TheCable

No fewer than 100 countries have condoled with Nigeria over the sudden passing away of the late executive director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Babatunde Osotimehin.

Osotimehin died on Sunday night in New York at the age of 68.

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Nigeria’s ambassador/permanent representative to the UN, told NAN that the messages of condolence had come in from the majority of the 193 UN member states.

According to him, he has been receiving condolence messages from ambassadors/permanent representatives of missions since the sad news of Osotimehin’s demise was broken on Monday.

The Nigerian envoy commended the outpouring of the condolence messages, saying it was a supportive gesture to Nigeria as the country mourned the outstanding legacy of the late UNFPA chief.

Muhammad-Bande also said that the gesture by was a testimony to the distinguished service of the late UN under-secretary-general to humanity.

Osotimehin was appointed on November 19, 2010, as the executive director of UNFPA for a four-year term and assumed the position on January 1, 2011.

He was reappointed to the position on August 21, 2014, to became the organisation’s fourth executive director.

Osotimehin served previously as Nigeria’s minister of health between December 17, 2008, and March 10, 2010.