From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing of career diplomat, Ambassador Ejeviome Eloho Otobo, 70, saying his valued contribution in Nigeria-France Partnership Forum last year in Paris, will be missed in the second one coming up shortly.
Otobo, was found dead after being declared missing and was last seen in Tuckahoe, New York, on June 15.
The Tuckahoe police department on June 19 announced in a Facebook post that Otobo was missing and requested information from the public.
A few days after, the police announced that Otobo had been found dead and sent condolences to his family.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari condoled with the family of the diplomat, who served the country for many years, before working for the United Nations in various capacities, including non-resident senior fellow in Peacebuilding and Global Economic Policy at Global Governance Institute in Brussels, Belgium.
The President said he shares in the pain of loss with professional colleagues, particularly those who worked closely with him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United Nations, as well as Government and people of Delta State.
He noted the worthy representation of Nigeria by the career diplomat, who brought glory to the country with his expertise in repairing relations and reforming institutions, taking up some challenging responsibilities over the years like Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).
The President prayed for the repose of Otobo’s soul.
In a related development, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the death of Otobo in USA as very sad and painful.
In a condolence message, Dabiri-Erewa said the circumstances of Otobo’s sudden disappearance and eventual death was very disturbing and heartbreaking.
She called for independent investigation into the mysterious sudden disappearance of the Diplomat and his eventual death in USA.
In a statement by Head, Media and Public Relations, NIDCOM, Abuja, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa condoled with the family, friends and colleagues of the late diplomat and prayed for the repose of his soul.