The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described as shocking the sudden death of Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Amb. Kayode Laro.
Blueprint reports that the late envoy, who was a career diplomat in the Nigerian Foreign Service from December 1983 – December 2018, died on Friday in Paris, France, after a protracted illness.
He was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to France in 2021, after his retirement from service in recognition of his immense contributions to Nigeria’s foreign service.
Laro, whose remains arrived Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Wednesday, and was received by the Kwara state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside other odignitaries and family members of the deceased, was subsequently buried at his family compound in Ilorin according to Islamic rites with the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashiru Salihu, leading the funeral prayer.
Dabiri-Erewa in a condolence message noted that, “The death is so shocking to me as we still communicated very recently, and prior to that reminisced on the last visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ to Paris in June during which Ambassador Laro successfully hosted the President and his delegation.”
The Commission’s boss, who described the late Laro as a thorough-bred professional, and a great diplomat, said that Nigeria would miss his wealth of experience.
She expressed her condolence to the Laro family and the government and people of Kwara state, as well as the diplomatic community.
Dabiri-Erewa prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings, be with his family and reward him with al-janah firdaus.