Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says he is “shocked and profoundly saddened” by the death of Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and a former Minister of Health.
Osinbajo expressed his shock in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, on Monday.
Osinbajo extended heartfelt condolences to late Osotimehin’s children and entire family over the passage of their beloved father, grandfather and also an illustrious Nigerian
The acting president also commiserated with the staff of the UNFPA and the entire UN system on the demise of a very remarkable international public servant.
He said the deceased served “passionately, diligently and worked tirelessly at the global and national stages to reduce maternal mortality and promote universal access to reproductive health”.
According to Osinbajo, the late Osotimehin will be remembered for his many significant developmental contributions at home and in the international community.
As Prof. Osotimehin is being mourned internationally, the acting president urge his family, friends and associates to take solace in the deceased’s notable service and worthy contributions especially towards improving women and children’s health across the world.
He said such contributions would be widely acclaimed, deeply appreciated, and would be long remembered and honoured.
The late Osotimehin, Osinbajo noted, also had a distinguished career as a medical doctor and teacher before he served as a cabinet minister in Nigeria, and later at the UN.
