Dele Cole: Nigeria has lost one of its finest intellectuals — Obasanjo

— Says late ambassador helped rebuild Nigeria’s international relations By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the death of Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, describing him as one of Nigeria’s finest intellectuals and a trusted ally whose contributions to the country’s diplomacy, politics and public service were immense. Obasanjo, in a tribute to the late diplomat, said Cole’s death at the age of 86 was a profound personal loss and a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly given his contributions to the country’s foreign policy and international relations. The former president recalled that his relationship with Cole dated back several decades, when he was military Head of State and the late diplomat worked in the Cabinet Office.

Their relationship deepened during Obasanjo’s civilian administration from 1999 to 2007, when Cole served as his Special Adviser on International Relations. Describing Cole as an indispensable member of his administration’s foreign policy team, Obasanjo said the late diplomat played a significant role in efforts to restore Nigeria’s international standing after years of diplomatic isolation. “Nigeria has lost one of its finest intellectual pillars, and I have lost a trusted ally whose counsel shaped pivotal moments in our nation’s history,” he said.

Obasanjo explained that when he assumed office in 1999, his administration faced the challenge of reintegrating Nigeria into the international community, making Cole’s diplomatic expertise particularly valuable. “When I took office in 1999, Nigeria was emerging from isolation and desperately needed to be reintegrated into the global community. I knew I needed the finest diplomatic minds beside me, which led to his appointment as my Special Adviser on International Relations,” he said.

The former president noted that advising a president with a strong personal interest in foreign policy required exceptional diplomatic skills, adding that Cole’s sophisticated understanding of international affairs made him a crucial member of his administration. According to Obasanjo, Cole travelled extensively with him on official engagements and worked behind the scenes to rebuild Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships and advance the country’s international interests. He also credited the late diplomat with contributing to the diplomatic and economic strategies that culmi…