The Late Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – Former Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep rtd, former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Jeremiah Useni have expressed sadness over the demise of the former Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, Lt. Gen Joshua Dogonyaro.
General Dogonyaro died in the early hours of Thursday in Jos, his son, Joseph confirmed.
The trio who mourned the passage of the former ECOMOG Commander said he was a professional who gave patriotic services not just to Nigeria but the West African sub-region and his wealth of experiences will surely be missed.
Air Marshal Wuyep, noted “Lt Gen J N Dogonyaro was a truly professional soldier who shall be remembered for his patriotic service to our great nation Nigeria and the West African Sub-region. May the Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen.”
Jang, a former Military officer added the deceased was a father and mentor to all military officers from his Plateau State and beyond while Useni, a retired Army General, another ‘Tarok Mafia’ stated, he was a courageous officer who made success in every operation he commanded.
According to Jang, “A colossus and a man of peace has gone home. I received with deep sense of sorrow, the passing of my elder brother, former boss and senior colleague, Lieutenant General Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro.
“The late Lt. General 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 the Chief of Defence staff and as a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) in the course of his career and service to the nation and humanity.”
As a senior Military Officer, Jang maintained, “His exploits in peacekeeping operations have left an indelible mark in the sands of time. As the Task Force Commander of a Peace-keeping force in Chad and later Commander of the ECOMOG in Liberia, the late Dogonyaro distinguished himself and displayed the professionalism for which the Nigerian Armed Forces is known.
“After retirement he continued to serve as a father and mentor to all military officers from his Plateau State and beyond, in addition to serving as a guide to those who joined politics, having risen to senior administrative positions in Nigeria, while in service.
“He was a very loyal, dedicated and committed Officer who spent his life in the service of Nigeria, Africa and as elder statesman to his people, the Taroh nation. He was an embodiment of humility, a devout Christian and a father to many.
“The late Lt. General Dogonyaro was an accomplished officer and experienced leader, whose enormous contributions to the development of his people, Plateau State and the nation at large will forever be cherished and remembered. He lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation and the vacuum he left behind will be difficult to fill.”
The former Governor while condoling the deceased family stressed, “On behalf of my family and all people of goodwill, particularly those of us who worked closely with him and benefitted from his magnanimity and fatherly love, I pray that the Almighty God will give the entire family, especially the immediate family, the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable, painful loss.
“He was indeed, a father, leader, mentor, support system and a peacemaker throughout his life. We will miss his love, care, wise counsel and the exemplary lifestyle which has remained a guiding light to many. Adieu brave soldier! Even in death, you stand tall as a beacon.”
To Useni, General Dogonyaro was “A rare, daring, intensely loyal and courageous officer who made success of every operation he commanded.”
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The deceased son, Joseph had said, “Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.
“Unfortunately, early this morning of Thursday, around 3.00am precisely, he breathed his last. 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.”
Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on September 12, 1940 in Vom, Jos South local government area of Plateau State. He is Tarok from Langtang North Local Government Area of the State, a former Minister of Defence in Late General Sani Abacha’s regime, he died at the age of 80.
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Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and the Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Nora Dadu’ut who expressed shock over the demise said a patriotic and loyal Nigerian has left the scene.
Lalong in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham said “Plateau State and the nation has lost a patriotic and loyal Nigerian who served with courage, dignity and selflessness. Plateau State has lost an elder statesman whose outstanding achievements in his military career brought a lot of pride and honour for the State. The commitment of the deceased towards the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as ensuring its peace and unity stood him out as a soldier of repute whose professionalism continues to inspire many younger ones.”
He recalled that “Gen. Dogonyaro never hesitated to offer Plateau State and the nation his wealth of experience and knowledge particularly towards tackling security challenges of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes.”
Meanwhile, Senator Dadu’ut who is representing the deceased zone added, “Nigeria has lost a statesman. With the death of General Dogonyaro the Nigerian army has lost a General; the nation has lost a statesman. The late elder statesman recorded outstanding achievements in the Military.”
While praying God to grant him eternal rest, comfort his family she stated his legacies would continue to be remembered.
