Adefuye was an Ambassador per excellence – Senator Mark; We’ve lost one of our finest Diplomats – Gov. Ambode

Immediate past President of the Senate Senator David Mark has lamented over the death of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America Professor Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye describing him as an Ambassador per excellence.
Senator Mark in a statement reacting to the demise of the erudite Scholar said Nigeria has lost an academic giant and an envoy of international repute who radiated excellence and dignity on his assignment .
He said: ” I received with sadness and pain the news of the untimely death of Professor Adefuye. He was one of the nation’s best and fertile minds in the diplomatic corp. He was a distinguished public servant and a world citizen.
“Professor Adefuye represented Nigeria at the highest level among the comity of nations. He brought honour and pride to Nigeria. Under him, Nigeria earned the respect and accolade of other nations.
“Obviously, Professor Adefuye has left a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
Nigeria and indeed the World would miss him for his intellectual prowess, honesty and strategic contributions to World peace and development.”
Senator Mark therefore urged the government and people of Nigeria to take solace in the fact that late Adefuye left his positive footprints on the sands of time and a legacy of exemplary life worthy of emulation.
He prayed that the Almighty God give the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and the deceased eternal rest.
In Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday expressed shock and sadness over the death of Prof. Adefuye.
Adefuye, a professor of history, passed away on Thursday at a hospital in the United States.
He was 68 years old.
The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna described Adefuye as one of finest diplomats Nigeria has produced in recent times, saying his death comes as a shock to many, especially as he was in the twilight of his tenure.
He recalled that Adefuye played a pivotal role in reviving the image of Nigeria and worked tirelessly to ensure that the nation was removed from the US terrorism watch list in the wake of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“We have lost a rare gem, a diplomat extra ordinarie, who had served this nation meritoriously. Our prayer is that his soul will find repose in the bosom of our Lord”.
“On behalf of the good people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of the deceased, the people of Ogun state and Nigerians on this sad loss”, Governor Ambode said.
Mr. Adefuye hailed from Ijebu-Igbo and studied at the University of Ibadan where he earned his first degree in 1969 as well as a PhD in History in 1973.
He also received a Fulbright Fellowship that enabled him to do research work at Columbia University, the University of North Florida, and the University of Florida in Gainesville.