[National] Jonathan Mourn Former Minister
Barely 24 hours after the death of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, was announced, President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his sadness over the unfortunate news.
Ashiru was reported to have died on Saturday in a South African hospital during a protracted illness.
According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan described the deceased as an exemplary diplomat who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
He said Nigeria would always owe the late minister a huge debt of gratitude for his notable contributions to the establishment of mutually-beneficial relationships with other countries.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with much sadness, news of the death of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday in South Africa.
“President Jonathan extends sincerest condolences to Ambassador Ashiru’s wife, children, other relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and staff of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they mourn the exemplary diplomat who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
“The President assures them all of the fullest sympathy,
solidarity and support of the Federal Government as they mourn
Ambassador Ashiru who will also be long remembered and honoured as one
of the very elite few, 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.
“Nigeria, President Jonathan believes, 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 prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Ambassador Ashiru and grant his gentle soul peaceful and eternal rest,” the statement read.
The late Ashiru was Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between from 2011 to 2013 before he was succeeded by Viola Onwuliri (acting) (2013–2014) and Aminu Bashir Wali (2014 till date).
NAIJ
Ashiru was reported to have died on Saturday in a South African hospital during a protracted illness.
According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan described the deceased as an exemplary diplomat who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
He said Nigeria would always owe the late minister a huge debt of gratitude for his notable contributions to the establishment of mutually-beneficial relationships with other countries.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with much sadness, news of the death of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday in South Africa.
“President Jonathan extends sincerest condolences to Ambassador Ashiru’s wife, children, other relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and staff of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they mourn the exemplary diplomat who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
Late Gbenga Ashiru.
“Nigeria, President Jonathan believes, 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 prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Ambassador Ashiru and grant his gentle soul peaceful and eternal rest,” the statement read.
The late Ashiru was Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between from 2011 to 2013 before he was succeeded by Viola Onwuliri (acting) (2013–2014) and Aminu Bashir Wali (2014 till date).
NAIJ
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