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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the death of Nigeria’s renowned diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Joy Ogwu, who passed away at the age of 79.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the late Ogwu as a “trailblazer who elevated Nigeria’s presence on the world stage through her brilliance, integrity, and dedication to service.”
Tinubu recalled that the late scholar-diplomat held several key national and international positions, including serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and later as Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York from May 2008 to May 2017.
Before her tenure at the UN, she was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she contributed significantly to shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy and advancing international relations scholarship.
President Tinubu lauded Ogwu’s remarkable diplomatic career, noting that she twice presided over the UN Security Council in July 2010 and October 2011, where she championed causes such as global peace, nuclear disarmament, international security, and the promotion of women’s rights.
“Professor Joy Ogwu was a remarkable public servant who projected Nigeria’s voice with clarity, purpose, and dignity. She rose through excellence and hard work, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and service that continues to inspire,” the President said.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, including her five children, grandchildren, and siblings, as well as members of Nigeria’s diplomatic and academic communities.
He prayed that God grants them the strength to bear the loss and repose the soul of the late diplomat, whose life, he said, was “an enduring example of patriotism and distinction in public service.”
