OFFICIAL TRIBUTE TO HIS EXCELLENCY KAYODE LARO, THE AMBASSADOR OF NIGERIA TO FRANCE – EMBASSY OF NIGERIA, PARIS, FRANCE
The Embassy of Nigeria, Paris regrets to announce the passing of our beloved Ambassador/Head of Mission- His Excellency, Kayode Laro on 11 August 2023.
Ambassador Laro was assigned to France in 2021 after a well-deserved retirement from service following his immense contribution to the foreign service. Prior to his resumption as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of France with concurrent accreditation to the Principality of Monaco, he served in various capacities, some of which include, Consul General at the Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta, United States; Nigeria’s Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva; as well as the Director of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In all of these roles, Ambassador Laro distinguished himself in no ordinary way.
His diplomatic career spanned (from 1983 – 2018) 35 years of active service with remarkable contributions in the field of global peace, security and international development. As an astute statesman, Ambassador Laro displayed unparalleled level of knowledge and served as a bridge in fostering strategic partnerships and forging salient alliances geared towards nation building.
Under Ambassador Laros’s leadership in France, landmark achievements and engagements were recorded in the bi-lateral space covering areas such as education; creative industry; business; agriculture; digital innovation; international development and the diaspora community.
His most recent engagement was hosting the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) during the President’s first official trip out of Nigeria as President and at the Summit for New Global Financing Pact in Paris in June 2023. In his tribute to Ambassador Laro, President Tinubu stated that “Our nation has lost an exemplary diplomat. I will always hold cherished memories of my interactions with him during my attendance at the New Global Financial Pact Summit in France this June. His unwavering dedication and strong sense of duty left an indelible mark. May his legacy continue to inspire us to strive for a more harmonious and prosperous world”
As a Mission, it is without any iota of doubt that Ambassador Laro’s leadership has been transformational. Our nation and the international community have indeed lost an icon and a rare gem. His legacy is one we hold dear to heart and will continue to cherish and uphold.
In honoring the memory of our late Ambassador Laro, the Embassy of Nigeria in Paris has opened a condolence register. Members of the international and diaspora community are welcome to sign this condolence register from August 14 – 18 2023, between 11am and 3pm.
Signed: Embassy of Nigeria, Paris
August 16, 2023