Two people — a family friend and an aide — yesterday recounted the last minutes of the country’s one-time number two man Gen. Donaldson Oladipo Diya, who died in the wee hours at the age of 79.

Diya was Chief of General Staff (CGS) in the government led by the late military dictator Gen. Sani Abacha, who seized power from the Interim National Government (ING) led by the late Chief Ernest Shonekan in November 1993.

In 1997, Gen. Diya was convicted alongside others for coup plotting and sentenced to death.

His life was spared by Gen. Abacha’s sudden death in office in 1998.

He was released by the government of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar that took over from Abacha.

“He had been ill for a long time. His condition took a turn for the worse in the last few days when he could no longer speak,” a family friend told The Nation.

According to the source, the former CGS was rushed to a high-profile hospital close to his GRA Ikeja residence after midnight on Saturday, where he was pronounced dead.

Diya was found uncomfortable by domestic staff and family members at his 31, Adekunle Fajuyi residence in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and was taken to the hospital.

A statement by Diya’s son, Oyesinmilola, said: “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.-Gen. Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd).

“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.”

Diya’s Special Adviser Media, Olawale Adekoya, said the retired General was restricted to family gatherings in the past year.

He said: “Traditionally, there is fellowship at home at the family chapel every day and he has been regular.

“He ate light as he has been doing in the past year. He had restricted social outings to only family gatherings due to old age.

“Around past midnight, he was discovered to be uncomfortable and was taken to a nearby private hospital at Ikeja where he was confirmed dead.

“He was not in any pain, no organ failure or need for any emergency.

“In fact, we were preparing for his 80th birthday in just about a week when death came lurking.

“He has not been attending public functions since last year. He has been taking it easy.

“He was the first set of the Nigerian Defence Academy, was in the pioneering set of Odogbolu Grammar School and was the first Commandant of the National War College, Lagos.

“Oyesinmilola, incidentally, along with his late father made history when they were both called to bar some years back.”

The adviser said that late general wrote a book titled “Destiny Anchored On Faith”, an account of his life and civil war experience.

Diya’s younger brother, Wole, a former federal lawmaker, said the deceased was a true family man.

He said the late general played the role of father to him and others, making them who they are.

He said it was Gen. Diya who sponsored his studies, adding that the deceased held the family together as a rallying point.

Wole said: “We lost our dad 40 years ago and my late brother took it upon himself to send everybody in the family to school.

“He virtually made everybody in the family and gave us all an opportunity to be successful in life without any reservations.

“I am what I am today by the grace of God and with help of my brother.”

A close associate, Senator Anthony Adefuye, said Diya would be remembered for standing with the people and the mandate given to Chief MKO Abiola during the June 12, 1993 crisis.

Speaking when he visited the family, the senator said the late general stood for honesty and he was a fan of the media.

“When he was Vice President, he was always on the side of the people.

“Even during the June 12 problems, he stood with us and that is why we have a good bond.

“He has performed more than an ordinary person for this country and we all mourn him as he died at the age of 79,” Adefuye said.

Cleric, others mourn

Anglican Bishop of Ijebu South, Rt. Rev. Babtunde Ogunbanwo said Diya was highly disciplined and stood for unity.

“In 1993, he had every opportunity to become the Head of State.

“Instead, he stepped down for General Abacha just for the sake of peace and unity.

“When he was governor of Ogun State if you stole money, he would throw you in the guardroom because he was a committed Nigerian.

“We as Yoruba people, as Odogbolu people, and as Ijebu people, are proud of him.

“He lived a simple life of impact and integrity and we thank God for a life well spent,” Ogunbanwo said.

The Olugbon of Odogbolu, Olusola Ogunaike, said the late Diya was a good man and a great ambassador of the state.

Diya was born on April 3, 1944 in Odogbolu, Ogun State.

He was the Military Governor from January 1984 to August 1985.

He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994, offices he held till 1997.