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- Mu’azu Abdul-Malik (1940-2012)
Mu’azu Abdul-Malik (1940-2012)
Mr. Mu’azu Abdul-Malik, former General Counsel and Assistant Director-General of OFID, died Friday, August 10, in Abuja, Nigeria. In accordance with Muslim rites, he was buried the next day, August 11, in his home town.
In a statement, OFID Director-General, Mr. Suleiman J. Al-Herbish expressed deep condolence and transmitted the sympathy of the OFID family. Mr. Al-Herbish referred to Mu’azu as a friend. He spoke about the man’s loyalty, his competence and decency, recalling that Abdul-Malik served this institution meritoriously. Indeed in conversation with Management and staff members, there was deep sadness in the voice of the Director-General.
Mr. Abdul-Malik spent 23 years at OFID. On his retirement, December, 2006, OFID staff members assembled in the Atrium to bid him farewell. The quiet, soft-spoken Abdul-Malik told colleagues that these had been “23 most pleasant years, during which [he] was privileged to relate cordially to one and all.” He thanked colleagues for “lasting friendships and smooth cooperation.”
The Director-General had always described Abdul-Malik as dedicated and committed to OFID. Again last Friday, Mr. Al-Herbish spoke of the man’s decency, as a human being; his honesty; clarity of vision; and his sense of mission and sense of humor. “He never wasted your time,” said Mr. Al-Herbish, and, “in giving his advice, he put matters in perspective with a lucidity that is uncommon.” The Director-General disclosed that Abdul-Malik was at the forefront of efforts to expand OFID’s mandate. “He worked tirelessly with colleagues to develop OFID and take it to new frontiers,” the Director-General said.
Mu’azu Abdul-Malik began civil service life in his native Nigeria, following graduation from the University of London, 1964; the passing of the Bar Finals; and the prestigious Call to the Bar, January, 1966. After a brief period in private legal practice, he joined the Federal Nigerian Ministry of Justice in Lagos, serving in various functions and on numerous Nigerian delegations to a wide variety of international conferences.
Mr. Abdul-Malik described a “high point” of his career as close involvement in finalizing the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 1984, he joined OFID which was then only eight years old.
Mr. Abdul-Malik is survived by his wife and three children.