Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Kayode Laro is dead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

The Ministry in a statement on Saturday signed by its spokesperson. Mrs. Francisca Omayuli said Ambassador Kayode Laro died last Friday in Paris, France, after a protracted illness.

The statement read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is deeply saddened to announce the death of Ambassador Kayode Laro on Friday, 11th August, 2023 in Paris, France, after a protracted illness.

“Until his death, Ambassador Kayode Laro was Nigeria’s Ambassador to France with concurrent accreditation to Monaco. He contributed immensely to strengthening Nigeria’s relations with France.

“The Late Ambassador Laro was a career diplomat, whose years in the Nigerian Foreign Service spanned 35 years, from December 1983 – December 2018. His appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to France in 2021, after his retirement from service, was in recognition of his immense contributions to Nigeria’s Foreign Service.

“In the course of his career, late Ambassador Laro served the country in various capacities both at home and abroad, including being a Consul General at the Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta, United States. He distinguished himself in multilateral diplomacy when he served in Nigeria’s Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva. He also served as the Director in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Ambassador Laro was an astute, seasoned and quintessential diplomat, whose contributions to the Nigerian Foreign Service will always be remembered and appreciated.”

The statement added that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria mourns his passing and extends its sympathy and condolences to the family he left behind, praying that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”