October 14, (THEWILL) — A former minister of foreign affairs and Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, has died at the age of 79.
Born on August 22, 1946, in Delta State, Prof. Ogwu passed away in the early hours of Monday, at a hospital in New York, United States.
A renowned scholar and diplomat, whose career spanned academia, policy research, and international diplomacy, Ambassador Ogwu served at the UN from May 2008 to May 2017. She was a distinguished diplomat and scholar, who also held the position of Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she significantly contributed to shaping Nigeria’s foreign policy and advancing international relations scholarship.
During her tenure at the UN, Ambassador Ogwu presided over the UN Security Council twice, in July 2010 and October 2011, highlighting her leadership on the global stage.
Before her diplomatic posting to the UN, Ogwu served as director-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she made notable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s foreign policy and the study of international relations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Bola Tinubu lauded her dedication, saying she projected Nigeria’s voice with clarity and purpose while working tirelessly for global peace, disarmament, international security, and the advancement of women’s rights
The President extended his condolences to Ambassador Ogwu’s five children, grandchildren, siblings, the entire Ogwu family, and the broader diplomatic and academic community, describing her as a trailblazer who rose to the highest levels of her vocation through excellence and hard work.
President Tinubu prayed for the repose of her soul and for divine comfort for all who mourn her passing.
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