TheCable

The federal government says it is proud that Babatunde Osotimehin, the late executive director of UN Population Fund (UNFPA), was a product of Nigeria.

Tijjani Bande, Nigeria’s ambassador/permanent representative to the UN, stated this while delivering the tribute by the federal government at the valedictory night for Osotimehin in New York.

His comment was in reaction to an ocean of glowing tributes that flowed forth from Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, his deputy, Amina Mohammed, and Peter Thompson, president of the general assembly, among others.

Guterres had said “the news of Dr Babatunde’s sudden death last week devastated our UN family; today we mourn this heartbreaking loss and we remember his inspiring life.

“Babatunde was completely devoted to the cause of women and girls – especially those who are most marginalized.

“He was driven by the conviction that every single family on earth should be free to decide on the timing and spacing of their children.

“That no one would suffer from harmful traditional practices; that there would be no more female genital mutilation; no more prenatal sex selection; no more child brides and no more maternal deaths.”

According to him, Osotimehin worked day and night to achieve this just future, recalling an instance of the dedication of his former colleague.

“When he was appointed Executive Director of UNFPA, he was due to start at the beginning of 2011. January 1 was a Saturday.

“So his staff suggested that they put out a press release saying he would be in the office as of January 3. But he completely dismissed the idea. He was ready to start on January 1. And he did go into the office that day and stayed through the holiday weekend.

“Babatunde embodied that ethic of service throughout his term – working every day to help people who were suffering.”

Guterres affirmed that Osotimehin continually made UNFPA an even more effective organisation that stood as a respected international authority on sexual and reproductive rights.

“His loss is felt most deeply by his family and by the staff of UNFPA. But his passing is also a loss for the world.

“The name ‘Babatunde’ means ‘father comes back.’ Though he is now gone, I have no doubt this father will come back every time we speak out – as he did – for women and girls.

“Babatunde will be with us every time we champion the rights of individuals and families of all kinds. He will live in our hearts as long as we carry on his fight for justice – for a better world for all people.

“Let us honour his memory with the actions Babatunde would have wanted us to take – actions for the sake of others and especially women and girls,” Guterres said.

Responding, Bande expressed Nigeria’s gratitude at the outpouring of encomium for the late UNFPA chief who died on June 4 at his home in New York at the age of 68 years.

“Nigeria joins the rest of the grieving world in mourning but also celebrating the life of an illustrious citizen, as a Government and people. This gathering today barely whispered that he is a Nigerian. We take no offence. We take pride in the fact that we produced him.

“His commitment on global health issues has been attested to by all through the testimonies that you gave.

“So today, we are proud to give him to the world. In Nigeria, Prof. Osotimehin was a distinguished teacher and professional public servant,” the Nigeria’s permanent representative said.

The Nigerian envoy noted the exceptional legacy of Osotimehin at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital.

He said the deceased sustained the pride of the College as the primary and principal parent institution for post graduate training in medicine in West Africa and by extension, in Africa.

Bande said the stewardship of Osotimehin was also distinguished by hard work and excellence.

“That was what we really knew him for and it was those qualities that he brought to bear and that made him attracted to the world system.

“Nigeria is gladdened by the statements by all about celebrating him and continuing the work he did, which did not die with him.

“And we can only affirm that with the same commitment, we will carry on the work that has been done by him, as Government of Nigeria,” he said.