By Becky Usman

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamalli, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, at the age of 42. Notably, he also held the title of Magajin Garin Zazzau and was the biological younger brother of the Emir of Zazzau.

According to an official statement from the Media and Publicity officer of the Zazzau emirate council, Mansur Nuhu Bamalli passed away at a private hospital in Lagos while en route to Morocco. The statement further conveyed that details about the funeral prayers will be announced at a later time.

The late Ambassador Bamalli is survived by his wife and two children. His appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco was made by former President Muhammadu Buhari just a year ago.

In a letter dated October 7 and signed by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, it was stated that the appointment was a recognition of Ambassador Bamalli’s decades of meritorious service to Nigeria in the field of the Nigerian Foreign Service. The letter also indicated that an investiture ceremony would be held in his honor.

Before his diplomatic appointment, Ambassador Bamalli held the position of Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It’s worth noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a notice for the recall of Nigeria’s ambassadors, both career and non-career envoys, serving in over 300 foreign missions worldwide. However, these diplomats have yet to return to Nigeria due to logistical challenges, including the need to secure Authority to Incur Expenditures (AIEs) for their return passages.