This week, Lomé’s Etoile Filante Football Club honored the late Brazilian Ambassador to Togo, Nei Futuro Bitencourt, who passed away on December 13. The club, based in the capital, paid tribute to a “football enthusiast and a friend to everyone.”
The ceremony took place at the Brazilian Embassy in Togo, attended by Togolese government officials, diplomats, and figures from the sports community.
“He was a member of Etoile Filante, and we couldn’t let him go without paying our respects,” stated Me Têtê Wilson-Bahun, President of Etoile Filante.
Ambassador Bitencourt, who served in Togo since April 2022, was well-known not only in diplomatic and political circles but also in cultural and sporting communities.
“He was a man of many facets, a kind-hearted individual who contributed greatly to sport, culture, and diplomacy. His passion for African culture was evident, and he was a supporter of the Black Deities Festival,” Me Wilson-Bahun remarked.
The tribute ceremony included traditional Guin rituals, symbolizing the ambassador’s deep connection to the local culture. “He arrived as an ambassador, but he leaves like a king,” said the Etoile Filante president.
At the age of 66, Nei Futuro Bitencourt’s sudden passing has left a significant void in both Togo’s diplomatic and cultural spheres.
Togo bids farewell to Ambassador Nei Futuro Bitencourt in emotional tribute
