Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has mourned the death of Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (GCON), the former Chief of General Staff under the military regime of Sani Abacha.

Diya died on Sunday at the age of 79.

Mr Abiodun, in a statement in Abeokuta by his spokesperson, Kunle Somorin, described Mr Diya as a seasoned administrator, gentleman and officer whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria would remain indelible.

The governor added that the government and people of Ogun State would not forget the late Mr Diya’s role in its history.

He recalled that the deceased, who was a former number “Two Citizen” in the country, was also a military governor in the state.

“He was courageous and daring, quick-witted and patriotic.

“Diya played frontline roles in the evolution and development of the state and Nigeria as a whole,” the governor said.

Mr Abiodun called on the family members, friends and associates of the late Mr Diya to take solace in the fact that he played the parts assigned to him by providence diligently, conscientiously and patriotically meritoriously.

The governor prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest, while enjoining Nigerians to emulate the good virtues that he left behind.

Recall that Mr Diya was born on April 3, 1944, in Odogbolu, Ogun and was the military governor of the state from January 1984 to August 1985.

(NAN)