Ashiru’s Corpse Arrives Lagos Airport From South Africa

The remains of the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru yesterday evening arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos from South Africa.

A South African Airways aircraft, Airbus 340-600 with registration number ZS-SNC brought Ashiru’s remains into the country around 4:30pm.

But airports formalities and clearance that lasted for till 6:30pm delayed the body from being collected by friends and relatives who had been at the airport since mid-day.

Accompanying the body were the wife of the late envoy, children and his junior brother, Mr. Bimbo Ashiru, who is the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun State.

Others were Professor Toyin Ashiru and Mr. Kenyinde Smith who is widely regarded as his best friend, others are, Mr. Niyi Alonge, Doctor Yemi Ogunbiyi, a renowned journalist and former Managing Director of Daily Times and current Chairman of Tanus Communications.

Also present at the airport were former and current ambassadors who endured the long wait for the arrival and clearance of the body of the late renowned diplomat.

In a brief and emotional interview with newsmen, the junior brother to the late diplomat, Bimbo said the family had lost a pillar of support, a father and mentor.

He lamented, “He was a confidant of all, but who are we to question God. We hope and pray the good Lord will receive him into his bosom.”

It would be recalled that Ambassador Ashiru last Saturday died in a South African hospital after a long battle with a terminal disease said to be brain tumour. He was aged 66 years old.

President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Ashiru, who was said to have been nominated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2011. He was, however, removed in 2013 in a cabinet reshuffle.

Ashiru was actively involved in the diplomatic face-off between Nigeria and South Africa in 2012 over the deportation of 125 Nigerians for not possessing valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates.


source: nationalmirroronline.net