Former Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Blessing Akporade Clark, is dead.
A statement signed by Dr. Christopher C. Clark on behalf of the family, said the foremost diplomat died on Tuesday in Lagos, at the age of 92 years.
“The Bekederemo-Fuludu-Clark family of Kiagbodo Town in the Burutu Local Government Council of Delta State, announce with profound sadness, the passing onto glory of Nigera’s foremost Diplomat, Ambassador Blessing Akporode Clark, CON, today, 26th July, 2022 in Lagos. He was aged 92 years.
“At several times in his Diplomatic career, he was Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.
“He was one of Nigeria’s leading multilateralists, and rose to become Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of External Affairs. He was, one of the critical global personalities in the fight against Apartheid and Racial Discrimination; and a leading world expert on Disarmament.
“Since 1999, until his death, he served as Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Relations”, the family said in a statement.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday joined family, friends and the government and people of Delta State in mourning the late diplomat.
The President described the former Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations as one of the country’s best and brightest of career diplomats.
“Every moment of his life, he dedicated to the nation,” says the President. “He was a visionary and an outstanding statesman who left behind indelible impressions on the hearts and minds of people across the nation and in many parts of the world. His loss will be felt near and far.
“May his soul rest in peace”, Garba Shehu, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, quoted Buhari in a statement on Wednesday.
