Buhari, Lalong, Others Mourn Dogonyaro At 80

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, as a great loss to the Nigerian military and the country as a whole because of his patriotic sacrifices.

Dogonyaro’s son, Joseph, said his father had been sick for some time until yesterday when he succumbed to a stroke.

Joseph stated: “We rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention. Around 3.00 a.m. yesterday,  where he breathed his last.”

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated yesterday: “The death of Dogonyaro comes as a great shock to me because, as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country.”

Buhari extended his condolences to the government and people of Plateau State on the passing of “this legendary general.”

SIMILARLY, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau said he received, with a deep sense of sorrow, the passing on of his elder brother, former boss and senior colleague, Dogonyaro.

According to a statement he personally signed yesterday, the late Dogonyaro was a brave, distinguished and accomplished officer whose military career was of first-class ranking by all standards.

“He rose to the peak of his military career, serving as CDS and as a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) in the course of his career and service to the nation and humanity.”

Also, Senator Nora Dadu’ut (Plateau South) has joined mourners of the former CDS, saying the country has lost a statesman.

Dadu’ut, in a statement yesterday, described the late General as a patriotic and loyal Nigerian who served his nation with courage, dignity and selflessness.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has also mourned the passing of erstwhile Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd), who died at the age of 80 years yesterday.

George said: “His death comes as a rude shock to us as a family. We are going to miss his love and warmth as a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and supporter.”

Dongoyaro also served as Minister of Defence in the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime.

In a tribute yesterday, George said: “The passage of Dongoyaro has indeed robbed Nigeria of a patriot, a soldier and an administrator. I met him when I served as the Governor of the old Ondo State where I benefited greatly from his guidance and well-hewn experience as he commanded the Second Mechanised Division based in Ibadan.”

Born in Vom, Plateau State, Dongoyaro who was reportedly a member of the Langtang mafia, was steadfast to his faith.