Demise of Prof. Herbert Onitiri, a national loss – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the passage of renowned professor of economics and elder statesman, Herbert Onitiri, as “a national loss.”

The President, in a statement by Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) offered deep condolences to Prof. Onitiri’s family as well as the academia on the passing of the former Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan.

As a consummate and erudite scholar, President Buhari believes that Prof. Onitiri will be fondly remembered, not only for his dedicated services to his nation, but also to regional and international organisations including ECOWAS, the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

The President affirmed that with his seminal research works and contributions to global discourse on strategies for equitable trade and economic relations among developed and developing countries, Prof. Onitiri has left a worthy and commendable legacy for the academia, development experts, civil society organisations and governments to build upon.

President Buhari trusts that the prolific academic, renowned for preparing the economic blueprint for the transition of Zimbabwe from an Apartheid regime to an independent black nation, will be honoured for his life-long efforts to advance Nigeria’s economic growth through his timely, patriotic works and counsel to past governments.

The President prayed that God Almighty will grant Prof. Onitiri eternal rest and comfort the deceased’s family, friends and admirers.