Abuja – Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), said the late Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, worked hard to project the nation’s positive image abroad.
Akinterinwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that the late ambassador was a workaholic who had contributed to building a new Nigeria.
NAN reports that Adefuye died at a U.S. hospital on Aug. 27 at the age of 67.
Akinterinwa particularly commended the late envoy for his patriotic role in the planned contentious listing of Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation.
“He did well by carrying the Nigerian culture to America where he was formerly Nigeria’s Principal Representative.
“He returned and still carried it on in his capacity as a major Political Adviser and Deputy Head in the Commonwealth. So I think he has paid his own price.
“He has contributed his own quota to the rebuilding of a new Nigeria. This is why I think that his passing on is really most unfortunate.
“Adefuye made all efforts not only to project Nigeria’s culture internationally but ensured that the person of the Nigerian is well-protected.
“This, he did, by ensuring that Boko Haram is not listed as a terrorist organisation.
“The implication of which includes that Nigerians would be searched, would be considered as people associated with terrorism and therefore, must be specially checked, monitored anywhere we go.”
The NIIA boss said that Adefuye, who had been Nigeria’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2010, died few weeks after completing his official assignment on Aug. 5.
“Adefuye completed his assignment officially on Aug. 5. This is the time he is supposed to come home and at least for once, have time to rest.
“Now he’s supposed to come home, he’s supposed to be de-briefed, he’s supposed to apply to become a Professor emeritus and then be bringing his empirical knowledge to bear in the universities.
“But look at it now, he’s dead. In between Aug. 6 and Aug. 28, meaning two weeks after official conclusion of his mission, he died.
“I only hope that government would reckon with the fact that illustrious sons and daughters, wherever they may be, need to be appreciated.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“And we need not wait until people die before you begin to sing their praises; they should be appreciated,” he said.
Akinterinwa said that the late Adefuye’s work among the academic, could not be over-emphasised.
“Adefuye was a core academic. His post-academic activities in the diplomatic arena are such that he reflected objectivity of purpose that characterised his research.” (NAN)
