Former Nigeria minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru is dead. He died in a South African hospital yesterday after what family sources said “a protracted illness.”
Ashiru, who was a career diplomat was credited with re-energising Nigeria’s presence in international diplomacy in the post-Olusegun Obasanjo era.
The deceased has been described by President Goodluck Jonathan as
“the exemplary diplomat” who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
In a condolence message today, President Jonathan said that Ambassador Ashiru will be remembered and honoured as one of the few elites, who after a long and very distinguished career as a Foreign Service Officer in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was recalled from retirement to serve as Minister and political head of the same ministry in recognition of his widely acknowledged leadership qualities and diplomatic skills.
President Jonathan beleived that Nigeria will always owe the late Minister a huge debt of gratitude for his notable contributions, over many years, to the establishment of mutually-beneficial relationships with other countries where he served as diplomat and ambassador, and for the country’s many diplomatic successes in the international arena during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The President condoled with Ambassador Ashiru’s wife, children, other relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and staff of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the loss and assured them of the fullest sympathy, solidarity and support of the Federal Government as they mourn.
[myad]
