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Late Gen. DIYA’s Daughter, YEMISI DIYA-SALAWU
Pretty and elegant looking Yemisi Diya-Salawu is one of the very beautiful daughters of the late iconic and gallant soldier, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya. He passed on a few months ago, March 26, 2023 precisely. The family held a Service of Songs and Night of Tributes in honour of their late dad on July 23, 2023. It was a well organised, well put together event. Yemisi along with her siblings and family and friends of Diya all paid glowing tributes to the man they all love and admire, a man whose exploits and close shave with death at the hands of his boss, Gen. Sanni Abacha, have inspired many to believe that, indeed, God would not forsake us in our hour of need.
In this brief but revealing interview with City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290), the very eloquent and unbelievably humble Yemisi Diya-Salawu shares with us some of the high moral values she picked up from her dad. She also revealed what will go down as her fondest memories of her father, a man she and her sisters have described as a ‘girl dad’, and whose love for them and their brothers they would always cherish for the rest of their days.
Clearly, one of the things your dad taught all of his kids while he was alive was the fear of God. What would you say are the three key things he also taught you that you hold so dear to your heart?
Number one is humility. My dad taught me humility. He taught me to be unwavering in humility to God, to people. However high or low the person is, always stay humble. The second thing that he taught us was integrity. Regardless of the temptation, regardless of where you are, maintain your integrity. The third thing was to continue to acquire knowledge. If you think you have arrived, just know that you’re just starting. Continue to acquire knowledge so that you will continue to grow. Whether it is in your profession, in your personal life, as a mum, as a Christian, whatever, continue to acquire knowledge. And there are many more but you asked me for only three, so I will stop there. Thank you very much.
What kept the family together during those difficult days of his trial? How was the family able to hold on together till his freedom came?
God. That is the only word that I can say. It was God that kept us together, nothing else. Prayers. The fear of God, upholding the fear of God, and just trusting God, and that was it.
Personally, as a lady, and someone who was very close to her dad, how traumatic were those moments for you?
Personally, it was very heartbreaking. And for the very first few months, it was very, very scary. And you know, as a child, seeing your dad in that situation, it just breeaks your heart. You know, knowing him, and trusting God, we found the strength to go on each day. Like I said, trusting God was the only thing that held us together and upheld our faith.
Were you with him during his last moments? Were you around at the time?
Yes, thank God for that. I am so, so grateful to God that I was able to be there, to hold his hand and just be there, I’m so grateful to God. Anybody could’ve missed it, but I am glad that I was there for him. When my brother, Folarin, called me that night, I rushed down from my house in Lekki to GRA, Ikeja, to be with him. So, I am grateful to God that I was opportune and blessed to have been there.
What were those last moments like for you?
Peace. Peace. Looking at his face, looking unto God, I felt peace.It hurt. It still hurts. But I felt peace on his face, going to meet his creator.
Your immediate reaction when he finally closed his eyes?
I wailed. I wailed from the bottom of my heart.But that wailing only lasted maximum 30 minutes and then I felt the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. So, I’m grateful to God for that.
Finally, before I let you go, share with us your fondest memory of your dad?
My dad was the best joker. He was the best ‘girl dad.’ He loved his girls, and all his children and grand children exceptionally well. So, I’m grateful for that.
