing him as a disciplined General worthy of emulation.
They made the remarks in interviews during the Commendation Service of the late lieutenant general which held at All African United Methodist Church, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos on Thursday.
Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya died on March 26 at the age of 79.
Sen. Anthony Adefuye said that Diya would be greatly missed because he was disciplined, forthright and that he would also be remembered as a hero of democracy.
Adefuye said that the allegations made against the late lieutenant general regarding his contribution to the 1997 coup was not true and was all a misconception.
“I was earmarked for execution at a point in time but after putting a call to Diya, he ensured that I was not killed and to him I owe my life today,” Adefuye said.
Sen. Adeleke Mamora said that Diya was a man of integrity who lived well and served his country, state , community as well as his Church well.
“That is why his church, All African United Methodist Church has conducted a service in honour of him.
“This is a testimony to his good life and it is a way to remind all of us that at some point in time, we will all die and not be here again.
“So, we can only be remembered for the life we lived and what we did while we were alive,” Mamora said.
The senator extended his condolences to Diya’s family and to all that came across him in one way or the other while he was alive.
Similarly, the pioneering military Governor for Abia, AVM Frank Ajobena said that Diya exemplified hard work, discipline and that he was loved by most people.
“I am privileged to be a member of Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) Regular Course 7 but Diya belonged to the first regular course from the academy.
“His set is the first group that started the Defense Academy so, naturally, they were my seniors and the models that we were all looking up to because of our career.
“Even though we were not in the same service, I had a special relationship with his family. He was a nice person and was always there for us,” Ajobena said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Kayode Omiyale said that Diya, who he referred to as Daddy, had immensely contributed to the development of the community.
Omiyale said that daddy had been generous in the community’s development, so, the Yaba LCDA have decided to immortalize him by renaming a recently constructed street after him.
“We still want daddy’s name to be remembered and also, by doing so, we expect that the children will still continue from where daddy stopped and still be with us,” he said.
The chairman thanked God for the life of Diya describing it as a life well spent and that his contributions to the development of the community still continued until his death time.
Also, the Chairman of Nigerian Military School Association, Lagos State, Col. Abayomi Dabiri (rtd.), said that Diya was a forthright General, very disciplined and always expected the best from his subordinates.
Dabiri said that Diya would be remembered as a gentleman senior officer, highly dedicated to his career “because he was someone that we all looked up to in our career in the military.
“I extend my condolences to his family and urge the children to continue to carry out the legacy of their father and the sky will be their limit,” the retired colonel said.
