Former Vice-President, ALex Ekwueme dies at 85

November 20, 2017


By Ijendu Iheaka


A former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme has died in a London hospital.

According to a statement from his brother, and traditional ruler of Oko Kingdom in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said Alex died in a London hospital at about 10 : pm Sunday night.

“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 sad event occurred at the London Clinic at 10:00 pm on Sunday 19th November 2017", the statement read.

The former Vice-President, sources said, collapsed on October 28 in his residence in Enugu.

He was subsequently taken to Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital Enugu, where he was admitted and treated for a chest infection for about two weeks.

 He was later flown to a London hospital where he died on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

Alex was born in October 21, 1932 in Oko and trained up to doctorate degree levels as an architect, a profession he excelled in and made a name for himself through his firm Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners.

In October 1, 1979, he became Nigeria's Vice-President in the 2nd Republic during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari.

He held the position until December 31, 1983 when the military coup of Mohammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon threw the regime overboard.

Alex Ekwueme was 85 years on October 10, 2017 when he celebrated his last birthday.

A Nigerian of note, and a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation during Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure said of Alex on his 80th birthday "Your name alone is suggestive – a good man – a man who keeps his word, a man of excellence.

"You are a pre-eminent Nigerian, distinguished in every respect, a man of character and discipline, a worthy ambassador of our nation and of God, fearless, courageous and upright".

Alex Ekwueme will be remembered for his uprightness in his political career and as a Nigerian who was exemplary in leadership.