Henry Adefope

Henry Adefope in the International Olympic Committee

Major General Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope (15 March 1926 – 11 March 2012) was the foreign minister of Nigeria, and an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.^[1]

Adefope was educated at Glasgow University, graduating in general medicine in 1952. He worked as a doctor from 1953 to 1963, and was then commissioned in the Nigerian Army in 1963. He rose to the rank of Major General and served as Director of Medical Services. He later became Minister of Labour (1975–1978) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1978–1979).

Adefope also served in a variety of positions in sports administration, including terms as the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee from 1967 to 1976 and as Vice-President of the Commonwealth Games Federation from 1974 to 1982. In 1985 he was elected to the IOC. While with the IOC, he has been a member of the commissions that selected the host cities for the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games. He was investigated, but exonerated in regards to the 2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal.^[2]

Early life

Henry Adefope was born on 15 March 1926 in Kaduna, Nigeria to Alice Adefope and Chief Adefope.

Education

Adefope was educated at the C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos and Glasgow University graduating in General medicine in 1952. He worked as a doctor from 1953 to 1963 and was then commissioned into the Nigerian army in 1963.

Achievements

Adefope was a foreign minister of Nigeria, an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee. He replaced Sir Adetokumbo Ademola on the IOC. Henry Adefope was commissioned into the Nigerian army in 1963. He rose to the rank of Major General and served as Director of Medical Services. He later became Minister of Labour (1975–1978) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1978–1979).

Family

Adefope was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the father of Femi Adefope, Dotun Okojie, Folake Nedd, Ronke Eso, Seyi Adefope, Niyi Adefope and Toyin Adeyeye.

Death

Henry Adefope died on 11 March 2012 and will be remembered by Nigeria and the Olympic Committee for his outstanding achievements.

References

External links

• IOC member profile