Statement on the Passing of Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

Statements

June 5, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and la Francophonie, along with her colleagues the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health and the Honourable Patricia A. Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, issued the following statement on the passing of Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):

“We would like to pay our respects to Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends on this sad day.

“Dr. Osotimehin was a fearless advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls everywhere, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights. He did not shy away from opposition or complex issues and was determined to fight for the rights of women and girls to make decisions affecting their own lives.

“He brought his exceptional intellect and leadership capacity to UNFPA and his willingness to engage with many different groups in civil society, especially young people and women, was a key reason for his success in his many different roles.

“Babatunde, as he was commonly known, was a physician and public health expert. He was named Executive Director of UNFPA in January 2011. Prior to that he was Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by his passing.”

Contacts

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
marie-emmanuelle.cadieux@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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2017-06-05