May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.

The last time I fraternized with the great diplomat was at Valparaiso University in Indiana. His energy was indubitably palpable but that was just in the eye of man! Had I known it would be our last meeting, I would have made a better use of our time together. However, "Tempus autem Dei est!" (Time belongs to God)!

It is unfortunate that, good trees don't stand tall for too long in the forest. Ambassador Adefuye came to us in a hurry and left us in a hurry. May his legacy of integrity, patriotism, selfless and meritorious service stay with us for an indefinite time, and may we continue to bask in the sunshine of his nicety for a long time to come. My heart goes out to Mrs. Adefuyi and the entire family, the compendium of colleagues, and a wide array of friends around the world. I pray that our great nation be blessed with the reincarnation of such much-needed selfless souls as Adefuye in the service of our nation. So long, our man with a giant heart!

Michael O. Afolayan
USA

Amb. Adefuye , May your soul rest in peace .Too bad we were not able to tell you and your wife "THANK YOU " for taking care of our daughter when she moved to Maryland area .....She conveyed all your messages to us....We are eternally grateful...It is our prayer that you rest in perfect peace and that the good Lord continue to be with your wife,children and rest of the family.
We share in your loss .
" Omo Alare sun re o.".

Tribute By Abdullahi Dauda and Family

My condolences to Ambassador Adefuye's family. May God in his infinite mercy, comfort them in this difficult time. Amb. Adefuye was an exemplary Nigerian. I haven't met any diplomat who loved Nigeria as much. He was the true spokesperson when it came to issues on Nigeria and Nigerians. He always saw the best in Nigerians and Nigeria. I really truly miss him already. May his soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Amee.

This is sad, but heaves know best. May his soul find rest. My one meeting with him at a NIDO event in Chicago was cordial and friendly. My heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends.

'Segun Olude

Ambassador Prof. Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye was a diplomat extraordinaire. He served Nigeria loyally with dignity and honor. Ambassador Adefuye touched so many lives as a professor and as a diplomat. Nigeria has lost a brilliant gem. You will be terribly missed. May your gentle and noble soul rest in perfect peace, Amen. Sun re o!

Tribute by Tunde Bewaji

When I arrived Jamaica in 1991 the name Ade Adefuye was on the lips of every Jamaican I met. Even though we had another High Commissioner, most Jamaicans thought Ade Adefuye was still the Ambassador of Nigeria to Jamaica. He was remembered, and continues to be remembered today in Jamaica as a special Nigerian High Commissioner who placed Nigeria, Africa and humanity above pettiness and who elevated the relationship between Jamaica and Nigeria to a place of understanding, cooperation, collaboration and dignity.

It was therefore with joy that I accepted to attend and present at the Roundtable on Culture as an Instrument of Nigerian foreign policy in America and the Americas which he organized, and I was not disappointed, because the man was authentic, no pretense about him, and his capacity to attend to even the minutest of details was impressive. No one was left with a feeling of the typical Nigerian official, too stuck-up with a false image of importance to recognize the human dignity of the youngest, smallest or poorest among us.

Unfortunately, it was at that Roundtable that the news of the sudden passing of another gem was broken to me, Professor Moses Oke of Obafemi Awolowo University, by another colleague who had journeyed for the Roundtable with us in DC. But I confess that the reputation of Professor Ade Adefuye transcends the diminutive physique that I encountered. Having had the opportunity of being blessed by his presence, it dawned on me that the most bombastic among us have to be that way because the essence of their beings have that need, while the real humans among us are often ineffable, unpretentiously down to earth, and consequently needful of no padding.

What is even more significant about the sudden transition to ancestorhood of Ade Adefuye is the constant reminder this should be to us all, that all humans have a shelf life. The only certainty is our transience. For those animals among us who have made kleptocracy into the art, who would rather relocate the wealth of their ancestry into another country where it is of no use to themselves and to their compatriots after their earthly demise, the primitive in them need to be reminded that Mobutu Sese Sekou is no more today, Idi Amin Dada is no more, all the rogues who rob their societies blind to build mansions in Oyibo country are all gone. Even the best among us, sadly, must go like Ojogbon Agba Adefuye answered the bell, while we continue to pray that the demise of the evil among us be hastened, so that we can have peace and development worthy of the effort of Ade Adefuye.

Does anyone remember them, the kleptocrats, the way we mention Ade Adefuye? When people mention Nkrumah, Awolowo, Cabral, Nyerere, Mandela, Mbeki and other great patriots, who would remember any of these charlatans, except as examples of human perfidy and primitivity? So, Oga, Baba, Professor, Ambassador Ade Adefuye, we met only once, but I thank you for being who you are. None of us is perfect, but each one of us must aspire to be a blessing to our communities, to society and to our country, regardless of personal interests.

Your shadows will continue to be a shade to those who seek knowledge and humanity in the black person, who refuse to give up on project Nigeria, and who are very aware of the humanity of each human - having basic needs, desiring dignity, and being destined to depart and be no more, leaving only the good works or the evil works, by which others will remember them.

Ojogbon Agba Ade Adefuye, Eledua will condole the immediate and extended family (of the later, uncountables must be numbered amongst us). Sunnre. Ma j'okun, ma j'ekolo; oun won ba n je l'ajule orun, oun ni o ma a ba won je. O da'rinako, o d'oju ala, o di gbere. Sunnre o. 

Tunde Bewaji.

I met the amicable and affable Professor about thrice within a week and that was in New York in 2014 during the United Nations General Assembly.Surely he did live a lasting impression on me.
He came across as a well bred diplomat whose love for his Fatherland was conveyed in unambiguous terms.He believed in the greatness of Nigeria and warned against the continuous negative reportage Nigeria was getting from the world media with the active connivance of our local media.
May his soul rest in peace and may God grant his family and the diplomatic community the fortitude to bear this painful loss,IJN,AMEN!!!
Comrade Izeze R.Y.Reuben.
Majority Whip,
Delta State House Of Assembly,
Asaba,
Nigeria.

"Tribute by Ndubueze Chuku - South Carolina"

Ambassador Adefuye set a marker as one who will not cower when his country was being painted in a bad light. He acknowledged the problems Nigeria faced but highlighted the great things that Nigeria and Nigerians represented. The country will miss you dearly. Adieu, The people's Ambassador and may your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.....

Life is like a river, a flower that blossoms in the day and withers in the evening at sundown. As we mourn, we should likewise prepare ourselves for our own turn, try to be at peace with God and mankind. May the soul of Prof Adefuye rest in perfect peace until we meet to part no more.

"Tribute by Bookie Shonuga - New York"

My condolences to Ambassador Adefuye's family. May God in his infinite mercy, comfort them in this difficult time. Amb. Adefuye was an exemplary Nigerian. I haven't met any diplomat who loved Nigeria as much. He was the true spokesperson/salesman when it came to issues on Nigeria and Nigerians. He always saw the best in Nigerians and Nigeria. I really truly admire this quality in him. No matter how negative the news "du jour" on Nigeria, he always found something positive to say. His energy and patriotism were infectious. Some diplomats may love Nigeria and claimed that they're dedicated to serve Nigeria, but Professor Adefuye walked the walk and talked the talk as a talented, intellectual Nigerian who was able to eloquently express his love and passion for our dear country and defended her until his last breadth.

I was in his presence at the Blair house in Washington DC, this past July when he accompanied President Buhari to meet with president Obama. I was also at the Nigerian Diaspora town hall forum at the Nigerian Embassy, organized to meet President Buhari, Ambassador Adefuye officiated the occasion and he was exuberant and patriotic as usual.

Nigeria has lost a great talent and son and most importantly, a beautiful soul. May his soul rest in eternal peace.



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Goodbye to a wonderfull scholar who sacrificed all there was at my time as a student at the University of Lagos as one of his student was a great icon of education fought for wright of the average nigerian child to be well educated sleep well my gerat mentor.

In Tribute to Professor Adebowale Adefuye - 'The Good Guy'
At that moment, eking out a living in London as a British Civil Servant, toiling away within the offices of the Inland Revenue in the leafy suburbs of Surrey the name Ade Adefuye leaped out. Ten years had rolled by since the passing away of my father Dr. Olasupo Ojedokun. In commemoration, a memorial lecture was organised and Professor Ade Adefuye, then the Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK had graciously agreed to be the guest speaker at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. The lecture was titled ‘The Commonwealth and Nigeria in a New World Order’ and held on 24th April 1992. Regrettably due to work commitments I was constrained to remain in the UK and unable to travel to Nigeria to attend the event.

The thread linking my father to the Professor went beyond the role of a memorial guest speaker. He was connected to him in other ways, as a junior colleague at the University of Lagos in the Department of History before he was seconded to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and through his wife Aunty Shola who is my mother’s cousin.

The Professor was one of the many lecturers who paid me attention when as a young schoolboy I took to the habit of roaming the grounds of the campus of University of Lagos in search of close affinity to my father’s memory. The Professor was the one who paid me attention and cleared his schedule to meet with me in his London office when I required consular assistance in the 1990s.


It was through my good friend Dr. Ayowale Ogunye, in the midst of the crises that engulfed the University of Lagos, claiming his father and 6 other professors' positions, I came to realise even in the 1980s that Professor Adefuye was one of the good guys. In the past few hours, in far away America, we have lost an intellectual colossus, an indefatigable diplomat, a beautiful soul, a man of dignity and above all a father and husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunty Shola and the family at this time.
http://promiseofmygeneration.blogspot.com/2015/08/in-tribute-to-professor-adebowale.html

I first met our distinguished Ambassador in 2011, barely less than one year after he assumed office in Washington, DC. He was an exemplary leader, peaceful and detribalized Nigerian who represented the finest of Nigeria. Despite all the problems of Nigeria and Nigerians on this shore of USA, Ambassador remained hopeful and optimistic that the best of Nigeria nation is yet to emerge to fullest. Our prayers go out to his immediate family, Nigeria and all lovers of peace. Your good work on earth will remain as shining example to all Nigerians. Adieu.
Sir Clement Ezeh - New Jersey USA

The news was a shock to all of us. May God Almighty strengthen your family and accept your soul in Jesus name.

---- the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 (KJV)

Ambassador (Prof.) Adefuye was given to us to serve Nigeria to the best of his ability in two capacities --- as university professor and diplomat. In both cases he excelled. He loved Nigeria and stood for her progress. He did not waver even under the most difficult circumstances. Some misunderstood him, but more appreciated his dedication, devotion, candor and impeccable record of service as representative of Nigeria in the most powerful country in the world.

I came close to Amb. Adefuye as Chair, Organizing Committees for three NIDOA World Conferences in New Jersey. During our interactions, it was clear to me that this man's commitment to Nigeria's advancement in the global arena was total. He gave my committees full support intellectually and in resources to ensure we organized successful conferences. In addition he participated actively in presenting to the International audiences Nigerian aspirations for becoming the true giant of Africa. His relentless campaign for the Nigeria/US partnership in the socioeconomic realms pushed Nigeria to the fore of considerations among the American public and private sectors. Today, the whole world recognizes Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa --- Amb. Adefuye played a significant role in this.

Amb. Adefuye represnted Nigeria well in the most powerful country in the world. He will be missed!

MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PEACE!!! May the good memories of the good life he lived comfort his wife, children grandchildren and all his loved ones. May the Lord console the Nigerian nation!

Albert Ayeni

You were a welcome breath of fresh air in the political image of our fledgling democracy. A consummate diplomat who saw no ethnicity, tribe, color, nor creed, in dispatching your duties as ambassador.
It was just last month, like the well-learned scholar you were, you gave your last inspiring speech at the Town Hall, hosted for our President Buhari, at the Nigerian Embassy, Washington DC. I for one, never knew that would be my last interaction with you.
May the Good Lord/Allah, grant your family the fortitude to bear your loss, and May you Rest in the Bosom of our Lord. Amen.
Dr. Reginald Obiamalu,
NIDOA Board Member/Event Director

Ambassador Adefuye , now of blessed memory, was never comfortable with my addressing him as colleague, always preferring to see me as boss from the historical perspective of my being
his Foreign Minister that physically took his papers to then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to sign and set out within the week to Washington following Senate approval of his nomination by President Musa Yaradua , also of blessed memory. Now , Ambaasador Adefuye,s abiding appreciation for the speed with which I acted on his matter, and ever generous comments on my authorship of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission which I demanded of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , at a meeting in my residence in Abuja in 2009 ,speaks volumes about the kind of man this rare breed was. Ever appreciative of even the smallest courtesies , he was as profound as he was humble. He represented one of the finest traditions of history, s exclusive club of scholars of statecraft who went on to embody the craft itself with their luminosity and strategic depth. Uncompromisingly urbane and cosmopolitan , he brought to diplomacy a breath of 21st century fresh air that had the authenticity of tradition. He was a mobile example that Nigeria can work when we begin to place round pegs in round holes. And that explains why , Professor Adefuye , who was neither a career diplomat in the conventional sense , nor a card carrying member of any political party , could rise to the Olympian heights of our diplomatic outings and accomplish so much without the anointing of any of those core historic constituencies in our diplomatic experience .You have to be an exceptional talent to buck the tide that way , and come up this high. Adefuye, my colleague in the North American family of Nigerian envoys , was such a talent. My personal pain about his death was compounded by the fact that he called me from Washington 5 days before he passed away . He sounded hale and hearty. We spoke about life after our imminent return to Nigeria at the conclusion of our service ,having all received notice from Abuja to that effect. He took my Nigerian number as he wanted to be very much in touch and I took his.He was going to write a definitive book in which he would dwell a lot on my vision that gave rise to the U.S/ Nigeria Binational Commission and how that was the template for his busy diplomatic engagements in Washington . We both lamented how our national capacity to be a global player gets diminished when they are no records ,or worse ,history is shunted aside for hysteria. Perhaps , from the vantage position of his being a historian - diplomat , some positive steps to recover lost grounds could now commence from his threshold . Little did I know this was a farewell conversation ! As I became dumb founded on hearing of Adefuye,s death , I had problems making any public statement ,except for a quiet condolence I have sent to his wonderful , and ever gracious wife.I rued over the fact that we don't honour and celebrate our best enough when they are alive ; only to wait to jump into the bandwagon of praise upon death. ( I am in no position , nor do I have the inclination to asses how much of such lachrymal effusions are sincere).Since too often , much of public service , especially in Nigeria is thankless service, who says some of these lives we subsequently say very generous things about , might not have lived longer if they had experienced the emotional and even spiritual satisfaction from the goodwill that pours in torrents after they have gone. Can we sincerely begin to develop a robust culture of heroism so critical for national greatness if all our heroes are dead heroes?. Maybe the planned memoirs which Ambassador Professor Ade Adefuye hinted to me about, 5 days before he was translated , may have addressed that. Now , we will never know, because he now belongs to the ages!Could another of his competence , insights , and experience pick up the baton.? Who is the candidate? It is a matter of urgent national interest . For now , we can only console the wife and children ,and officers and staff of both the chancery in Washington ,and headquarter Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by saying that to know and be associated with Ambassador Ade Adefuye, is a gift from heaven , and therefore transcends time and space and history. May light perpetual continue to shine upon him , and may his labours continue to be an inspiration for future generations !  Ojo Maduekwe , High Commissioner to Canada.
By Ojo Maduekwe
Nigeria Ambassador to Canada

There is no doubt that Ambassador Adefuye was one of our own best to represent Nigeria here in United States. Prof. you have your best, you have made your indelible marks in the hearts of peace-loving Nigeria, and you represented all of us very well. May God Almighty Allaah take care of everthing and everyone

The passing of Prof. Adebowale Adefuye on Thursday, August 27, 2015 came as a shock. A gentleman to the core. I met him in Dallas a few years ago with his wife. It was an official event that took place at the Dallas City Hall. I was at the event on dual capacities: As Board Chairman of the Organization of Nigerian Nationals, D/FW, Inc. and as the publisher of African Herald based in Dallas. He made Nigerians at the event proud. He was a well rounded man intellectually. Of course, we published the event.

We will forever miss him. Rest in Peace Prof. God knows why he took you while still on duty in the U.S. We pray that the Almighty God will give your family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Adieu.

Dr. Richard O. Nwachukwu
Board Chairman, ONN, D/FW, Inc.

Very sad and shocking!

Rest in Perfect Peace, prof.

U.S Government Mourns Ambassador Ade Adefuye's Exit,  
Commiserates With The Government and People of Nigeria"

The governnent and people of the United States have commiserated with the Federal republic of Nigeria over the sudden  death of the nation's Ambassador to that country, Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye.  

The U.S government describes Professor Adefuye as a distinguished ambassador who will be dearly missed, not only by his immediate family and country of origin but also, the entire diplomatic community in view of his sterling qualities which endeared him to many.

A statement, issued by the deputy Spokesperson of the U.S Deparment of State, Mark Toner and made available to Ogun State Television (Ogtv's) Senior Correspondent, Adesina Anidugbe in New-York, said over the past five years under Ambassador Adefuye’s leadership, both countries enjoyed 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.

The statement addded that Ambassador Adefuye helped build the Commission into a collaborative forum that had resulted in progress on issues critical to Nigeria’s and the United States’ shared future. 

As a former Fulbright scholar and participant of the International Visitor Exchange Program, Ambassador Adefuye was said to have 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, the statement added, laid credence to Ambassador Adefuye’s skill as a diplomat just as his tenure significantly helped to strengthen the U.S.-Nigerian partnership.

The U.S government therefore prayed to God to give his family, friends, NIgeria and the diplomatic community, the fortitude to bear the loss.  


Adesina Anidugbe (Esq.)
Senior Reporter/Anchor (U.S) 
Ogun State Television (OGTV)
Klm. 9 Olabisi Onabanjo Way, 
P.m.b 2239, Sapon, Abeokuta.
Ogun State, Nigeria.

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Uncle Ade was a colossus . A man larger than life itself, I met this great man in 1968 on arrival from the UK as a toddler of 2 years old. I was so attached to his then girlfriend who later became his wife our dear aunty Sola, Uncle Ade was a complete family man who shunned any form of affluence. He was a direct man, straight to the point and never played with words. Uncle Ade wanted all around him to be a success, so he was quick to point out your folly. Serving Nigeria and the international community in various capacity is an attestation of his hard work and a peace loving person, he loved his people and always wanted the best for them. He loved Nigeria and would stop at nothing in negotiating the best for us, It's a shame he died on active service, if I could read his mind, he was probably thinking of his next Nigeria pet project since he was completing one in a couple of days, Uncle Ade will surely be missed by his family, cousins, schoolmates from Molusi College, the Unilag community, our Ijebu Igbo community and Nigeria as a whole. He served his Motherland meritoriously. May his gentle soul have eternal peace. Uncle Ade and my mother shared the same grand parents.

Oh Month of August. How heartless you are! You took a giant from amongst us.
Adieu Prof. Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye. May GOD grant you eternal rest. Let your work and those you have touched continue to speak for you even unto generations yet unborn. Reside in the bossom of the ALMIGHTY. In Jesus Name (Amen)
Samson Arawole

The honorable Ambassador of Nigeria to Washington, Prof. Ade Adefuye and his wife are the best diplomats Nigeria has ever produced in the last 4 decades that I have been around the Baltimore-Washington corridor. No other ambassador has done more to uplift and elevate the image of Nigeria and diaspora Nigerians than Prof. Adefuye. The only Nigerian ambassador in memory who speaks without prepared text, and always smiling and passionate in his defense of Nigeria and Nigerians. That his untimely demise should happen in this way shows how temporary our sojourn on this earth is. His legacy shall never be forgotten, and the light he started shall shine that all may see and come to know the contribution of Nigerians to the American fabris !

On behalf of the Eleonu family, and the entire NIDO iNova (Virginia) members, we express our deepest condolence to the family of the "People's Ambassador" - a true diplomat without match. May he rest in perfect peace.