What Many Don’t Know About OLADIPO DIYA

• City People Reveals The Story Of His Life

The final burial of Lieutenant General Oladipo Donaldson Diya took place in Lagos and Odogbolu last week. It was a week long affair. His story is very impressive. He was born at Odogbolu, Ogun State on 3rd April, 1944 to the Late High Chief Micheal Oyetola Diya and late Chief (Mrs.) Racheal Tanimowo Diya. His parents moved to Lagos in 1946 and enrolled young Oladipo in Yaba Methodist School in January 1949 for his primary education. He completed his primary education in December 1956.

He attended Odogbolu Grammar School from 1957 to 1962 where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in December, 1962. He started his military career when he gained admission to Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna in December, 1963 by direct entry. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in March 1967. After commissioning, he was posted to 6th Battalion, Ikeja where he served until the beginning of the Nigerian Civil War. He fought for Nigeria as a 2nd Lieutenant during the war, was a Platoon Commander in the liberation of Bonny and the Commanding Officer, 6th Battalion till the end of the War in 1970.

From 1974 to 1978, he was Deputy Adjutant General, Nigerian Army; Staff Officer at the Command and Staff College Jaji, and Commanding Officer 29 Battalion, Jaji. In 1979 he was Commander, Nigerian Contingent of the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

He was appointed Military Governor of Ogun State in January, 1984. In August 1985, he became a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) and he was appointed Commandant National War College. In 1993 he became Chief of Defence Staff; and the same year he was appointed Chief of General Staff and Vice-Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) that is Military Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigera. In addition to the success he achieved in his military career, General Diya took time off to study Law at both the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello Univerity Zaria. After earning the Bachelor of Law Degree, he went to the Nigerian Law School where he was called to the bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In 1996, General Diya obtained a Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Also in 1977 he bagged another LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from the Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Lt. General Diya, was a practicing Lawyer, and Chairman of some companies, which includes Goldvision Publications, Publishers of the federation weekly reports and other law journals. The only title Lt. General Diya accepted was the ASIWAJU OF ODOGBOLU. His hobbies included squash, listening to music especially classical and Nigerian old tunes. He was an active footballer in his student days. Lt. General Diya was married with children and grandchildren.

Below is his story, as told by his family.

“Daddy was very big on family. For him it was always family first. He loved his wives (Mrs. Josephine Onoimiuko Diya and Late Mrs. Deborah Folashade Diya) and his children even more. For him, family first was not just in his words- he lived it. All we ever knew as kids was Daddy is in the army. From Oyesinmilola, the first born of the family, recollecting Daddy going to war or for peace keeping missions, to Babatunde, the last born of the family, seeing Daddy in his uniform most mornings before he went to school. Being a military officer during the years when we were all growing up, Daddy understood the importance of stability and consistency for children. With great sacrifice, he made the decision, not to always move his family everywhere work took him, but to keep them in Lagos permanently through their growing years. It was only when it became absolutely necessary for us to go to school outside Lagos that we left home as Lagos was home to all of us. In spite of his military career, Daddy was very present in the lives of each of his children. He knew each of them, their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Who can forget how in the days of the Seven Up Daewoo racer bonanza, how Daddy bought crates and crates of Seven Up and cheered the children on as they opened and drank bottle after bottle in the hope of winning the Daewoo Racer Star Prize and even though they never got a winning crown and were disappointed. He surprised us one day as we came home from school one day to find a brand new Daewoo racer car in the compound!!! Or the days when we would wake up on a school day and daddy would declare “no school today!” and he would take us on a road trip to his farm! Going to the farm was a good reward for achieving the goals he had set for us. This was far more exciting for us than anything else because it meant that we had to spend the whole day with him.

The wonderful moments at “happy hour” when we enjoy conversations and refreshments that were endless because it was a treat that only happened few times per month and sometimes per quarter because of his busy schedule. This was a testament to his unwavering love for us. We his sons all look like him at different stages in his life, it’s like watching a movie from beginning to the end and seeing the person evolve from scene to scene. We the girls loved to call him a “Girl Dad” because whilst he understood the place of tradition, he did not place emphasis or differentiate between the male and female children. Daddy took time to consistently encourage Bolanle as the “brain of the family”, he would write loving letters to her and have in-depth conversations with Yemisi. He was always eager to see Oyinkan because she was his gisting partner and poured strength and resilience into Kemi as the Iya Egbe/Super K. Daddy gave pet names to all his children and he had a fond name for each of them, particularly his daughters. He praised them and eulogized their strengths and advised them on their weaknesses. He was strict, disciplined, and firm, yet loving and doting at the same time.

We all cannot forget the joy we felt each time Daddy came back from work, his duty post or travelling! It was a race to see who could remove his shoes, socks and jacket. And then we would pick his hair and start removing the tiny greys except his signature grey patch at the front of his head. When Daddy wants something, you better fall in line or become the subject of his jokes. We all laughed so hard when he forced Tunde to join the church choir when he could not even sing! Who can forget how he always look forward to having the children and grandchildren come over to spend time with him and to swim at GRA and in Odogbolu consistently. His eyes always lit up each time he saw them, and he would move “mountains” to make sure they were comfortable, and everything was in good working condition. His grandchildren, all 18 of them (and till counting) doted on him as he doted on them. They were Daddy’s joy. It is on record that it was only Daddy’s grandchildren who could issue commands to him, and he would obey without batting an eyelid. That is saying something for a retired Lieutenant General. They always looked forward to playing the crab game with him and eating with him. They all fondly remember driving in convoys to spend Christmas in Odogbolu with him. It was only Daddy’s grandchildren who were always allowed in the same car with him on the road trip. They giggled as they bundled themselves in the backseat and played and laughed all the way from Lagos to Odogbolu every Christmas.

Daddy had lovely wives who loved him dearly, he trusted them to keep the homefront while work took him around the country and the world. They always accompanied Daddy on his social outings together always beautifully and identically dressed. Mummy and Late Mumsy were the true definition of committed and loving wives. His ordeal in 1997 shook them, but they stood strong together praying and trusting God for his return. It was beautiful to watch. With his extended family, Daddy’s house was home to all. It was opened to everyone in the wider family, he was a great Diya son and always extended a hand of love and an open heart to his siblings and other relations. He was their problem solver, chief supporter and source of strength.

Daddy Lived and led by example, putting his family and the interests of everyone around him first. The number of family members who passed through his house cannot be counted. He was father to all. He was loving and caring to all. He lived for his family and was grateful for a second opportunity in 1999 to spend peaceful time in retirement with his family.

His hobbies included squash, listening to music especially classical and Nigerian old tunes. He was an active footballer in his student days.

HIS LOVE FOR EDUCATION.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” MalcomX

Malcolm X spoke Diya’s mind.

Daddy moved to Lagos with his parents and was enrolled in Yaba Methodist School in January 1949 for his primary education. From his early years, it was apparent that he was born a leader. The aura of his qualities were evident when he joined Odogbolu Grammar School as part of the pioneer students and he was made the first Labour Prefect of the school. As a young man, he so loved education that he taught briefly at Bode Thomas Memorial College in Bariga, immediately after his secondary education. Diya, a lover of education, was himself a Lifelong learner. His unwavering belief in the benefits of tertiary development, higher learning and interest in professional courses with an added flair for vocational training fueled his uncompromising stance on education.

At the time he enrolled at the Nigeria Defence Academy in 1964, he was already burning with his passion to study law. This passion never left him until years later at the age of 43 and as a Brigadier General, a General Officer Commanding 82nd Division, Enugu and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (Highest ruling body in the country) approaching the peak of his military career, he took the bold, audacious and phenomenal step to enroll and study law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and subsequently transferring to and graduating from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a law degree in 1991 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December, 1992 as a Barrister at Law (BL) with Honors. He was also conferred with honorary degree – (Honoris Causa, LL. D.) from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1996 and with Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa, D.Litt.) from the then Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State in 1997. He never joked with education. He imbibed this in his children, family, relatives, wards, and all that were under him, the value and importance of education.

With his children, at the end of each school term, he would meticulously study the end of term report of each. The reports had to be excellent otherwise, there would be extensive explanation. Below satisfactory performance in school examinations attracted serious repercussions with him. His “Mr Do Good” was always at hand to set any child straight. He believed in corporal punishment and his orientation of “spare the rod and spoil the child.” His children had a song for his “Mr. Do Good” cane which they all sang with glee but obviously cried when the first stroke landed. The song goes: “Mr. Do Good, yes. If I am not good, yes. Teach me to be good, yes. Then I will be good, yes”.

He was a firm believer that no child is born dull, and he refused to condone any child, sibling, family member or ward that spurned university education. He gave no such child or ward any right of audience with him. He preached and practiced this to the very end. To the glory of God, of Diya’s children: •three are lawyers qualified and practicing in Nigeria, England & Wales; •three are medical doctors qualified and practicing in Nigeria and England); •one chartered accountant; •one HR professional; •one graduate of marketing; and •one energy, oil & gas management graduate.

In his church and community, Diya offered scholarships to anyone who gained admission to any higher school of learning. He declared openly that he would be willing and ready to support any church member, through The Oladipo Diya Education Foundation, who finished undergraduate studies with a First-Class Distinction, to any school abroad for master’s degree and anyone that graduated with Second Class Upper Division to any University in Nigeria for Masters. His love for education touched even those who are not related to him. In his lifetime, he sponsored his domestic staff including maids, cooks, drivers, stewards, amongst others to study several courses including medicine, engineering, law and accountancy.

To further realize his vision to make ‘Tertiary Education’ accessible to all, he set up “The Oladipo Diya Education Foundation” in 1999 and got it incorporated as a charitable not-for- profit organization, to formalize and consolidate all his efforts for indigent students, widows, orphans, family and church members. The foundation is accessible to all students who gained admission to higher institutions, without sponsors or visible means, to support their education. The foundation consistently placed advertisements in national dailies for eligible candidates who gained admission into any Nigerian school of higher learning without any visible means to pursue the admission to apply. The Oladipo Diya Education Foundation has been very successful as it has sponsored many students to higher institutions of learning.

For his alma mater- Odogbolu Grammar School, he consistently carried out refurbishments and upgrading measures of the school’s facilities to ensure that the students have a conducive learning environment and ambience. Beyond the classroom, Diya in 2014, set up “The General Oladipo Diya Public Speaking Competition” (GODPSC) with the approval of the Ogun State Government under the administration of the then Executive Governor- His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The public speaking competition was an annual event and ran for several years.

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

Diya’s quest for the peace and progress of Odogbolu led him to provide the leadership needed to resolve the Obaship tussle which rocked the town in 1984/85. At the time, three different monarchs claimed first class status in Odogbolu- the then -Moloda, Oremadegun and Elesi. Asiwaju’s wisdom led to the peaceful resolution of the matter such that a first-class monarch was created and adopted- the Alaye of Odogbolu land, while the traditional ruling houses of the other monarch would rotate the ascendancy to the throne of the Alaye. The peace that returned to Odogbolu land, remains till this day.

Later on, being the man that he was, Diya was offered many chieftaincy titles across the country, however  the only one he accepted was the Asiwaju of Odogbolu Land. This he humbly accepted in 1995. “Asiwaju” as he was known to his people, was a pillar of great strength in his community and was consumed with service to his people. He instituted the Oladipo Diya Public Speaking Competition which is held in Odogbolu on the 2nd Saturday in December every year and coincided with the annual Odogbolu Day Celebration.

Today this annual event has become an iconic academic and cultural event in Odogbolu land. Asiwaju also donated a state-of-the-art e-library, under the auspices of OCDC, to Odogbolu Town.

Asiwaju also played his part as a member of the Odogbolu Community Development Council (OCDC) Some of the projects he was involved in include the fundraising for the construction of the palace of the Alaye of Odogbolu land, and the construction of the Odogbolu Town Hall.

SERVICE TO OGUN STATE

In January 1984, then still a Colonel, he was appointed as the Military Governor of Ogun State by the then Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari.where he’brought discipline, prudence,” and sternness to bear in governance. Diya was excellent, rugged; seasoned,  firm and’ above all, resolute to succeed. He set for himself targets to achieve and he did achieve them. He’ stopped late night parties, and extravagant social lifestyle. He also  introduced entertainment fees. These were quite revolutionary, innovative, arid income generating. This policies have been sustained in Ogun State till today. He maintained discipline and orderliness in the public life of people of the state in the just one year and eight months that he was in the saddle as Military Governor. On the economic front, the state’s resources were prudently managed; Diya proscribed frivolous government expenditure and denied government officials, personal comfort service to the people took precedence.

It was to Diya’s credit that the Ogun State Properties Investment Corporation (OPIC) was established. What he envisioned in 1984,39 years ago, that Ogun State could provide residence for workers in Lagos State as well as an industrial estate for many industries has come to fruition today. The idea wasn’t just conceived by Col. Diya then, but he provided the enabling environment and infrastructural foundation and, established the corporation that still exists today. The outstanding achievements of OPIC cannot be over emphasised.

SERVICE TO GOD

Diya’s father- late High Chief Michael Oyetola Diya worshipped at the Yaba Methodist Church in Lagos and Odogbolu Methodist Church, Ogun State. Diya was born in 1944 and in 1946, High Chief M.O Diya completed his house at 4, Saka Lane, Abule-Ijesha, Yaba and moved his young family including Diya who was then a toddler to the newly discovered but enclosed settlement of Abule-Ijesha to live. To save the christian settlers from trekking long distances to worship on Sundays, Chief M O Diya and a few others met and decided to establish the first Church in Abule-Ijesha. This was in 1946. As the church grew, it got affiliated in 1948, with the United African Methodist Church Organisation  (Eleja) which broke away from Methodist Church in 1917. High Chief M O Diya, Diya’s father was the acting president and Otun Baba Ijo of the Church until he died in 1983. This was the legacy, bequeathed by High Chief M.O Diya to his children.

Diya was baptized and confirmed as a communicant in the Church in his childhood and teenage years, respectively. As a youngster, he was a member of the Church choir. As he grew, he continued to assume greater responsibilities in the Church, and he remained loyal, dependable, and faithful to the Church and the service of God through the Church. With his family, he attended Church regularly and dutifully except when he was away from home on official assignment. Every Sunday evening, Diya would review devotional notes with his family He was so devoted that he never attended functions on or around Sundays which might prevent him from worshipping at the Church.

In 1984, Diya was installed as the Baba Ijo of the Church. This installation coincided with his appointment as Military Governor ofOgun State and this made him the rallying point and authority in the Church. The growth and development of the Church became a personal agenda to him. He immediately spearheaded a number of initiatives some of which included: •Raising the Church building to a modem befitting structure, which earned the Church the status of a circuit under the Eleja Organisation and entitled the Church to a Presbyter or Venerable as a Circuit Head. •A Church Hall was built with conference rooms, offices, and living quarters. •He started giving out monthly allowances to all widows, aged, and elders in the Church, never missing any single month. •He awarded scholarships to youths in the Church who gained admission into tertiary institutions for any course.

• He proclaimed fully funded scholarships to any youths in the Church for Post Graduate Studies in any part of the world provided it is for a professional course. •He donated huge financial resources for the empowerment of small-scale businesses across all branches under his church organisation.

In 2004, he was ordained into the biblical position of an “Elder” in the Church. This encouraged him to do even more for the Church in service to God. In 2006 he championed the cause to get the Church, incorporated and registered with trustees under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- as the United African Methodist (Evangelical) Church Inc. with objectives to “Go into the world, and proclaim the Good news”, to spread evangelism, to set up branches for the Church, and to make Christ the Cornerstone of human existence. With the registration of the Church, Diya then became the Chairman of the Board of Incorporated Trustees of the Church. In 2009, he was appointed as the Church’s Grand Patron, being the Baba Ijo of the headquarters, and Elder (Chief) Mrs M. K. Komolafe, Iya Ijo of the headquarters, as Grand Matron. Diya also got some of his good friends and allies to be Patrons and Matrons in the Church including – Senator Anthony Adefuye, Hon. (Chief) Mrs NikeAkande, CON, Dr (Mrs) C.O. Adebajo, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, Asiwaju Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, OON and Chief Tunde Afolabi, MFR. Diya continued in his great work for the Lord and in 2013, he supervised the re-building of the Church into a Cathedral, befitting the status of a Headquarter of an Organisation- this meant the Church was now entitled to a Bishop. The Cathedral dedication was held on 6th of April in 2013 under the leadership of His Grace, The Most Reverend Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, Primate of the African Church & The Proprietor of the African Church Institutions. Now a Cathedral, Diya was giving the title of a Cathedral Father. With all these responsibilities, Diya remained consistent, determined, firm and resolute in his administration of the Church. As the Baba Ijo of the Cathedral and Chairman of the Churches under the Organisation, he was also  the pioneering co-founder of the apex Church society in the Church – Men Christian Helpers Association. He was Grand Patron to many societies in and outside the Church. He introduced to the Church the requirement for each Society to have a solemn hymn as its anthem.

He initiated the review and enactment of a detailed Church Constitution in 2018 to ease administration in the organisation of the Church. Due to Diya’s philanthropic gestures, effectual administration, pioneering role, dogmatic principles and able leadership, he was installed as the National President of The ‘African Lads Brigade & The African Lasses Brigade, Nigeria and Benin Republic in 2017, a position previously held by the former CBN Governor, Late Chief Ola Vincent. Little wonder then, that the Abule-Ijesha Church, United African Methodist (Evangelical) Church Inc., in conjunction with The African Lads and The African Lasses Brigade of Nigeria and Benin Republic, deservedly decide to celebrate this Icon, great devout, a colossus Head/Chairman/President of their respective organisation (Baba Ijo, Cathedral Father, Grand Patron, Chairman, both of the Incorporated Trustees and Annual Conferences of the Church, and National President of the African Brigade Movement) on Tuesday 25th of July, 2023 by having an afternoon funfair procession round Abule-Ijesha Town, and thereafter in the evening of a Farewell & Praise Worship Service in the Auditorium of the Church in Abule-Ijesha.

• A commendation of Diya’s service to God would not be complete without mentioning his efforts in his hometown of Odogbolu, Ogun State. When Oladipo Diya gained admission into Odogbolu Grammar School in 1957, he stayed with his maternal grandparents, who worshipped at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Odogbolu. He became a member of the Church and was in the Church Brigade and Choir. As an adult, St. Paul Anglican Church, Odogbolu, became his church anytime he was in Odogbolu. He worshipped there, paid all dues, and observed all conventions of the Church. Every year without fail, he and his entire family celebrated Christmas at St. Paul Anglican Church, Odogbolu. He was a staunch member of one of the frontline societies in the Church, the Fountain of Hope (Couples Society). He was decorated as the President of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade of the Church in 2019. He donated a massive hall to the Church, in memory of his mother, the Late Madam Rachael Tanimowo Diya, in 2018. Interestingly in 2015, he had earlier donated a Hall to Odogbolu Methodist Church in memory of his father, the Late High Chief Michael Oyetola Diya. Throughout his life, the Churches of both his father and his mother remained in his consciousness and he created memorabilia for his parents in both churches.

In his personal life, he set up altars to God, in both his Lagos residence and country home in Odogbolu. He initiated daily morning devotions in his house, where the word of God is taught and preached. He drew up a roaster on who would anchor devotion time – songs, texts, short sermons, prayers etc in his house. All who resided with him, permanently or visiting, were mandated to join the daily morning devotions and be involved. as he was concerned about everyone’s spiritual growth. Diya was a strong believer in the Church as a springboard for spiritual development. He was an ardent follower of God’s injunctions as laid down in the Bible.

He served God from the depth of his heart, and with all that was within him, his substance, his resources, and his wealth. He had great faith in God. He never failed to acknowledge Him, even on his last moments. He was an inspiring soul.

DIYA AS A LAWYER

Amongst the many feathers in his cap, Diya was a lawyer- he studied, practiced and loved the law. His dream to become one of the learned, was so compelling that he pursued the study of law even though he had become a high-ranking military officer. He was undeterred by the thought of having to go “back to school” to study. In 1987, he was admitted to study law at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka while he was serving as the then General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82nd Division, Enugu, and a Brigadier General. He later moved to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria when he was transferred to Jos as the GOC,3rd Armored Division, Jos and from where he graduated in 1991. He then proceeded to Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos., where he faced the stringent attendance requirements of the Nigerian Law School.

Fortunately for Diya, he was transferred to Lagos State, to serve as the Commandant of the National War College and was promoted to the rank of a Major General, this afforded him the opportunity to attend all the required classes as mandated by the Nigerian Law School. As a student at the Nigerian Law School, Diya humbled himself amongst other students and saw himself as their contemporary. He threw the doors of his official residence at Macpherson Road, Ikoyi, wide open to his fellow students pressed for accommodation to stay and live in and as a venue for tutorial classes and exams during examination period.

In December 1992, Diya was called to the Nigerian Legal Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, together with his son, Oyesinminlola Diya. Diya’s practice of the law started in April 1994 with the firm of Oladipo Diya & Co with four partners including himself as a named but silent partner with offices at No. 75, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos. The firm quickly achieved prominence with clients in the private and public sector. Although the Firm suffered a setback on account of the allegation of a coup plot against Diya in 1997 and temporarily closed office to focus on defending its Principal Partner, it re-opened its doors to its clients in April 1999 in a make shift offices in Ikeja, pending the construction of purpose-built offices in Ikoyi, Lagos. Diya had a fine and excellent disposition as a lawyer, he was thorough and meticulous in reviewing cases. Though he never formally appeared in any courtroom as he was wary of any misconstruction of his stature. He always relished instances when he had to put on his full robe as a Legal Practitioner.

Diya was never satisfied with doing the bare minimum, he always wanted to go the road less travelled and, in this instance, wanted to make his mark on the legal industry. He chose to do this through legal publication. Diya partnered with Mr Taiwo Kupolati (now a learned silk) to co-publish the popular Federation Weekly Law Report (FWLR) under the aegis of New Century Law Publication Limited with offices then at No.2, Oba-nle Aro Crescent, Ilupeju, Lagos. and the printing Press at General Diya, Aries Printing Press, then at Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. The law report became a veritable legal resource and was cited by all leading members of the bar and bench throughout the many years it was in circulation.

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