Alex Ekwueme
Alex Ekwueme Supreme Headquarters | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme 21 October 1932 British Nigeria (now in Anambra State, Nigeria) |
Died | 19 November 2017 London, United Kingdom | (aged 85)
Political party | National Party of Nigeria (1979 to 1983) |
Spouse | Beatrice Chigozili Ekwueme |
Relations | Lazarus Ekwueme (brother) |
Alma mater | |
Profession |
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Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme
Personal life
Alex Ekwueme was born to Igbo parents in Oko Town, in present day Anambra State on 21 October 1932.[2] He died at 10:00pm on Sunday 19 November 2017 at a clinic in London.[3] He had to be flown there after his relapse to a coma which he fell into as a result of his fall in his Enugu residence.[4]
Education
Ekwueme started primary school at the St John's Anglican Central School, at
He obtained his master's degree in urban planning. Dr. Ekwueme also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London.[6] He later proceeded to obtain a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School.[7]https://guardian.ng/art/alex-ifeanyichukwu-ekwueme-an-illustrious-african-statesman-2/
Early career
Ekwueme was a distinguished architect. He started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle-based firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also with the London based firm Nickson and Partners. On his return to Nigeria, he joined ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing the Construction and Maintenance department.[8]
He then went on to create a successful private business with his firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria. His practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up in preparation for Dr. Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive Vice President of Nigeria. Dr. Ekwueme had presided over the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.[9]
He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.[10] Before Dr. Ekwueme gained national and international limelight as the Vice President of Nigeria in 1979, he was actively involved in the socio-economic development of his community. In addition to his many public service roles within his community, Dr. Ekwueme started an active Educational Trust Fund that has been responsible for sponsoring the education of several hundred youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad. Dr. Ekwueme was a member of the housing sub-committee of the Adebo Salaries and Wages Review Commission.[11] He also served for many years on the board of the Anambra State Housing Development Authority On the national front.
Vice President of Nigeria
Ekwueme was the first elected
Later career
Ekwueme participated in the 1995 National Constitutional Conference (NCC) in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on the Structure and Framework of the Constitution.[12] His famous proposals at the NCC for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones have now come to be accepted as necessary for maintaining a stable Nigerian polity. Dr Ekwueme mobilized the group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives to stand up against the dictatorship of
He was a member of the Board of Directors of
Titles and honours
Ekwueme was the Ide of the Oko kingdom in
He was honoured with the Order of the Republic of Guinea and Nigeria, second highest national honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Dr. Ekwueme was the benefactor and Patron of the "Alex Ekwueme Foundation". The Alex Ekwueme University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state was named after him on his death[19]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme as fearless and an epitome of integrity.[20] “As Vice President, he set an excellent example of loyalty, discipline, team spirit and fidelity to the nation. He was fearless and with the courage of his convictions, he led the G-34, the group of eminent Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship in its darkest and most fearsome days in Nigeria’s history. He contributed significantly to the return of democracy in 1999,’’ Osinbajo said.[21]
References
- ^ a b Ohwovoriole, Onome (20 November 2017). "Life & times of Alex Ekwueme, first elected Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria". Nairametrics. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, an illustrious African statesman". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Olawoyin, Oladeinde (20 November 2017). "Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, is dead - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, is dead". Nigeria: The Premium Times. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
- ^ "The man Alex Ekwueme". Vanguard News. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, an illustrious African statesman". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ "Alex Ekwueme: The Nigerian Believer". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Alex Ekwueme:The Nigerian Believer". guardian.ng. 21 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, an illustrious African statesman". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Architects condole with Ekwueme's family". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Dailytrust News, Sports and Business, Politics | Dailytrust". Daily Trust. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "A tribute to Nigeria's first elected Vice President". Pulse Nigeria. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Alex Ekwueme". www.washington.edu. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Life and times of Dr. Alex Ekwueme -". The Eagle Online. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Life and times of Dr. Alex Ekwueme". The Eagle Online. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ admin (21 November 2017). "Ekwueme: Service Without Blemish". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ Olawoyin, Oladeinde (20 November 2017). "Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, is dead - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "The man Alex Ekwueme". Vanguard News. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Ebonyi University Management reacts to renaming of school after Ekwueme - Premium Times Nigeria". 3 February 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Ekwueme: Fearless, integrity epitome – Osinbajo". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Alex Ekwueme an epitome of integrity – Osinbajo". P.M. News. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2020.