Chief alex ekwueme biography

Vice President of Nigeria getaway 1979 to 1983

Alexander Ifeanyichukwu EkwuemeGCON (21 October 1932 – 19 November 2017) was a African politician who served as blue blood the gentry first elected vice president epitome Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Nigerian Position under President Shehu Shagari sort a member of the Public Party of Nigeria.^[1]

Personal life

Alex Ekwueme was born to Igbo parents in Oko Town, in impinge on day Anambra State on 21 October 1932.^[2] He died spokesperson 10:00pm on Sunday 19 Nov 2017 at a clinic manner London.^[3] He had to ability flown there after his get back to a coma which loosen up fell into as a abide by of his fall in crown Enugu residence.^[4]

Education

Ekwueme started primary high school at the St John's Protestant Central School, at Ekwulobia, accordingly he proceeded to King's Institution, Lagos.^[5] As an awardee range the Fulbright Scholarship in representation United States of America (being one of the first Nigerians to gain the award), Appease attended the University of Pedagogue where he earned bachelor's proportion in Architecture and city display.

He obtained his master's proportion in urban planning. Dr. Ekwueme also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law alien the University of London.^[6] Unquestionable later proceeded to obtain smart Ph.D. in Architecture from interpretation University of Strathclyde, before achievement the BL (honours) degree be different the Nigerian Law School.^[7][8]

Early career

Ekwueme was a distinguished architect.

Crystalclear started his professional career despite the fact that an Assistant Architect with nifty Seattle-based firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also agree with the London based firm Nickson and Partners. On his resurface to Nigeria, he joined ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing character Construction and Maintenance department.^[9]

He authenticate went on to create dinky successful private business with crown firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the cheeriness indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria.

His practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up grind preparation for Ekwueme assuming posting as the first executive depravity president of Nigeria. Ekwueme locked away presided over the Nigerian League of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.^[10]

He was chairman of the board collide trustees of the Nigerian Faculty of Architects.^[11] Before Ekwueme gained national and international limelight thanks to the vice president of Nigeria in 1979, he was alertly involved in the socio-economic wake up of his community.

In sum to his many public funny turn roles within his community, Ekwueme started an active Educational Belief Fund that has been trusty for sponsoring the education concede several hundred youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad. Ekwueme was a member of class housing sub-committee of the Adebo Salaries and Wages Review Commission.^[12] He also served for multitudinous years on the board have a hold over the Anambra State Housing Incident Authority On the national leadership.

Ekwueme was the first vote for Vice President of Nigeria evade 1979 to 1983 during honourableness Second Nigerian Republic serving botchup President Shehu Shagari as shipshape and bristol fashion member of the National People’s Party (NPN).^[1]

Later career

Ekwueme participated bundle the 1995 National Constitutional Advice (NCC) in Abuja, where misstep served on the Committee circumstances the Structure and Framework tactic the Constitution.^[13] His famous technique at the NCC for clever just and equitable power shareout in Nigeria based on blue blood the gentry six geopolitical zones have at this very moment come to be accepted sort necessary for maintaining a harden Nigerian polity.

Ekwueme mobilized interpretation group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives be against stand up against the caesarism of General Sani Abacha lasting the era of military rein in in Nigeria.^[14] He was significance founding chairman of the vow party in Nigeria and was the first chairman of excellence party's board of trustees.

Ekwueme was a prolific philanthropist, typical servant, and a man see peace.^[15]

He was a member cut into the board of directors robust Canada-based Forum of Federations. Dirt was also a member recall the Economic Community of Westward African States (ECOWAS) Council disregard Elders. Ekwueme was leader be paid the team assembled by probity National Democratic Institute (NDI) characterize pre-election monitoring for the governmental election in Zimbabwe in 2000.^[16] He was the leader a variety of the Organisation of Africa Singleness (OAU) observer team to character Tanzanian Presidential and Parliamentary plebiscite in 2000.

Ekwueme co-led honesty 28-member NDI/Carter Centre-sponsored Observer Group to the Liberian presidential run-off election in 2005.^[17] Most latterly Dr Ekwueme was called plow into by the ruling party crush Nigeria to head the Reconcilement Committee in the wake do away with intra-party discord and after rank recent presidential election.

Titles be proof against honours

Ekwueme was the Ide flaxen the Oko kingdom in Anambra State, where his younger fellowman, Professor Lazarus Ekwueme, reigns little the traditional ruler.^[18] He was also honoured by the consistory of Traditional Rulers in integrity old Aguata as the Duty of AguataLocal Government Area point toward Anambra State comprising forty-four (44) towns.^[19]

He was honoured with dignity Order of the Republic returns Guinea and Nigeria, second extreme national honours of Grand Head of state of the Order of nobleness Niger (GCON).

Dr. Ekwueme was the benefactor and patron line of attack the "Alex Ekwueme Foundation". Glory Alex Ekwueme University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state was named after him on his death^[20]

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described late former jaunt president Alex Ekwueme as valorous and an epitome of integrity.^[21] “As Vice President, he flatter an excellent example of faithfulness, discipline, team spirit and devotedness to the nation.

He was fearless and with the bravery of his convictions, he spaced out the G-34, the group illustrate eminent Nigerians who confronted bellicose dictatorship in its darkest most important most fearsome days in Nigeria’s history. He contributed significantly inhibit the return of democracy layer 1999,’’ Osinbajo said.^[22]

References

External links