By Amaechi Agbo

The Nigeria football firmament was badly shaken on Thursday after news filtered in that a former Chairman of then Nigeria Football Association, Brigadier-General Dominic Obukadata Oneya (rtd) had died.
He was 73.

General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who broke the sad news, said he was devastated beyond words because he spoke to the revered former military chieftain on Wednesday – a matter of hours earlier.

“We spoke on Wednesday because I conveyed to him informationthat the NFF had appointed him as match commissioner for the men’s
AITEO Cup final coming up on Sunday in Benin City. He told me he would prefer to drive down to Benin from Warri on Sunday morning. He sounded healthy and full of life. May his soul rest in peace.”

Ebullient, avuncular, unclamorous, diligent, a lover of people and a stickler for excellence, Dominic Obukadata Oneya was born on 26th May 1948, and served as military administrator of Kano State between August 1996 and August 1998, when he was redeployed to Benue State in the same role, serving there until the return of democratic rule in May 1999.

Oneya then served as Chairman of then Nigeria Football Association (now Nigeria Football Federation) between January 2000 and October 2002, overseeing Nigeria’s silver –medal winning outing in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations that the country co-hosted with Ghana, a successful Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria’s bronze medal outing at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali and the Super Eagles’ outing at the FIFA World Cup finals in the Far East the same year.

“General Oneya was a gentleman to the core. Someone you can call at any time of day or night for advice and he would always oblige. His death is a huge loss to Nigeria Football,” Dr Sanusi added.

After leaving office as supremo of Nigeria Football, Brigadier-General Oneya served the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in various capacities, including as a Member of the highly influential Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Born on May 26, 1948, in Lagos, Oneya hails from Agbarho, Ughelli North LGA of Delta state.

He attended Baptist Academy, Yaba, Lagos from 1962 to 1967, and later enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in May 1969.

He was commissioned in the infantry corps in September 1971.
Oneya attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), from 1977 to 1980 where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

He also attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna from 1983 to 1984, and the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College from 1987 to 1988.

Oneya, who rose through the ranks, was an instructor at 4 Division Training School from 1972 to 1973, and an instructor at the Nigerian Army Military Training College, Jaji from 1975–1977.

As a staff officer from 1977, he served at then-army headquarters Lagos and in operations with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon from 1980 to 1981.

He was commandant of the Nigerian Army Physical Training School, Zaria from 1985 to 1987; directing staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji from 1987 to 1989; and directing staff, Ghana Armed Forces College Teshe, from 1989–1991.

Oneya, who retired as a brigadier general, was on January 17, 2000, appointed chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF).

The retired general died in his home in Effurun GRA, Uvwie LGA of Delta state on Thursday.