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Transition: The Life and Times of Seasoned Diplomat, Ibukunolu Babajide

Published

3 years ago

June 22, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A sad day it was on June 18, 2023, when the cold hands of death descended on and snatched a loving and near perfect gentleman, Ibukunolu Alao Olatokunbo Babajide, popularly and fondly known as IBK by friends, colleagues and family members.

Agile, lively and everyone’s buddy, Chief Babajide was returning to his base in South Sudan from the United States of America when he gave up the ghost during the flight, leaving behind a thriving career, rooted in humanity, philanthropism, loving family and a circle of friends anchored on camaraderie.

Born in 1961, August 3 to be precise, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Babajide, Chief Babajide’s 62 years of existence on planet earth, was eventful, inspiring and and highly innovative. He exhibited unequivocal talents of an astute, and energetic man, full of life, a prompt solution provider to everyone around him irrespective of tribe or country of origin, class or creed and portrayed high level of billiance and success. He cared for everyone.

Chief Obiora, Mr. Inaju and IBK at a UN function in South Sudan

Chief Babajide started his educational sojourn at the Lagos Baptist Academy in 1972, and graduated with the set of 1977.

It is instructive to note that Chief Babajide’s academic life was as brilliant and excellent as what he eventually became in his entire professional life. A proud alumnus of the great Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife where he studied Law between 1978 and 1982, obtaining a Bachelors of Law (LL.B) before proceeding to Law School.

Chief with former Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Obinna with Nigeria community Chairman, Agunnaya

His quest for continuous learning and more knowledge brought him back to the ivory tower in 1984 to pursue a Masters Degree also in Law and of the same Obafemi Awolowo University. He finished in flying colours in 1985.

IBK and the professional environment are like five and six as he dedicated his life to the pursuit of credible legacy, using the instrument of his educational and residual intelligence.

Patron IBK, Chief Obiora with Nigeria community in South Sudan

After his his graduation from the Law School, Babajide was called to the Bar, and superimposed the law profession in Nigeria for 26 years spanning 1983 to 2009. In between, the legal luminary was also an influential name at the prestigious Lincoln Inn, BAR OF England, exuding professionalism for an upward of 20 years between 1990 and 2010.

He was also a trial judge, attoney and prosecutor attached to the International Criminal Tribunal based in Rwanda from 1998 to 2010. He was purely a master of multitasking.

Chief IBK with Nigerian embassy staff and Nigerian community members

Again, between 2010 and 2023 when he passed away, Chief Babajide was a Senior Legal Advisor with the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in South Sudan.

Nigerian Union in South Sudan observing a moment for IBK

Friends, colleagues, well wishers and family members have described Chief Babajide, who is also called BABA IBK as as an accomplished professional, a family-oriented man and a true leader. They recalled that during the sittings of the tribunal on the Rwandan genocide, he was so passionate at getting justice for the victims, and see that perpetrators of crime against humanity are brought to book. Of course, his passion paid off as he got reprieve for victims, and conviction for indeed he got some of the criminals convicted and they are serving their terms.

Nigerian Independence Day with Prince Adesanya and IBK

His quest to dish out humanitarian tendencies was also as strong as his passion to see that justice is given to victims of injustice. As a result, as part of his career growth, he was a humanitarian officer, touching lots of lives, spreading love, and ensuring that the milk of human kindness dropped to as many that comes in conta t with either on a personal of corporate capacity. His arms of love were open to all and sundry; Nigerian or foreigner while his diplomatic assignments lasted.

It was really a worthy 62 years of service you gave to your community, state, Nigeria and the whole at large. Though you are gone, your legacy lives on, and will remain an en encyclopedia of some sort.

Nigeria community in South Sudan observes a minute silence for IBK

Adieu Baba IKB. The world will surely miss you, buy is consoled by the fact that the footprints you left on the sand of time are indelible.

Featured

Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu As Foreign Affairs Minister

Published

5 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Eric

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The announcement was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).

The appointment followed the resignation of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in preparations for the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s elevation marks a return to a more senior role within Nigeria’s foreign service architecture, having previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Her new appointment places her at the helm of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements, where she is expected to oversee the country’s foreign policy direction, strengthen international partnerships, and advance economic diplomacy objectives.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who stepped down to participate in the 2027 elections.

“Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The Presidency noted that the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy framework for greater efficiency and stronger global engagement. It added that the new minister is expected to deepen diplomatic relations, promote Nigeria’s national interest, and ensure the welfare of Nigerians abroad remains a priority.

In the same announcement, President Tinubu also nominated Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, subject to Senate confirmation.

Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations. He is a seasoned diplomat with over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign affairs system and has held key postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi.

The Presidency said the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture and improve the country’s global diplomatic engagement.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a lawyer, diplomat, and former beauty queen who has had a long career in public service and international diplomacy.

She was born on 5 August 1967 in Anambra State and studied law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.

Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio in Spain, as well as postgraduate diplomas in Human Rights and International Relations from the Berg Institute, Madrid, and in Dynamics of Conflict and Cooperation from the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu previously served as Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Diaspora Matters and later became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain from 2012 to 2015, where she also represented the country at the UN World Tourism Organization. She earlier served as Ambassador to Ghana.

She was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, where she supported Nigeria’s external affairs portfolio, including diplomacy, consular engagement, and international relations strategy. She has now been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Nairametrics

Featured

2027: Lagos APC Guber Aspirant Rejects Hamzat As Consensus Candidate

Published

16 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Eric

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Samuel Ajose, has declared that the endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) will not stand.

GAC, regarded as the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, endorsed Hamzat, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The decision was reached during a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, indicating an early alignment within the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Speaking after the session, GAC leader, Tajudeen Olusi, said members unanimously agreed on Hamzat, expressing confidence in his ability to sustain and build on the state’s developmental progress.

Olusi explained that the meeting was convened to deliberate on the party’s forthcoming primaries and assess the governorship position ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking about the GAC adoption of Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus 2027 governorship candidate on Arise News on Tuesday, Ajose said that Sanwo-Olu and others are trying to force President Tinubu into making a decision.

“I don’t think our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is giving in to what they are doing.

“What they are just trying to do is to coerce him into taking a decision, and I don’t think that decision will stand.”

Featured

2027: Obi, South-East Leaders Meet Jonathan Behind Closed Doors

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2026

Eric

A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, on Monday, consulted former President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with the former president in Abuja. He led a delegation of South-East political leaders to the meeting, including serving and former lawmakers, as well as former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the former Anambra State governor said the visit was part of ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Notable South-East leaders have come in consultation with our respected former president. That is basically what it is—on the 2027 elections and, overall, about Nigeria,” Obi said.

Obi has been holding meetings with political heavyweights across the country as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the ADC presidential primary for the 2027 general elections.

Last week, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party was in Bauchi with South-East leaders, where they held a closed-door meeting with Bala Mohammed.

Speaking after the meeting, Obi said the visit was focused on building national unity and strengthening cooperation across regions.

“My purpose is to solicit the support and cooperation of His Excellency and the stakeholders of Bauchi and the North-East in our quest to unite this country. We want to have a united country to build a future for our children.

“The country cannot continue the way it is today; we are headed in the wrong direction, and we need to reverse that for everybody. That is the simple purpose of why we are here – to seek the support of the stakeholders of Bauchi in building a new Nigeria that will be of benefit to all,” he added.