President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Joshua Dogonyaro as “a great loss not only to the Nigerian military, but also to the country because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of its unity and territorial integrity.”
“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,” the President said.
As a thoroughbred soldier who had professionally distinguished himself in the course of his military career, the President notes that “laying down one’s life for the country is one of the greatest sacrifices any citizen can make to his country. General Dogonyaro’s incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come.”
President Buhari also extends deepest condolences to the Government and People of Plateau State on the passing of ‘‘this legendary general’’.
He prays Almighty God to bless the soul of the departed and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
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Joshua Dogonyaro died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, at the early hours of Thursday, after a brief illness.
”His remains have been deposited at the Airforce Hospital in Jos,” a family source said.
The late Dogonyaro was born in 1940 at Vom, Plateau State. He enlisted in the Army in 1964 and rose to become a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) in 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan in 1987.
He was also promoted to Major-General in 1988 and Lt. General. He was an ECOMOG Commander too and retired in 1993.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
