Ambassador Olugbenga Ayodeji Ashiru

Email: gbengaashiru@hotmail.com

Date of Birth: 27th August, 1948.

Place of Birth: Ijebu-Ode

State of Origin: Ogun State

Nationality: Nigeria

Profession: Foreign Service Officer

Marital Status: Married

Spouse: Dr. (Mrs.) Omokehinde Adebola AShiru (nee Dina)

Children: Four Boys,

Previous Appointments

October 2005 ?September 2007: High CommissionerExtraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to die Republic of South Africa, the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Swaziland.

March 2002- September 2005: Under Secretary (Regions and International Organisations) Ministry of Foreign Affairs,;.Maputo Street, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria .

March 1999-March 2002: Director of Regions Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria.

May 1991-March 1999: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

October 1988-March 1991: Deputy Director (European Affairs Department) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria.

December 1985-September 1988: Minister Plenipotentiary Nigeria High Commission, London, United Kingdom.

August 1984 - November 1985: . Charge D?Affaires, a.i. of Nigeria to the Central African Republic, Bangui.

October 1982-August 1984: Minister Counsellor Acting Head of Department: (American Affairs Department) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria.

August 1979-September 1982: Senior Counsellor Head of Chancery Embassy of Nigeria, Stockholm, Sweden.

August 1977-August 1979: First Secretary, (Administration Department) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lagos, Nigeria.

June 1974 - July 1977: First Secretary Embassy of Nigeria, Tokyo. Japan.

June 1972 - May 1974: Third/ Second Secretary, (African affairs Department) "Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lagos. Nigeria.

General National Assignments

As Pioneer under Secretary (Regional and International Organisations). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador O. A. Ashiru had the privilege to handle the following national assignments:

? Handled the responsibilities of managing the Bilateral Relations between Nigeria and all the countries with which Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and the Americas Regions of the world.

? In essence, he was managing relations with the whole world except Africa.

? Handled issues such as plea for Debt Relief/Cancellation from our Creditor Nations.

? Plea for Repatriation of stolen funds.

? Attracting Foreign Investments into Nigeria.

? Good political image for Nigeria abroad and' sustaining cordial Diplomatic Relations between Nigeria and all countries in those Regions of the world

? Managing relations with the United Nations Organisations as well as all the Specialised Agencies of the United Nations.

? Defending and articulating all issues of importance to Nigeria and the rest of Africa in the United Nations e.g. problems of under-development, poverty alleviation. Fighting HIV and AIDs, Human Rights issues, Finance and Development, etc.

? Managing and arranging all Presidential or Heads of Government. State and official visits (Incoming and Outgoing).

AD-HOC National Assignments

1999 - Member of National Committee on Presidential Visits;

2002 - Secretary, National Committee in Charge with preparation of former President Bill Clinton State Visit to Nigeria.

2003 -Member Presidential committee on preparation of Commonwealth Heads, of Government (CHOGM) in Abuja - December 2003.

Oct. 2003 - Secretary, National Committee charged with responsibility of preparing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 State Visit to Nigeria in December 2003.

International Conferences Attended

? Member of Nigeria?s delegation to the 4"m Regular Session of the United Nations' General Assembly in New York, U.SA (October 1992)

? Member of Nigeria?s delegation to the 5"m Regular Session of the U)1ited Nations' General Assembly in New York, U.S.A (October 2002)

? Member of Nigeria?s delegation to the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March 2003)

? Member of Nigeria's delegation to the 58th Regular Session of the United Nations' General Assembly in New York, U.S.A (October 2003)

? Member of Nigeria?s delegation to the Non-Aligned Ministerial Conference ?in Durban, South Africa. (17 -18 august 2004)

? Member of Nigeria?s delegation to the 59th Regular Session of the