The President, Aare Bolu Omodele and the entire membership of Egbe Omo Yoruba, the National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America, are deeply saddened by the death of Ambassador Adewale Ibidapo Adefuye. We know we will all die but we are saddened because we will miss his immense contribution to Nigeria in general and Egbe, nay Yoruba in particular. Adefuye was recalled to Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as President. He was still waiting to hand over to a new ambassador when he suddenly died. A professor of history, Mr. Adefuye was in 2010 appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s ambassador in the US. An outspoken person and fierce defender of Nigeria, the deceased diplomat tackled critics of Nigeria in the US. He vociferously lobbied against Nigeria’s classification as “a country of interest” in America’s terrorism watch list.   Always ready to be of help in his position, we recall his support for the egbe during our convention in Baton Rouge when he brought down consular services to our members. We commensurate with the family for the loss of a breadwinner, Nigeria for the loss of a world class diplomat and Yoruba for the loss of another omoluabi.  May his soul rest in perfect peace.

 

Durojaye Odimayo Akindutire Akowe EOYNA 6462095158  

 
  Press Statement Mark C. Toner
Deputy Department Spokesperson Washington, DC
August 28, 2015
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We were saddened to learn of the passing yesterday of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye. Nigeria lost a distinguished ambassador who will be dearly missed. On behalf of the people of the United States and President Obama, we express our deepest condolences to his wife and his family.

Over the past five years under Ambassador Adefuye’s leadership, we enjoyed a collaborative and open dialogue that yielded real results such as the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, a strategic dialogue that succeeded in expanding mutual cooperation across a broad range of shared interests. Ambassador Adefuye helped build the Commission into a collaborative forum that has resulted in progress on issues critical to Nigeria’s and the United States’ shared future.

A former Fulbright scholar and participant of the International Visitor Exchange Program, Ambassador Adefuye had a keen understanding of the United States and developed strong relationships with his American colleagues. His last major assignment as Ambassador was to receive President Muhammadu Buhari and his delegation during the president’s official visit to the United States in July, during which President Buhari met with President Obama and other senior U.S. officials. The success of this visit speaks to Ambassador Adefuye’s skill as a diplomat. His tenure helped significantly strengthen the U.S.-Nigerian partnership.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/08/246433.htm  

Prof. Adebowale Adefuye was born in Ijebu-Igbo, in 1947. He received his First Degree in History at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1969. In 1973, he earned a Ph.D. in History, with a dissertation on “The Political History of the Palwo, 1400-1911.”

As a Fulbright scholar he studied at Columbia University, the University of North Florida and the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Adefuye started his academic career as a Lecturer at the University of Lagos, where he rose to the position of Professor, published books and articles, and served as Head of the History Department from 1985 to 1987.

He was one time ambassador to Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation to Haiti and Belize, a job he kept from 1987 to 1991. From 1991 to 1994, he served as Deputy High Commissioner at the Nigerian Embassy in London, U.K.,when he was hired by the Commonwealth (formerly the British Commonwealth of Nations) as Deputy Director of Strategic Planning.

After fourteen years with the Commonwealth, Adefuye took a job with the Economic Community of West African States, where he served as an Advisor for two years, from 2008 to 2010. He became the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in 2010.

The late diplomat, whose tenure ends on August 31, 2015 died after suffering from an heart attack in a Washington, DC hospital. He is survived by wife and children.