The remains of late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, Nigeria’s immediate-past Ambassador to the United States have left the United States for Nigeria. Diplomatic sources hinted that the late envoy’s remains in a casket, draped in the Nigerian flag, in line with diplomatic protocols departed the Dulles International Airport, Washington, U.S. Wednesday aboard a Delta Airlines plane.
The New Diplomat‘s checks reveal that at the airport to bid late Nsofor farewell were senior officials of the U.S. Department of State, and Nigerian embassy officials led by the Charge D’Affaires, Mrs Jane Adams-Abanulo.
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In accordance with normal diplomatic protocols accorded an envoy of that stature, a short departure ceremony which included a guard of honour mounted by U.S. military service members took place at the cargo section of the Dulles International airport.
Ambassador Nsofor’s wife, Jean, and son, Cross, are said to be accompanying the remains back to Nigeria. Going by the flight schedule, they are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning.
Similarly, in accordance with diplomatic ethics and standard protocols, representatives of the U.S. consulate in Lagos and officials of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs are billed to receive the body on arrival in Nigeria.
Recall that the late 85-year-old retired justice of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal and Nigeria Ambassador to the United States died at a U.S. hospital on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was already at the tail end of his diplomatic career, following a recall issued by the Nigeria government to various serving Ambassadors and Heads of Missions.
Born on March 17, 1935, in Oguta, Imo State, Nsofor graduated from the defunct Holborn College of Law, London, in 1962. He also bagged an LL.M from the London School of Economics in 1964.
Ambassador Nsofor assumed office as Nigeria’s ambassador to the U.S. on Nov. 13, 2017, succeeding Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, who similarly died towards the end of his tenure as well.
At a service of songs held in his honour by the Nigerian Embassy in Washington on Tuesday evening, speakers took turns to eulogize the deceased for his discipline, incorruptibility and passion for justice.
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