The Queen received and held an audience with the High Commissioner from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade CFR, CON at the Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 6 December 2017.
Accompanied by his wife, Mrs Modupe Oguntade, while presenting the letters of credence Ambassador Oguntade delivered a goodwill message from President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR of Nigeria.
It was indeed a colourful and special moment when His Excellency handed in his credentials to Her Majesty, The Queen.
The carriage departed the Buckingham Palace for a light reception at N0. 9 Northumberland Avenue, office of the Nigeria High Commission London.
Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, CFR, CON, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom assumed duty at the Nigeria High Commission on 9th October, 2017. He is a retired Justice of the Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He was born in Ijebu-Ode in the old Western Nigeria on March 10, 1940. He attended Ijebu-Ode Grammar School between 1953 and 1958. Thereafter he proceeded to Holborn College of Law [University of London], UK (1961-1964); and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1965. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on January 15, 1966. He was in private legal practice for 14 years and was appointed a Judge of the Lagos State High Court in 1980, and then the Court of Appeal in 1988, and in May 19 2004, he was elevated to the highest court of the land, Supreme Court of Nigeria where he served meritoriously till March 10, 2010 having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
Undoubtedly, one of the sharpest legal minds that ever sat on the Higher Bench in Nigeria. In his service on the Bench, he made his mark in the advancement of the nation’s legal system, even at great risk to his person. His many strategic postings included Chairman, Lagos State Armed Robbery & Firearms Tribunal, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, Ibadan, and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal in Jos, Lagos, and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He was finally elevated to be Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2004
In the year 2005, Justice Oguntade (rtd) was conferred with the National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and in 2010 Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Justice Oguntade (rtd) was President of the Rotary Club of Ogba in 1985. Between 1992 and 1999, he was the Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and since 1992, he remained Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Lagos till May 2017 when he was appointed as an Ambassador by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a member of the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Island Club, Ikoyi Club, and Yoruba Tennis Club. He is actively interested in church and philanthropic activities.
Ambassador Oguntade is happily married to Modupeola Adewemimo and blessed with children and grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf.
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