Diya, a principled military officer, patriot

A former Minister of Communication, Major General Tajudeen Adeniyi Olarenwaju (retd.), has described the passing away of Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd.), the former number two man in the military regime of late General Sani Abacha, as the national loss of a patriot, statesman, courageous officer and fine gentleman.

Olanrenwaju, who was jailed together with Diya by their estranged boss, in a phantom coup but escaped death after the death of Abacha in 1998, extolled the virtues of Diya as a principled military officer with a high intellectual disposition.

“His legal knowledge coupled with vast military experience, made him excel on many fronts as a no-nonsense field officer or office administrator,” said Olarenwaju.

He further expressed heartfelt condolences to the nuclear and extended families, colleagues and friends of the fallen hero.

The former communication minister said Diya would be remembered nationally as an iconic personality in the history of nation-building in Nigeria, even though he was an officer.

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