Patrick Dele Cole, Nigerian diplomat and journalist, dies at 86

Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, a prominent Nigerian diplomat, journalist, and statesman, has died in London at the age of 86. His passing has drawn tributes from high-ranking officials, including President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Cole held several significant roles throughout his career. He served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Brazil and Argentina and was a Special Adviser on International Relations to President Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007. In the media sector, he was the Managing Director of the Daily Times, where he was noted for promoting editorial independence and press accountability.

A political figure, Cole was a presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party in the early 1990s. He was also recognized as a leader within the Niger Delta region, with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) declaring a seven-day mourning period. His academic background included studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.