‘Otobo joined the United Nations after a distinguished career in the diplomatic service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During the course of his diplomatic career, he served as a policy planning Staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he represented Nigeria in several countries and participated in various bilateral political and multilateral economic negotiations’
THE management of Newstide Publications Limited, publishers of Prime Business Africa, PBA, has announced the death of Ambassador Ejeviome Eloho Otobo, who was a director of the multimedia company’s board. He was 70.
The Nigerian-born diplomat, Ambassador Otobo was found dead on Thursday afternoon, according to police source in Tuckahoe, in Westchester County, New York, United States, where he had been residing for many years. Details about the circumstance of death is yet to be provided by the NY police.
A statement from the CEO of Newstide Publications and Publisher of PBA, Dr Marcel Mbamalu, said Otobo was also a “member of the Editorial Board of Prime Business Africa where he made invaluable contributions in editorial matters of the online business newspaper.”
Dr Mbamalu continues, “The Board and Management of the company are in deep sorrow over the passing of Ambassador Eloho Otobo, a renowned diplomat, who has made tremendous contribution to the success of this company, especially with regards to his participation in company Board meetings and those of the Editorial Board. We will miss him greatly.
“In the past one year, Otobo has equally been a key player in conducting the Prime Business Africa’s monthly webinar tagged, ‘Socio-Economic and Entrepreneurship Development Series’ (SEEDS), a flagship programme of the multimedia company aimed at providing discourse on Africa’s socio-economic development. Otobo, with his rich experience, together with other experts, used the SEEDS by PBA to ventilate ideas on practical tips for driving development of African economies, especially in the post-COVID pandemic era.
According to Dr Mbamalu, the late Ambassador Otobo had an interaction with him two weeks ago and made some intellectual inputs on what he thought would be the best way to celebrate the anniversary of Prime Business Africa in July.
Until Otobo’s sudden death, Amb Otobo had been planning to host the Prime Business Africa team in his New York home, an idea he had seriously mooted several times since June 2021, revealed Mbamalu, adding:
“The intellectual bent he brings to bear on debates at board meetings and in my personal discussions with him was unparalleled and he always insisted on doing the right things at the right time. Otobo came across as not just a diplomat and prolific author but a great teacher and journalist, the traits that drew and endeared him to me, hence our strong professional bond right from my days as News Editor at The Guardian.
“He featured on Prime Business Africa’s monthly SEEDS webinar as a strong voice and willing driver of change in Africa. We pray that his youthful wife and hardworking children will find solace in the great legacy which Ambassador Otobo left behind,” Dr. Mbamalu stated.
“As prolific writer and an expert in economic and corporate governance, Otobo was widely published with his areas of research and writing including governance, public service reforms, institutional development, regulatory policy and management, peace building and international trade. He authored Consolidating Peace in Africa: The Role of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (2015), and Africa in Transition: A New Way of Looking at Progress in the Region (2017). This was nominated for the Grand prix of Literary Associations Award, 2018 in the Research category. He equally co-edited African Development in the 21st Century: Adebayo Adedeji’s Theories and Contributions (2015). He published in the stable of Prime Business Africa, blockbuster articles on political economy and governance relations in the continent.
“Otobo joined the United Nations after a distinguished career in the diplomatic service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During the course of his diplomatic career, he served as a policy planning staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he represented Nigeria in several countries and participated in various bilateral political and multilateral economic negotiations.
“Between 2014 and 2016, he also served as a member of the External Experts Advisory Board of the Informing Conflict Prevention, Resolution and Response: The Role of Media in Violent Conflict (INFOCORE) Project funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration.
“He had also consulted for the African Union Mission to the United Nations in New York on issues of Peacebuilding.
Details of his burial will be made available later, according to a source in his family.
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