President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the Kenyan government over the loss of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
He described the deceased as a towering figure in African politics and a lifelong champion of democracy and justice.
President Tinubu hailed the late Odinga’s lasting contributions to Kenya’s political development and Africa’s democratic progress in a condolence letter released on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The president praised Odinga for his everlasting faith in the people’s power, his bravery in the face of hardship, and his tenacity in promoting election changes.
“His courage, resilience, and belief in the people’s power will remain sources of inspiration for generations to come,” he said.
Tinubu described the former prime minister as a freedom fighter and a Pan-Africanist whose legacy extended beyond his country’s borders.
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“As a statesman of international repute, Mr. Odinga embodied the spirit of Pan-Africanism and was a steadfast advocate for inclusive governance and regional cooperation,” the statement read.
The President noted that Odinga’s legacy would endure in the institutions he helped to build and the democratic ideals he championed.
“We mourn with Kenya in this moment of national grief and stand in solidarity with you, President William Ruto, as you lead your nation through this painful chapter,” Tinubu said.
“May the memory of Raila Odinga continue to guide Kenya towards peace, unity, and progress,” the President added.
The 79-year-old former foreign affairs minister and permanent representative to the UN, Joy Angela Ogwu, has passed away.
Ogwu was a renowned scholar and diplomat whose career encompassed public service, education, and diplomacy. He represented Nigeria at the UN from May 2008 to May 2017.
She promoted world peace, disarmament, and international cooperation throughout her two terms as president of the UN Security Council, which she held in July 2010 and October 2011.
Ogwu made significant contributions to the study of international relations and the formulation of Nigeria’s foreign policy while serving as director-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) before her diplomatic service to the UN.
