The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday announced the death of Nigeria’s ambassador to France Kayode Laro.
The ministry, in a statement by its spokesperson Francisca Omayuli, said Laro died last Friday in Paris, France, after a protracted illness.
The statement read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is deeply saddened to announce the death of Ambassador Kayode Laro on Friday, 11th August, 2023, in Paris, France, after a protracted illness.
“Until his death, Ambassador Kayode Laro was Nigeria’s Ambassador to France with concurrent accreditation to Monaco. He contributed immensely to strengthening Nigeria’s relations with France.
“The Late Ambassador Laro was a career diplomat whose years in the Nigerian Foreign Service spanned 35 years, from December 1983 – December 2018. His appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to France in 2021, after his retirement from service, was in recognition of his immense contributions to Nigeria’s Foreign Service.
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“In the course of his career, late Ambassador Laro served the country in various capacities both at home and abroad, including being a Consul General at the Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta, United States. He distinguished himself in multilateral diplomacy when he served in Nigeria’s Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva. He also served as the Director of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Ambassador Laro was an astute, seasoned and quintessential diplomat, whose contributions to the Nigerian Foreign Service will always be remembered and appreciated.”
President Bola Tinubu, who paid tributes to the late diplomat in a statement on Saturday by his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, extended his condolences to Laro’s family, the diplomatic community, as well as the government and people of Kwara State.
“Our nation has lost an exemplary diplomat. I will always hold cherished memories of my interactions with him during my attendance at the New Global Financial Pact Summit in France this June. His unwavering dedication and strong sense of duty left an indelible mark. May his legacy continue to inspire us to strive for a more harmonious and prosperous world,” the president said.
