A retired top intelligence officer of the National Intelligence Agency and former Nigerian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Sheikh Uthman AbdulAzeez, is dead.
AbdulAzeez passed away on Saturday night after a brief illness. He was 71.
The death of the Ilorin-born diplomat and former National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union was announced on Sunday by the incumbent IEDPU President, Alhaji AbdulMumin AbdulMalik.
AbdulMalik said, “With heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I announce the passing of a one time National President of the IEDPU, Amb. Sheikh Abdulazeez Uthman.
“We lost this servant of Allah to the cold hands of death after a brief illness on Saturday. He will be buried on Sunday (today).
“Please remember the family of the deceased in prayers during this traumatic period of the loss of their loved one. May Allah grant Amb. Sheikh Abdulazeez Uthman Al-Janat Firdaus.”
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the late ambassador as a man of great character whose life positively impacted his community.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor prayed Allah to forgive AbdulAzeez’s shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also expressed deep sadness over what he described as a “deeply painful and irreplaceable” loss.
Saraki described AbdulAzeez as a seasoned diplomat, distinguished intelligence expert, respected elder statesman, and pillar of unity.
“His life was marked by selfless service to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large,” Saraki said in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir.
He further stated, “May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus among the righteous.”
Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the death as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity.
In a condolence message signed by his Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir commiserated with the deceased’s family, IEDPU leadership and members, as well as friends and sympathisers.
Born on February 18, 1952, in Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulAzeez began his education at Native Authority Primary School, Bussa, where he obtained his First School Certificate in 1966.
He trained as a teacher at the then Ilorin Teachers College (now Sheikh Abdulkadir College) between 1967 and 1971.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Abdullahi Bayero College of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1977, a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Jos, and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2002.
He also attended the then National War College, now National Defence College, Abuja, where he received two awards for outstanding performance.
AbdulAzeez served his National Youth Service Corps at the Advanced Teachers College, Sokoto, between 1977 and 1978, where he was retained as a lecturer and later became Head of the Geography Department.
In 1985, he joined the Federal Government as a pioneer staff of the National Intelligence Agency, rising to the top echelon of the service.
Between 2000 and 2001, he served as Director of Financial Crimes in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Drugs and Financial Crimes and was part of the team whose efforts led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He served Nigeria in various intelligence and diplomatic roles in Egypt, Angola, Liberia, and China.
AbdulAzeez was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to China in 2010. During his tenure, he hosted the launch of Nigeria’s satellite on December 21, 2011.