Ambassador Abubakar Chika Yusuf from Sokoto State, who is said to be the most senior Foreign Service Officer from Sokoto State, on line for potential consideration and nomination as an Ambassador has reportedly passed away after a brief illness.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal Abubakar Chika Yusuf, who previously served as Charge d Affairs in Bangui, Central Africa Republic was said to have already returned home to Nigeria, awaiting further directives at headquarters when he suddenly took ill and passed away.
Said a close colleague of the deceased;” We suddenly lost one of our very dear colleagues who was said to be on the list for possible consideration for potential nomination as a career ambassador from the career pool. He was said to be the most senior foreign service officer from Sokoto state, and so he was tipped as likely nominee on the potential list of Ambassadorial nominees from the career side for the consideration. But he just passed away after a brief illness, we were told. It is very sad. He was a brilliant senior diplomat who joined the ministry of foreign affairs from another ministry. He was nice. We have lost a great officer, a decent human being, and a very loyal foreign service officer. It is very sad, very sad. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recalled all Nigerian ambassadors in October last year. Since then, new envoys have not been nominated to succeed the recalled ambassadors.