Nigerian diplomat Christopher Mbanefo is dead

Renowned Nigerian diplomat, Christopher Mbanefo, is dead, his family has announced.

Mr Mbanefo, a professional accountant and educational administrator, passed away at the age of 95.

“With heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life of extraordinary service, the Mbanefo family announces the passing of our beloved patriarch, Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo, Odu III of Onitsha, who was called to the Lord this December,” Victor Mbanefo, his son, said in a statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday.

Victor said the family would soon communicate Mr Mbanefo’s burial arrangements. The statement did not indicate when and where Mr Mbanefo died as well as cause of his death.

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Mbanefo at a glance

Born 11 June 1930, Mr Mbanefo hailed from Onitsha, a community in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria.

The nonagenarian served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Ahmadu Bello University.

He was appointed the country’s permanent representative to the UN in 1999 by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo who served as Nigerian president from 1999 to 2007.

Mr Mbanefo was a devoted philanthropist who championed education through the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Center at the University of Lagos.

He had chieftainancy titles in Onitsha and Ife.

Mr Mbanefo was first educated at Saint Patrick’s College, Calabar, Cross River State.

He later trained in the UK, becoming a chartered accountant in the mid-1950s before returning to Nigeria to resume a career in the area.

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He was a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He became the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Mr Mbanefo was a representative for the institute on the governing boards of the International Federation of Accountants and the International Accounting Standards Committee.