Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, General Dogonyaro, dies at 80

FORMER Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Joshua Dogonyaro, is dead. He was 80.

General Dogonyaro passed away at about 4am today at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, and his remains have been deposited at the Airforce Hospital, according to a family source.

Dogonyaro was famous for the cliche ‘fellow Nigerians’ during announcement of the coup that overthrew then Maj.-General Muhammadu Buhari and installed Ibrahim Babangida as military head of state on August 27, 1985.

A soldier, administrator; born on September 12, 1940; at Vom, Plateau State, he attended Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, 1964-67, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Armour Officers Course, USA, Armoured Car Troop Leaders Course, UK, Command and Staff College, Jaji, Defence Resources Management Course, USA, National Institute for Policy and Suategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

He enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964 and was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967. He became Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron,, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main 1969-70; Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, 1970-72; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, 1972-76; Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976-77.

He was also Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, 1977-79; Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, ‘A’ Branch, 1984-85, and Director of Armoury, 1985; General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Jos, 1985-87.

He was a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993; Passed Staff College (PSC); National Institute (mni): Forces Service Star (FSS).