Ex-Foreign Minister, Gbenga Ashiru Dies Of Brain Tumour

NIGERIA'S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, OLUGBENGA ASHIRU
NIGERIA’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, OLUGBENGA ASHIRU

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru has died after a long battle with illness.

Family sources told TheCable that diplomat had been battling with brain tumour for some time now. He died at a South African hospital at the age of 66.

Ashiru has acted as Nigeria’s envoy in several countries such as South Africa, Korea, Central African Republic and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

As Pioneer Under Secretary (Regional and International Organisations), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador O. A. Ashiru had the privilege to handle the following national assignments: the responsibilities of managing the Bilateral Relations between Nigeria and all the countries with which Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and the Americas Regions of the world; Handled issues such as plea for Debt Relief/Cancellation from our Creditor Nations; Plea for Repatriation of stolen funds; Attracting Foreign Investments into Nigeria; Good political image for Nigeria abroad and sustaining cordial Diplomatic Relations between Nigeria and all countries in those Regions of the world; Managing relations with the United Nations Organisations as well as all the Specialised Agencies of the United Nations; Defending and articulating all issues of importance to Nigeria and the rest of Africa in the United Nations e.g. problems of under-development, poverty alleviation, fighting HIV and AIDs, Human Rights issues, Finance and Development, etc. Ashiru was also in charge of managing and arranging all Presidential or Heads of Government State and official visits (Incoming and Outgoing).

A native of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Ahiru is survived by wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Omokehinde Adebola Ashiru and four children.

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