5th June, 2017
Former Nigeria’s Health Minister, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin is dead. He died on Sunday at 68.
He was the Executive Director of UNFPA.
His death has been confirmed by family and UNFPA sources.
A two paragraph statement issued on Monday by Dr. Babajide Osotimehin on behalf of the family, said the UNFPA’s boss died on Sunday.
The family said that the burial arrangements would be announced later.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that before he became health minister, Osotimehin was the Director-General of the National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and was also a former Provost of the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan.
He became the CEO of UNFPA on 19 November 2010 to serve a four-year term and was re-appointed on 21 August 2014.
He was born on 6th February 1949.
Late Osotimehin attended Igbobi College between 1966 and 1971.
After his medical studies at the University of Ibadan, he received a doctorate in medicine from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1979.
Ostotimehin has consistently advanced the cause of youth and gender, within the context of reproductive health and rights.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to the social media to express their condolences.
The Ministry of Budget, Kaduna state, tweeted: “We commiserate with the family of former Nigerian Minister of Health and Head of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin, a friend of KDSG who died on Sunday.’’
Official Sadok said: “Still in shock! Babatunde Osotimehin, former health minister is dead!! Nigeria indeed has lost a gem. RIP.’’
“RIP our dear Renowned Babatunde Osotimehin…Condolences to the family!,’’ Prince Obi tweeted.