The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has mourned the passage of its former Director-General, Prof George Obiozor.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President-General’s death was announced on Wednesday.
NIIA Director-General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, in a statement, described Obiozor as a foremost nationalist, scholar, administrator, diplomat, and global citizen.
He said the late professor, an advocate of equity and justice, hosted his last major outing on the state of the nation at the NIIA.
The statement also reads: “In this and other engagements of his eventful life, Prof. Obiozor demonstrated unalloyed zest for strengthening our capacity to actualise Nigeria’s manifest destiny as an African and global leader.
“Prof. Obiozor obtained the doctorate degree in International Relations in 1976 from the prestigious Columbia University, New York, USA, and was Director-General of the NIIA, Nigeria’s apex Foreign Policy think-tank in 1991-1999.
Read Also: Obiozor an inspirational leader who gave his best, say Northern elders
“He subsequently became Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the State of Israel, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Cyprus (1999-2003), and Ambassador to the United States of America (2004-2008).
“Prof. Obiozor left an indelible mark on the diplomatic turf.
“A prolific writer on International Relations, Prof. Obiozor had several eminent works to his credit, including Nigeria and the world: Managing the Politics of Diplomatic Ambivalence in a Changing world; The Politics of Precarious Balancing: Analysis of Contending Issues in Nigeria’s Domestic and Foreign Policy; and The United States and the Nigerian Civil War.
“As an astute administrator and visioner, Prof Obiozor led the NIIA along the paths of excellence as a world institute in Africa, and contributed greatly to the blossoming of the golden era of Nigeria’s foreign policy as a global leader – indeed, his diplomatic engagements had the imprint of a successful blending of theory and practice of international relations.
“’Boy George’, as he was fondly called by members of the NIIA family, was one of the Institute’s greatest endowments to Nigeria’s successes in the complex world of international affairs. He will be greatly missed.”
The DG added that the NIIA management and staff identified with the Obiozor family and the country at this grieving time, “even as we are consoled by the fact that Prof. Obiozor lived a life worthy of emulation as a scholar, diplomat, nationalist, elder statesman, and global citizen”.
Osaghae prayed for his gentle soul to rest in perfect peace.