Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned Ambassador Dele Cole who died in the earlier hours of Saturday at age of 86, describing him as an intellectual titan, adding that he (Obasanjo) has lost a trusted ally.
Obasanjo in a tribute said the death of Cole was a personal loss and deep sadness, stressing that the counsel of the late journalist shaped pivotal moments in the nation’s history
‘It is with a profound sense of personal loss and deep sadness that I write this tribute to honour my dear friend, brother, and compatriot, Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, who has returned to his Maker at the age of 86. 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’, Obasanjo wrote.
He stated that their paths closely intertwined decades ago during his tenure as military Head of State when Dele served in the Cabinet Office, adding that it was it was during his democratic administration as President of Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007, that their bond reached its zenith
‘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’, Obasanjo added.
‘Advising a President who is himself fiercely passionate about foreign policy is no easy feat – a reality Dele often humorously acknowledged. Yet, his sophisticated grasp of global dynamics made him an indispensable linchpin of our foreign policy machinery’, he added
‘He travelled extensively with me, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to repair Nigeria’s broken diplomatic ties, and helped formulate the robust strategies that ultimately brought about our historic Paris Club debt relief. Dele brought unmatched tact, brilliant economic insight, and unyielding patriotism to the table’.
‘His contributions to the Nigerian polity remain monumental. Beyond his advisory role, he revolutionised African journalism as the Managing Director of the Daily Times, introducing an independent editorial board system that insulated media policy from political interference’.
‘His masterful stints as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina further cemented his legacy as a titan of public service who proved that integrity and public duty can coexist beautifully’, Obasanjo said.
‘This departure leaves a massive, heartbreaking void, especially as it follows the painful loss of his beloved wife and family matriarch, Pastor Mina Dugoabere Cole, only a few years ago. It is heavy to contemplate that both columns of the Cole family support are now gone. Yet, we find solace in knowing that they are now reunited in eternity, resting peacefully together in the bosom of the Almighty’.
‘To his children – Tonye and his siblings – my fatherly advice is to stand firm, united, and proud. The greatest monument you can build in honour of your father is to preserve his towering legacy of integrity, patriotism, and selfless service. Do not let the torch he carried so boldly burn out; instead, let his principles guide your steps as you continue to uplift humanity’.
‘May the Almighty God grant the entire Cole family and the people of the Kalabari Kingdom the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May the noble soul of Ambassador Dele Cole find eternal rest’, Obasanjo wrote.
