Former NFF Boss, Dominic Oneya Is Dead

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nation’s football enclave has been thrown into mourning. This follows the passing of former President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Retired Brigadier-General Dominic Obukadata Oneya.

He passed on Thursday evening.

Oneya, was a former  military Governor of Kano State from August 1996 to August 1998 during the  military regime of late General Sani Abacha.

During the emergence of General Abdusalami Abubakar as Head of State Oneya became the Military Administrator of Benue State from August 1998 to May 1999. He was the one who  handed over power to the elected civilian Governor, George Akume on 29 May 1999.

The death of Oneya was disclosed by Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Social Media.

Oneya was Governor of Kano State when the present Governor HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was Commissioner of Works and Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau was Permanent Secretary (AGS) at the time.

Born on 26 May 1948 in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos state, he hails from Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

Oneya attended the Baptist Academy, Yaba, Lagos (1962–1967), then enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in May 1969, earning a commission in the Infantry Corps in September 1971.

Oneya attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) (1977–1980), earning B.Sc degree in physical education.

He also attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna (1983–1984) and the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1987–1988).

Command positions during his military career include Adjutant of 31 Infantry Battalion (1971–1972), Instructor at 4 Division Training School (1972–1973) and Instructor at Nigerian Army Military Training College, Jaji (1975–1977).

As a Staff Officer from 1977 he served at Army Headquarters Lagos and in operations with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (1980–1981).

He was Commandant of the Nigerian Army Physical Training School, Zaria (1985–1987), Directing Staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji (1987–1989) and Directing Staff, Ghana Armed Forces College Teshe, Ghana (1989–1991).

He was appointed Commander, 82 Motorized Infantry Brigade, Kano (1993–1995), Commander, 16 Battalion, Nigerian ECOMOG Contingent in Liberia and then Director of administration, Training and Doctrine Command (1995-July 1996).

He retired from Military service on a rank of Brigadier General and he was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, now NFF  on 17th January 2000.

Oneya died on Thursday at his home in Effurun GRA, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State at the age of 73.