- Body of envoy expected from Spain today
President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have expressed shock over the demise of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Chief Ademola Rasaq Seriki,
The envoy, who was also the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), passed on yesterday in Madrid, Spain, after a brief illness. He was 63.
Others who commiserated with his family include Lagos GAC Secretary, Alhaji Mutiu Are, former High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and APC candidate for Lagos West Senatorial District, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule.
The statement by Seriki’s family reads: “It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude to Almighty Allah that we announce the loss of our much-loved and admired patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, His Excellency, Ambassador Demola Seriki, on December 15, 2022.”
A highly placed source said Sanwo-Olu has sent an aircraft to bring his remains home.
Sympathisers thronged his residence in Lagos and that of his in-law, Chief Akanni Okoya, Aare of Lagos, in Lekki to commiserate with the family.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari hailed Seriki’s hard work, dedication to duty and patriotic zeal for the country, having served in several capacities at the national level.
“President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to the family of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) whose passing has left the government in shock. He also had a concurrent accreditation as a Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
“President Buhari sympathises with friends and professional colleagues of the nationalist, who distinguished himself in public service, working variously as Minister of State, Interior, Minister of State, Defence, Minister of State, Agriculture and Water Resources, and supervising Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
“President Buhari vividly recalls his meeting with the late Ambassador Seriki exuding his enterprising nature and patriotic zeal during his Official Visit to Madrid, Spain in June this year, a tour of duty where he succumbed to the fate of all mortals.”
Asiwaju Tinubu described Seriki’s death as a national loss of a patriot. He said his demise was equally a personal loss to him and the entire progressive community. A statement by Tinubu’s Media aide, Tunde Rahman, said he (Tinubu) had lost a friend, associate and patriot who served the country in various capacities.
The statement reads: “I’m deeply saddened and disturbed by the passing in the early hours of Thursday of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Ademola Rasaq Seriki.
“A Nigerian patriot and prominent Lagosian, Ambassador Seriki was my friend, brother and close associate. He served Lagos and Nigeria in various capacities, the icing on the cake being his appointments as Minister of the Federal Republic and much later as Ambassador to Spain till his death. Indeed, Ambassador Seriki died in active service.
“He made invaluable contributions to Lagos in all spheres – economic, political, social, traditional, and religious. Popularly called Otun-Are, his traditional title in Lagos, Seriki was visible on the social scene and within the Islamic community where he was respected as a devout and knowledgeable Muslim, as he was influential in politics.
“In politics, he played important parts in the struggle for democracy and within our progressive front for which he will always be remembered. Seriki would have been on the hustings with us, but for his ambassadorial work.
“We are all deeply touched by this unexpected passing. I must, however, offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, particularly his wives and children. I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari who graciously appointed him as an ambassador as a mark of honour to us in Lagos.
“I mourn with the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is from his immediate constituency. While commiserating with his friends and associates, I also sympathise with the people of Lagos State for we have lost an eminent son of the state. May Almighty Allah grant repose to his soul and protect all that he left behind. Amin.”
The PDP presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar said the late envoy served the country meritoriously. In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, read in part: “The late Ambassador Seriki was a patriot who served the country meritoriously in different capacities.”
Atiku added: “Ambassador Seriki was a consummate politician whose genteel mannerism bore a distinguishing trademark in all assignments he undertook.”
The PDP’s presidential candidate prayed for a gentle repose of the deceased soul and prayed for his family, associates, and Lagos State government to find the fortitude to bear the loss of an outstanding son.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Seriki’s death as painful, shocking and a big loss to Lagos and Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomats, and Nigerians in the Diaspora.
He said the deceased’s contribution to the country’s growth and development during his time as minister in different capacities, and now Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, will continue to be a reference point in the nation’s development trajectory.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sympathy to the family, friends, and political associates of the Chief Demola Seriki.
“Chief Seriki’s death is a big loss to Lagos State and Nigeria, especially the diplomatic community. I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give the family, friends, political associates, and the people of Lagos Island, and the country the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Speaker of the House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa described Seriki’s death as shocking beyond description. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, reads: “The death of Demola Seriki is shocking beyond description. It is difficult to describe the pain and heartbreak Seriki’s death has brought to us. Personally, I am devastated. I lost a brother who loved his country and showed that passion to see it succeed.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly mourns with the bereaved family of our dear Ambassador, his friends and associates.”
State APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said Seriki was respected and deeply loved by all. A statement by Ojelabi’s media aide, Mrs. Omobola Akingbehin, described hius death as painful, “lamenting that he left us when we needed him most”.
In his tribute, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji described Seriki as a big brother and mentor, said the death of the Lagos politician was a personal loss to him. He said the late ambassador was a highly refined politician, seasoned administrator, patriotic leader who saw politics and public service as avenue to serve and contribute to nation building.
The Ekiti governor added: “Ambassador Seriki was known for his dedication to a worthy cause. He was a loyal party man and a patriotic Nigerian- always ready to serve. The news of his death is quite shocking, disheartening and painful. Losing such a committed and visionary public servant is a huge loss, not only to his family, friends and political associates, but to the country at large.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila expressed sadness in his tribute, stressing that during his lifetime, Ambassador Seriki dedicated himself to the service of his fatherland and humanity in general.
Deputy Apex Leader, Ndigbo in Lagos State APC Sir Jude Idimogu, said the death of Nigeria’s envoy to Spain, Chief Demola Seriki, came when he was most needed.
Idimogu, a two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that late Seriki died when his grassroots political acumen was needed to actualise ambition of APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu in 2023.
“It is quite unfortunate to lose Seriki, the ambassador we have representing us in Spain. He is very young, this death is really untimely. This is the time we need his service more but what do we do? It is God that gives and takes.”
Born on Nov. 30, 1959 in Lagos Island, Seriki, the Otun Aare of Lagos, was a well-respected politician, teacher, businessman, financial expert, sports administrator and enthusiast and public administrator.
He had his earlier education in Nigeria and later proceeded for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the United States of America (USA) where he bagged his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Accounting from the City University of New York in the U.S A.
He also had a Diploma in International and Regional Security at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts.
His passion for education earned him laurels back in the United States of America, where he became a licensed Accounting and Business Mathematics teacher with the New York City Board of Education.
Also, the PDP spokesman said that late Seriki led an impactful life.
“With deep sense of loss and total submission to the will of God for an impactful life, the PDP wishes to condole with the family of Seriki.
“We commiserate with friends and associates and pray God gives them the fortitude to bear his passing.
” It is our assurance that his legacies will remain as evidence of a life well spent,” Amode said.
The APC candidate for Lagos West Senatorial District, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, described Seriki’s death as shocking and unfortunate and that it occurred at a time his contribution to nation-building is needed most.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State said: “the late Seriki was an astute politician and a committed party chieftain who will be missed especially by members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
“I pray Allah to grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus and his family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss,” she said.
The former Minister of State for Defence was a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. He was a socialite deeply loved by ‘Lagos Islanders.’
In the Third Republic, Seriki, a man of excellent gait, was the senatorial candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). But, he lost to Senator Kofo Akerele- Bucknor of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). The former governor, the late Sir Michael Otedola, appointed him as chairman of the Lagos Sports Council. In 1999, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2007, he defected to the defunct Action Congress (AC).
Former Minister of State for Defence and Nigeri’s former High Commisioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro said Seriki’s was shocking.
In a statement, Obanikoro described his late friend of many years, political associate and family as a quintessential, committed, and free-spirited person whose absence will be sorely missed by Nigerians and Lagosians, especially APC members.
He said:”Seriki was a pillar, a believer in human capital and societal development, a staunch advocate of better lives for our people, honest and a role model to many. He devoted and committed his lifetime to lifting and developing others”.
GAC Secretary Alhaji Mutiu Are said Seriki’s has inflicted a pain too much to bear.
In a statement, the APC stalwart said:”I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brother and best friend, the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Amb. Demola Seriki.
“Words cannot express the pain and sorrow I feel at this time. I wish this is dream someone can wake me up from. My brother, my friend, and my gist partner, is gone. This pain bites deep. This is a profound loss.
“Seriki was such a charitable and caring person who devoted his life to the growth and development of the country in particular and the world at large.
His humanitarian strides endeared all and sundry to him.
“I will always remember the times we spent together. Whether it was the fun we had on numerous occasions or our usual long conversations; I will always cherish the memories.
“Nothing can really replace this loss, but we find solace in the fact that you are in a better place and all your good and charitable works indicate a fulfilled and enviable life-well-spent.
“Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Your friends, loved ones and posterity shall forever hold you dearly in our hearts.
“It is not unusual to feel the pain and grieving agony, but Demola’s legacy lives on and we shall continue to cherish the pleasant memories we shared.
I pray Allah gives us the incredible strength to get through this tragic time.”
The Nation
