John Paul Ojaojogwu Usman, one of the 100 Nigerians selected for the
entrepreneurship and leadership training in the 2016 Mandela Washington
Fellowship in US died on Saturday June 25th while hiking near the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
A statement by the US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria says John was at the
school studying Civic Leadership. Read the statement announcing his
unfortunate demise below…
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria and our colleagues in the United States were
deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Paul Ojaojogwu Usman. On
June 25, John Paul died due to an accident while hiking near Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he was studying civic
leadership as a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow.
We extend our deepest condolences to John Paul’s family and friends over
this tragic loss. John Paul was a rising star, devoted to the causes
of sustainable development, children’s rights, and peacebuilding in
Nigeria. His selection to the Mandela Washington Fellowship was a
tribute to his drive, talent, and dedication to making his country’s
civil society even stronger. One of John Paul’s professional mentors at
Virginia Tech put it best, “While his time with us was short, he was
well loved.” This young man will be remembered fondly as a great
citizen ambassador of his country. We mourn his passing.