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Buhari, ex-U.S. envoy, Sanders, Nigerian in Diaspora mourn Adefuye

By John Okeke, Abuja
31 August 2015   |   5:12 am
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described the late Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Prof. Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, as a patriot whose contributions to the interest of Nigeria were considerable. Adefuye died last Thursday, August 27, 2015 in Washington DC. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba…
Adefuye.  Photo credit informationng

Adefuye. Photo credit informationng

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described the late Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Prof. Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, as a patriot whose contributions to the interest of Nigeria were considerable.

Adefuye died last Thursday, August 27, 2015 in Washington DC.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari said he was shocked by the death of the diplomat.

The President, who reportedly spoke on telephone on Saturday with the wife of the late envoy, recalled that the late envoy had contributed immensely to making his official engagement in the U.S. fruitful and successful.

He prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest in peace, and give his family the fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss of a noted public officer.

Also, former United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria and Chief Executive Officer of Food-security, Education, Environment-energy, Economics, Democracy-development and Self-help (FEEEDS) Advocacy Initiative, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders, has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States Ambassador Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, who died on August 27, 2015.

“It is with shock and sadness that I heard of the passing, particularly since I had communicated with him on the evening of August 26.  He was well respected throughout the United States, and particularly here in Washington D.C. for being a dynamic representative of his beloved nation,” Sanders noted.

Sanders said Adefuye was energetic and effective, and never relented on efforts to build long-lasting bridges to ensure a strong U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship.

“All of us who, work on African and Nigerian issues both here in the U.S. and in Nigeria are still reeling from his sudden passing. He was a savvy diplomat on both U.S.-Nigeria private sector and government-to-government issues.

“Americans considered him a friend of our nation, and as such, we, and myself in particular, send our heartfelt sympathies to his lovely wife and his children whom he loved deeply; to the entire Embassy members of staff; and, to the nation of Nigeria”, she further said.

Besides, a Nigerian in Diaspora has described Adefuye as a rare gem who served selflessly to broaden the relationship between Nigeria and U.S.

The founder, Global Connections For Women Foundation (GC4W) Chief Amina Temitope Ajayi, said Prof. Adefuye’s legacy has remained indelible, as he has reproduced his life of integrity in the lives of so many people, including her.

Ajayi, who is also known as Mama Diaspora, said the late Ambassador has affected her life positively.

She said: “Prof. Adefuye is my Daddy. I call him Daddy because there is nothing I do in Diaspora that he doesn’t support. If I say Daddy I am going to Nigeria and I am taking some corporate investors, he will support me. He became a professor at the age of 24. I was fortunate to have somebody like him. Even President Obama called him a pillar who helped to facilitate the robust relationship between Nigeria and U.S.

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