TRIBUTE TO LATE MRS MARIA DOLLFUSS (1950-2025) The death of Mrs Maria Dollfuss in Amstetten, Austria, at 75 years was very shocking and sad to me , to my family, and to my community in Nigeria. Even after three weeks of her unfortunate passing away on 7th September 2025, and now after her funeral in Austria on 24th September, it is still very difficult and most painful for me to accept her passage or bid farewell to a wonderful , resourceful, and kind-hearted woman, indeed one of the finest Austrian citizens that I ever met in the course of my entire foreign service, spanning some 35 years, in and out of Nigeria. 2. When my wife Sally and I first met Maria at a diplomatic reception, shortly after taking up my appointment as Nigerian Ambassador to Austria in 2004, little did we know that that ordinary chanced encounter would herald long years of memorable friendship that would not only lead to deeper family relationships, but would really positively grow to such level and scope that would impact several lives back home in my native community of Ijesa Isu Ekiti as well as in my own geographical part of Nigeria in Ekiti State, as a whole. 3. Maria was such an interesting, open-hearted, highly affectionate, dependable, and generous person whose loss continues to throw into mourning my family and community at large, where she was cherished and held in great esteem for her numerous good deeds. Thrice, she visited Nigeria because of her belief in us and affection to acquaint with our native background and our country, Nigeria. When in 2006, I muted to Maria about the idea of her travelling for a change to Nigeria on holidays with my wife Sally , since she never travelled to the African continent before, Maria initially hesitated , apparently having discussed it with her family and friends at her Swarovski workplace , who possibly raised apprehensions for her safety, out of concerns influenced by the media hype of the then negative security perceptions in Nigeria. But after my assurances to the contrary, she trusted my words and eventually travelled to Nigeria with Sally in 2006 to make her first journey to Africa, and indeed to Nigera, ending up ultimately in my hometown, Ijesa Isu Ekiti. Upon her return to Austria, after two weeks' trip, Maria came to tell everyone joyfully about her fondness for the beautiful ,serene atmosphere and conducive climate of Nigeria, the simplicity and sincere welcome of Ekiti people, and the warmth and irresistible attractions of my local townspeople, including our traditional monarch, the chiefs, and elders of my community, who were very delighted to see her visiting the town and the family of their important international son, all the way from Europe. She reported how effusively they doted on her and enthusiastically showed her round, in and out of my community. 4. Twice after that initial visit, Maria travelled to Nigeria again, but with even greater friendship, excitement, and bountiful joy to relate with Nigerians she met during her first visit, including the then Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Engineer Segun Oni, who also became Maria's personal friend. Always willing to help, Maria discussed with the Governor, which he mentioned to me later, how she could be of assistance to Ekiti State, in order to impact lives in our rural communities. This interaction with Governor Oni led Maria subsequently to arrange a medical assistance trip back to Ekiti State later, comprising four Austrian doctors in various specialised fields in 2008 for two weeks' duties in four different General Hospitals in Ado Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti, and my hometown Ijesa Isu Ekiti, where they rendered free medical treatments and performed surgical operations to the benefits of those different communities. Their trip, accompanied by Maria herself, to and from Nigeria, at her expense, was an unforgettable philanthropic contribution to healthcare needs in Ekiti State. 5. Not done yet, Maria still went further in 2012 to arrange a shipment of a truckload of medical equipment and drugs from Austria , earmarked for and donated to the General Hospital, Ijesa Isu Ekiti, which were delivered to my community at an official Government ceremony on 24th February 2012. 6. For these acts of kindness and generosity, which no doubts were practical demonstrations of her love for humanity, Mrs Maria Dollfuss has etched her name in the minds and memories of our people, both in my hometown, as well as in my immediate Ekiti State, including among Nigerians who met her. Little wonder about the overwhelming sorrow of our people expressed in outpourings of grief and online condolence messages conveyed to my family and Maria's family in Amstetten, Austria, since 7th September. Her philanthropy and good deeds will therefore remain evergreen in our collective memories. 7. All that I can say painfully, on behalf of my people in Ijesa Isu and Ekiti State, is in these few words : Thank you , Maria, for the opportunity of knowing you in Vienna, and for the appreciable value you added to our family friendship which touched lives in my native hometown of Ijesa Isu and in Ekiti State, Nigeria . May God bless and rest your kind soul. May your memory continue to be a blessing to our people in Nigeria and to Austria, a country you symbolised and projected so wonderfully and admirably well . Adieu, loving and consumate family friend. Rest in peace and in God's bossom ." From Ambassador Biodun Owoseni, (Former Nigerian Ambassador to Austria & Slovakia , and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations' Organisations in Vienna, 2004-2007); 30th September, 2025.

Wow! So Maria is gone? It’s so hard to believe. I would usually call up Makinde and ask about Maria as much as possible. I was hoping I’d get to see her one more time, later this year in Austria. Alas…. Maria was such a loving and kind woman, and more than a friend (much more like a sister) to my life. May Jesus Christ comfort her family and bless her memory. We will always remember you Maria. Adios.

Mrs Maria was such a nice kind hearted woman, filled with love, compassion and care for people around her, particularly the less privileged. You lived a life worthy of emulation. You were never tired of giving and always wanting to do more for others. May your gentle soul rest in peace. May the Lord grant your daughter, friends and family members the strength and courage to bear your loss. You were a rare gem, an Angel in human form, indeed you are irreplaceable!! GONE BUT Will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN ADIEU From Fatima