Prominent Nigerians including the President Muhammadu Buhari have commiserated with the family of former Chief of Defence Staff, Joshua Dogonyaro, Mr Dogonyaro, a retired Lieutenant General from Plateau State died on Thursday at age 80. According to a family source the former general has been sick for some time until yesterday Thursday he had a stroke and was rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), he, unfortunately, passed on around 3.00 am. The source described his untimely death as a rude shock to the family, who will sorely miss him.
Apart from his ECOMOG assignment, late general Dogonyaro will be remembered as delivering the coup speech that announced the overthrowing of General Muhammadu Buhari and the ushering in of General Ibrahim Babangida on August 27, 1985.
Late General Dogonyaro 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 Strategic 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, Recce Training School, 1970-72; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, 1972-76; Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976-77.
He was also the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, N.A, Jos, 1985 to 1987; mm: Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, N.A, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993.
