Four months after he passed on from a brief illness, the remains of General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the late former chief of general staff to the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Odogbolu, Ogun State penultimate weekend. There was a weeklong activity which culminated in a state burial. The activities commenced on Sunday, July 23, 2023, with a Service of Songs and Night of Tribute. This was followed by a commendation service at the United African Methodist Evangelical Church Cathedral in Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos.
Two days before the body of the deceased departed Odogbolu, there was a lying-in-state in his Lagos home at Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Ikeja GRA. At the second service of songs which took place in his country home in Odogbolu, many defied the downpour to pay homage to the Defacto vice president. All the security arms of the government were well represented. The weeklong activity climaxed with the final burial rites and interment on Saturday, July 29, 2023, where he was given a massive state burial after the funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Odogbolu. His body was committed to mother earth in a mausoleum specially built in his honour.
Beside the presence of high-ranking military officers in attendance, General Abdulsalami Abubakar ( retd.) was present at the event. Some others who made it to the church service were Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Others were Adenike Akande, Jide Fadairo, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Ogun government officials, federal lawmakers, former military administrators, and captains of industry.
Shortly after, a massive carnival-like reception took place at the open field of the state’s grammar school. While veteran comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Alibaba was the master of ceremony, Yinka Aiyefele was the choice musician who kept guests gyrating to his music. Before his appointment by Abacha, Diya was the military governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985. Diya is survived by his first wife, Josephine Diya, several children and numerous grandchildren.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
