Remarks at the
Homecoming Memorial for Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye – By Ambassdor (Dr.) Robin
Renee Sanders
Good evening and condolences to the
family, friends, colleagues and embassy staff of the late honorable Professor –
Adebowale Adefuye. When I paid my
respects at the residence last weekend, I was asked by the family to say a few
words this evening:
-- Because they thought I was one of
the few Americans in Washington that knew Ade before he became Nigeria's
Ambassador to the United States.
--Because we were also professional colleagues (as part
of my ambassadorship overlapped with his); and we worked together on a number
of things – including the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, the genesis for
the current framework between our two governments;
-- And, because, more importantly, I
knew him as a friend -- a friend he called Omowale,
which really meant a lot to me because it means "one who has come back
home;" a friend who he could have quarterly chats with where there was no
"ask," no "policy" discussion, no "request". It was just that safe space… that space
where, for any of us that have held these types of jobs, is ever so important.
I say all of that because tonight, I
am going to speak in the "voice of a friend" in the "voice of
someone who wants his wonderful wife of 40 years and his children to know just
how "well" he was thought of here in the United States. Note I said
the United States, not just in Washington.
In addition to the condolence call from President Buhari to Mrs.
Adefuye, tributes of honor have come in from around the country, including from
the U.S. Congress, and from all of you by your presence here this evening.
In sum Ade was: A consummate, hard-working, dedicated
diplomat who loved both his family and his country with an intense and fierce
synergistic blend that made him . . . "tireless." He was clearly one
of the most respected, active foreign diplomats in Washington from any region
of the world. He was a son of the Continent for sure, and a nationalist for
Nigeria and its people. Even if you
disagreed with him on some issues (and we did as friends do), you knew that his
goal was always for Nigeria, for the well-being of his beloved nation; the best
for Nigeria was ever upmost in his heart.
It is said that you can measure a
person's life not by those who knew him, but by those who cared about him –
family, friends, and colleagues.
So… Let's think about this full
Chancery this evening as a sanctuary for the spirit.
--That was the person;
-- That was the Ambassador; and,
--That was the dedicated and beloved
husband and father.
Rest in Peace my friend…My colleague
as we honor the African tradition of calling your name three times (please join
me) – Ade Adefuye, Ade Adefuye, Ade Adefuye.
Rest in peace, so that your family
(Caroline, Tolu, Bunmi, and Baba) can transition to a world without you, but
with the comfort and solace of knowing you are watching over them; {that you
are never far away}, and that the memory of you will sustain them no matter
what they face, no matter where they go -- you will always be there with them.
May Peace also be with everyone here
this evening – Thank you
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