African Integrity Magazine – Nigerians Eulogize Departed Diplomat Extraordinaire

Nigerians Eulogize Departed Diplomat Extraordinaire

Jan 18, 2016 Samuel Icon 0

Professor AdebowaleIbidapoAdefuye was Nigerian’s Ambassador/Head of Mission of Embassy, to the United States of America, U.S.A. from 2010 until his death on 27th August 2015. His last public function as Ambassador was in July 2015, during the three day visit of President MuhammaduBuhari to the United States. The Success of the Presidential visit speaks volumes of how Ambassador Adefuye’s skills as a diplomat has helped rekindled the cold relationship between Nigeria and the U.S.A. Glowing tributes to this man of integrity have come from eminent Nigerians cutting across the academia, commonwealth secretariat, Presidency, the Senate, past and serving Ambassadors; past and serving Governors, and the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.

In a tribute, the Senate President AbubakarBukolaSaraki, noted that Professor Ambassador Adefuye was an International defender who died while rendering exemplary service to his fatherland, adding that he fought a good fight and acquainted himself valiantly. Chief EmekaAnyaoku, Commonwealth Secretary-General (1990-2000) described AdebowaleAdefuye as an accomplished scholar and diplomat that brought intellect and panache to Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad.

Ambassador J. D. O. Sokoya said that Adefuye was a dependable colleague both as a student in the then University College Ibadan, and as a Career Ambassador. He recalled that when Prof. Adefuye came to the Nigeria High Commission, Jamaica in 1974 as a non-career Ambassador, he worked hard to cement the cordial relations between Nigeria and Jamaica; pointing out that Adefuye was energetic, patriotic and a truly devoted public servant.

While Professor Oyewusi, a former Vice Chancellor University of Lagos (UNILAG), described Ambassador Adefuye as an outstanding academic, resourceful diplomat and committed Patriot who will be remembered for his outstanding scholarship, genuine humility, fierce patriotism and long-standing relationship. Senator Ike O. S. Nwachukwu, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs described Ambassador Adefuye as a consummate diplomat, a very effective staff, a leader and a good friend who was at a point in time one of the most popular diplomats in the Caribbean.

Governor IbikunleAmosun of Ogun State of Nigeria described Professor Adefuye as a quintessential diplomat who was passionate about Nigeria and defended its interest throughout his distinguished career as a diplomat. He will long be remembered for successfully persuading the United States government to remove Nigeria from the COUNTRY OF INTEREST;” terrorism watch list after the Umar Farouk Abdulmuitallab bomb saga of December 2009, he noted.

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) says that by the death of Professor AdebowaleAdefuye, who the NACC described as Iconoclastic Ambassador, the chamber has lost an enduring partner who fully believed in our cause; stressing that Adefuye’s achievements have significantly improved business development in Nigeria by Americans and Diaspora Nigerians

HIS PROFILE:

Born on the 9th of January 1947 in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, late Prof. (Amb) AdebowaleIbidapoAdefuye had his primary school education in the ancient city of Ibadan at Saint James Primary School, Ekotedo. After this, he proceeded to Molusi College Ijebu-Igbo, where he had a smooth transition from Year 1 to HSE II, passing in flying colours.

On completion of his program in 1967, he gained admission into the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he graduated at the age of 22 and obtained his postgraduate degree in History from the same university in 1973.

Ade had an unusual appetite for learning and his good results fetched him a Fulbright scholarship, a program sponsored by the S.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Adewale had an academic career as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, heading the school’s History department from 1985 to 1987. His devotion to academics through lecturing and the authoring of scholarly books and articles, earned him his distinguished professorship of International Affairs at the university.

In 1987, he received his first diplomatic assignment as High Commissioner to Jamaica and served concurrently as Ambassador to Haiti and Belize until 1991. From 1991-1994, he served as the Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Prof. Adefuye was appointed as Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in 2010 and played remarkable roles in forging a better relationship between Nigeria and the United States in Trade, Health, Security, Agriculture, Power and other sectors of the economy. He persuaded the U.S. to remove his country from government’s “country of interest” terrorism watch lists following Abdul Mutallab’s case.

Some of his awards and recognition are as follows: Nigerian Dispora Diagnostic and Trauma Foundation, Distinguished Leadership Award 2015; NID Outstanding Community Service Award 2015, 2013; Dr. Martin Luther King Fr. Legacy Award for International Service 2014; Leadership Award from SilkeEndress 2014; Certificate of Excellence Valpraiso University for his Dedication to Promoting the Understanding of Traditional and Popular African Culture 2013; Arkansas Traveller Award 2013; Outstanding leadership and support to the Nigerian Diaspora from NIDOA – Atlanta chapter 2012; Certificate of Congressional Recognition 2012; Award of Distinction from the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce 2011 and Enugu Association USA Award, in recognition of Foreign Service contributions as Nigerian Ambassador to the United States 2010.

As a family man, Ade was extremely loving and hardworking. He married Adesola, his wife on October 25th 1975 and the union produced two daughters, Olubunmi and Tolulope, and a son, Babatunde.