Elder statesman and Nigeria’s former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, is dead.
The traditional ruler of the Oko family and brother to the Second Republic Vice President, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said in a statement that 85-year-old died in a London Hospital on Sunday.
“The Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON,” the statement read.
“The sad event occurred at the London Clinic at 10:00 pm on Sunday, 19th November 2017.”
The late former Vice-president was flown to London for medical treatment after he was reported to have suffered a chest infection which left him in a coma in a hospital for two weeks.
Born October 21, 1932, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (GCON), As an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States of America, attended the University of Washington where he earned bachelor’s degree in Architecture and city planning.
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.
He later proceeded to obtain a PhD in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School.
Till his death, he was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of Canada-based Forum of Federations.
He was also a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Elders. Dr Ekwueme was the leader of the team assembled by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for pre-election monitoring for the parliamentary election in Zimbabwe in 2000.
He was the leader of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) observer team to the Tanzanian Presidential and Parliamentary election in 2000. Dr Ekwueme co-led the 28-member NDI/Carter Centre sponsored Observer Team to the Liberian Presidential run-off election in 2005.
Benefactor and Patron of Alex Ekwueme Foundation, Alex Ekwueme 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).
He was the first Vice President of Nigeria, who served as a deputy to former President Shehu Shagari from October 1, 1979, to December 31, 1983, in the Second Republic.
The 85-year-old elder statesman hails from Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State.
