One of Nigeria’s foremost diplomats, Asiwaju (Ambassador) Oladele Akadiri, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), is died.
A family source confirmed that Akadiri died in his sleep on Sunday, September 2, in Akure. He was 89 years old.
The late diplomat commenced an illustrious career in the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1959, during which he served as a diplomatic officer in the United Kingdom, Sweden, United States, and Kenya.
In 1968, Akadiri was General Yakubu Gowon’s Special Envoy to South American countries during the Civil War. He was based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The late envoy larer returned to the UK as deputy high commissioner from 1970 to 1973.
Akadiri served as Nigeria’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Senegal, with concurrent accreditation to the Gambia and Mauritania between 1973 and 1976.
He was decorated in 1976 as the Grand Officer of the Lion of Senegal, and Grand Officer of the Order Mauritania.
The envoy returned home to serve as director, Africa Department at the Ministry of External Affairs from 1976 to 1978; also serving as high commissioner in Canada from 1978 to 1981, after which he retired.
On returning home to Ondo State, Akadiri was granted the honour of Baba Ij o of St. John’s Anglican Church, Ipesi-Akoko, and he was awarded the ceremonial title of Asiwaju-Ire of Ipesi-Akoko.
He served on the Board of Governors of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado-Ekiti between 1981 and 1987, and was a member of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, from 1983 to 1992 (old Ondo State).
In October 2014, Akadiri was pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, a position he occupied until January 2016. The seasoned diplomat was conferred with Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2011.
The late diplomat authored many books, including Diplomacy, World Peace and Security, and the most recent, an autobiography: The Story of My Life, which he presented to the public in January, when he celebrated his 89th birthday.
He will be interred on October 19.