REPS SET UP DELEGATION TO VISIT DIYA’S FAMILY OVER HIS DEATH
The House of Representatives honored the late Oladipo Diya on Tuesday and organized a group to visit his family and express its condolences.
Diya, who worked for General Sani Abacha, the de facto head of state, from 1994 to 1997, passed away on Sunday.
Peter Akpatason, the Deputy Majority Leader, is in charge of the group.
Its other members include Babajimi Benson, chairman of the House Committee on Defense; Emeka Chinedu; Sergius Ogun; Abdullahi Ali; Maki Yalleman; and Tijjani Zakariya.
Following the unanimous approval of a resolution introduced by Kolapo Osunsanya, the lawmaker representing Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency in Ogun State, the House observed a minute of silence in memory of Diya.
Moving the motion, Osunsanya partly said, “We lost another gallant soldier and elder statesman from my federal constituency, the late General Oladipo Diya.
“General Diya was a military general and a lawyer, born on 3rd April, 1944, in Ogun State. The General was a seasoned administrator and patriotic officer and nationalist and elder statesman who served this nation selflessly and diligently. He was part of the gallant soldiers who fought during the Nigerian civil war.
“He played a significant and stabilising role during the most turbulent period in our nation’s history in the aftermath of June 12, 1993 (presidential election). He will be remembered for his patriotism and service to the nation. His demise is a great loss to the family, Ogun and the entire nation.”
The lawmakers agreed to the motion’s requests, urging the “government to immortalize the former Chief of General Staff” and deciding to dispatch a delegation to Diya’s home to comfort the family.
The House delegation’s members were listed by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, at the request of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who then recited the names aloud.
In 1994, Diya was named vice chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council after being named chief of general staff in 1993. He served as CGS under Abacha from 1994 until 1999 and was the de facto vice president of Nigeria.