Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has mourned the sudden passing away of the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
In a statement issued in Asaba on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa lauded the invaluable contributions of the former Health Minister to the development of the Nigeria health sector.
Governor Okowa noted that Osotimehin, a renowned global public health leader, is globally known for his contributions on sexual and reproductive health, as well as his work on HIV/AIDS when he served as National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Director General.
Said he: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I mourn with the Osotimehin family, UNFPA and NACA over the death Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
“Prof Babatunde Osotimehin will be remembered for his advocacy on the welfare of pregnant women in Nigeria as well as improving the lives of women and young people by promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“As UNFPA Executive Director, Prof. Osotimehin led the organisation’s efforts on HIV prevention, especially among adolescents and young adults, promoting safe sex and protections and ensuring that women and adolescent girls receive HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services”.
Okowa further added that “Prof. Osotimehin contributed immensely to Nigeria’s AIDS response as Minister of Health and as the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS, NACA.
“We have lost a committed health professional and a valued advocate of young people”.
