Diya, A Great Nigerian – Hamzat 

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has described the Late Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya as a good and great Nigerian who loved and lived for his country.

The Deputy Governor stated this when he led the State Government delegation made up of the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi on a condolence visit to the family of the late former Chief of General Staff in GRA, Ikeja.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Hamzat charged the family not to be sad but thanked the Almighty God for the fulfilled life lived by the deceased, describing his life as a perfect example of somebody the Almighty God has shown mercy because not everyone is opportune to live a fulfilled life. He added the late Army General will be sorely missed, not only by his immediate family but by the nation in general.

He said, “We are here to pay a condolence visit to the family. We know that only God will live forever and that at our appointed time, everyone will go. We must thank God that our father lived a wonderful life. A life that is fulfilled, because it is not every life that is fulfilled. Like Yoruba people will say ‘Aanu ni won ri gba’, his life is a perfect example of somebody that has God’s mercy and so, we must thank God and not be sad”.

Hamzat further emphasised that the late Lt. Gen. Diya has been described by many as a very disciplined man, the type that is needed in government to be focused and determined to deliver on programmes and policies of the government.

While describing the deceased as a wonderful human being and congratulating the family for having the late Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya as a father, the Deputy Governor admonished the children to emulate their late father and sustain the family name as it is well-known across the country.

He further prayed that the Almighty God will sustain and help the family, particularly during this period, assuring them that they will not be alone and God will be with them always.

In the Condolence Register, Hamzat wrote: “A Great Nigerian has left us. We thank Almighty God for a life well lived. He loved his country and gave it all. May his soul rest in peace”.