The African heritage fraternity is mourning the death of its
friend and colleague, Chief Omotoso Eluyemi, Apena of Ife, High Chief in
IFA, Obatala, Oduduwa.Many of us knew Chief Omotoso as an avid writer and
archaeologist, and at the time of his death he was the Director General of
the National Museums and Monuments of Nigeria.
As recently as 27 January 2006, the Nigerian "Sunday Tribune" wrote:
"If there is a man who has continued to dazzle the nation which repose
confidence in him by his appointment as DG, National Commission for Museums
and Monuments, Dr. Omotoso Eluyemi is he. The performance of Dr. Eluyemi was
so impressive that President Obasanjo had to re-appoint him for the second
term. It is in the record of Nigeria's history that Dr. Eluyemi and his team
ensured the repartriation of the most valuable indigenous artifacts which
were stolen from Nigeria at no expense to the country."
The tragic loss of Chief Eluyemi follows closely on the heels of the
untimely death last year of his colleague and AFRICOM President, Emmanuel
Arinze.
On behalf of AFRICOM's Interim President, Mrs Chedlia Annabi, and the entire
Board of Directors and Secretariat Staff of AFRICOM, we would like to extend
our most heartfelt condolences to Chief Eluyemi's family and his museum
colleagues. It is a tragic loss of a good friend, and a devoted heritage
professional and AFRICOM member. I will personally remember him from our
meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, several years ago, where I was fortunate to share
in his good spirit and kind heart.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Lorna Abungu
Executive Director, AFRICOM
Death of Chief Omotoso Eluyemi
