President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commiserated with the families, government and people of Abia, Delta and Rivers States on the deaths of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Nikki Tobi; and a literary icon, Elechi Amadi.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said he received with profound sadness, the death of Maduekwe, who also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada.
“In all his years of service to Nigeria as a diplomat, minister, politician and ambassador, President Buhari says that Maduekwe was an ardent believer in the unity of Nigeria and gave all to that pursuit,” the statement said.
The President also noted that as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Maduekwe’s relentless call to citizen diplomacy and for Nigerians to be treated with dignity across the globe would continue to inspire other patriotic people to promote a positive international image of the country.
The President also joined the literary and academic community in mourning Amadi whose writings and postulations as a novelist, poet and playwright, he said, introduced many generations of the world to the vibrant Nigerian culture.
The statement added, “In paying homage to the Man of Letters, visionary and venerated elder who dedicated his life to values of peace, equality, dignity and the reading culture in Nigeria, the President believes that the passing away of Amadi is as much a loss to Nigeria and Africa as it is to the world.
“The President affirms that the outpouring of grief and tribute across Nigeria and beyond is a testament of the high degree of respect and acceptance Amadi commanded around the world.
“He prays that God will grant the souls of the departed citizens eternal rest and comfort their families, friends and admirers.”
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