Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, has passed on Thursday night at the age of 85 years.
Though there is no official statement, competent sources confirmed his death.
A retired justice of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, Nsofor assumed office as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States on November 13, 2017.
The envoy succeeded Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, who also died towards the end of his tenure as Nigeria’s ambassador to US.
Born on March 17, 1935, in Oguta, Imo State, Nigeria, Nsofor graduated from London’s now-defunct Holborn College of Law in 1962. He also bagged an LL.M from the London School of Economics in 1964.
The late envoy began teaching at Holborn College of Law in 1964 and later went into private practice the following year.
He was appointed to the bench in Nigeria in 1977, and served as a judge of the Imo state High Court. Nsofor was a justice on the Court of Appeal of Nigeria for 13 years until his mandatory retirement in 2005.
Nsofor cast the dissenting vote in a three-justice panel in a contested 2003 presidential race between Muhammadu Buhari, who was presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
When President Buhari was elected President twelve years later, he appointed Nsofor as Nigeria’s ambassador to the US, a top and strategic foreign post.
His ambassadorial screening at the senate did not go without some drama as he refused to recite the national anthem when asked to do so by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who was concerned about Nsofor’s age and fitness to serve.
“Go and ask Mugabe who is still working,” Nsofor replied senators when his age and fitness became an issue during the screening session.
Nsofor’s nomination was denied but President Buhari re-nominated him at the end of March of 2017.
After another appearance before the senate, he was confirmed as ambassador on June 7.
From thisdaylive
Adieu Mr. Nsofor.
ReplyDeletewhat I don't understand is why retired octogenarians will be appointed to very sensitive diplomatic posts like this whereas there are highly qualified and experienced Nigerians in their middle ages? The stress of living in New York or Washington with the cold is enough to finish off this grandpa.
My thoughts precisely,why appoint very old men to these positions.
DeleteMay his brave soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteThis granpa just came to spend the remainder of his days jollofing on Govt money and free health-care.
DeleteWhat cld an 80plus man still do? I doubt his type can even use emails and write and reply memos.
Naija we hail.
RIPP
ReplyDeleteBuhari is really dealing with Nigerians sha.
RIP Sir.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in peace
ReplyDelete85 year old? RIP, please I'm 35 and I think I qualify to be am ambassador.
ReplyDeleteOfcourse you do but they won't let you.
Delete85 years old man representing a Country!!!! What a country..RIP Grandpa
ReplyDeleteIn fact ehn! It is well
DeleteFinally.. He could have just spent his last days with family than scramble for political appointment
ReplyDeleteAnd these old men never say no to these appointments even when they are sick
DeleteDid you just say 85? OMG.
ReplyDeleteStill working at that age when retirement age is 60. Hmmmm Anything is possible in Nigeria. He can now rest in perfect peace.
Buhari with old people in position of authority. Birds of the same feathers. They shoud all flock together. Why is the flocking even delaying on some?
Rip sir
ReplyDeleteNigeria is really a zoo ..... Buhari really taking us for a ride. An 85 year is the ambassador to US... smh
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine, someone that cannot recite National Anthem. This Govt is just so biased and Buhari was busy appointing all his old friends and left those capable to do the work behind.It shall be well with Nigeria one day
ReplyDelete.keep resting old man
How do u know he can not recite our anthem Madam
DeleteI remember seeing a video online of him resuming office. I couldn't believe he was a serving diplomat, thought it was a skit of some kind till I googled him up. He had no business being in a position that exerting and sensitive at that age.
ReplyDeleteRip to him.
A great Iroko of Oguta, has fallen. Jee nkeoma.
ReplyDeleteUseless people, 85years an ambassador, these people are so shameless, come carry appointment enter grave nah. Greedy politicians everywhere
ReplyDelete