Nigeria’s Ambassador To US, Sylvanus Nsofor, Dies Aged 85

Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Sylvanus Nsofor, is dead.

According to a press release signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye,  H. E. Nsofor passed away on Thursday at the age of 85.

It was gathered that Nsofor died at a hospital in Maryland in the US.

Also in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari described the late ambassador as an ”outstanding judge of rare courage”.

Shehu said Buhari has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with Justice Nsofor’s family on the burial arrangements.

The President also prayed God to comfort all who mourn the departed jurist.

”President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed heartfelt commiserations with the family, friends and associates of Nigeria’s Out-going Ambassador to the United States, Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor over his demise,” the statement read.

”In a telephone call to Jane, the widow of the retired justice in New York on Friday, the President described Amb. Nsofor as ‘an outstanding judge of rare courage and truth who is not afraid to give justice to whom justice is due.’

“Apparently referring to the 2003 presidential election during which Justice Nsofor delivered a minority judgment as a member of the Election Appeal Panel in favour of Gen. Buhari as candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the President said the country will miss people with such exemplary pedigree.

“President Buhari, who has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with Justice Nsofor’s family on the burial arrangements, prayed God to comfort all who mourn the departed jurist and grant his soul eternal rest.”

Nsofor, a native of Imo State, was born on March 17, 1935.

He was appointed a judge in 1977 and he spent 28 years in his legal career. He also taught law at the Holborn College of Law in London‎.