[Breaking News] Former UNECA Chief Adebayo Adedeji Is Dead

Pioneer Executive Director of the Addis Ababa based United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and undersecretary general of the UN, Adebayo Adedeji, is dead.

He died in Lagos at the age Of 87 after a protracted illness. He was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on 21 December 1930.

His death, in the late hours of Wednesday, was announced by a family member who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

After obtaining B. Sc. and PhD in Economics at London School of Economics and an MPA from Harvard University, Mr Adedeji joined the University of Ife, where he became a professor of economics at the age of 36.

Mr Adedeji was the ECA boss between 1975 -1978, after which he was appointed the UN Undersecretary General. He remained in the ECA post until 1991.

One of Africa’s foremost proponents of regional integration, Mr Adedeji was Nigeria’s post-civil federal commissioner for economic development and reconstruction, from 1971.

He played key roles in the establishment of the Economic Commission for West Africa States (ECOWAS). He also inspired the formation of the National Youth Service Corps in 1973 and became the pioneer Chairman.