James Sowole in Akure
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece and Australia, Prof Oluwadare Agbi, wednesday died at his house in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the age of 73.
Agbi who was Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was also the Asiwaju of Akure and a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT).
Family sources said Agbi slumped and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he gave up the ghost.
The sources said Agbi complained of complications around 3:00a.m. and was to be rushed to the Federal Medical Centre but slumped and died before he could get to the hospital.
Agbi, who was said to have been battling with kidney problem for some years, was pronounced dead on getting to an undisclosed hospital.
He was born on May 2, 1945, to the family of Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Elizabeth Agbi in Akure.
In a statement, the South West zone of the PDP described Agbi as a committed party leader who remained loyal to its goals and aspirations.
The PDP in a statement signed by the Zonal Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, said Agbi was at the last party’s convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he contributed his quota towards ensuring the successful emergence of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubaka
“Until his death, he remained the Chairman of the Elders Committee of the Ondo State chapter of the party, a position he used to engender cohesion within the party.
“He will be missed tremendously, we condole with his bereaved family and pray that God in His infinite mercies will give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Fadaka said.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday joined other eminent Nigerians and members of the academic and diplomatic communities to mourn the passing of Agbi.
Akeredolu described late Agbi, a professor of diplomatic history, as a disciplined and intelligent scholar who rose to the pinnacle of his academic career at a young age.
Stating that his death is a shock to the people of Ondo State and the entire country, the governor added that the deceased will be missed by many people.
