Ekwueme Clocks 76
Daily Independent 18 October 2008
Elder statesman and former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme turns 76 on Tuesday.
Ekwueme, an architect, lawyer and politician was born on October 21, 1932. He hails from Oko in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He attended Anglican School, Oko, Ekwulobia, Aguata between 1938-1944. He proceeded to Kings’ College, Lagos from 1945-1950 for his secondary education. In 1952 he went to the University of Washington, Seattlle U.S.A and finished in 1957. He was also at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland between 1976 and 1978; University of London, England and University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.
He started his career as an accounts clerk with the Nigeria Railway Corporation. He later served as a technical assistant/science mathematics instructor at his alma mater, Kings’ College.
Ekwueme was also a physics master at Hussey College, Warri between 1950 and 1952. He moved on to work as an assistant architect with Leo A. Duty and Associate, Seattle U.S.A from 1956-1957. Then, as an assistant architect, Nickson Borys and Partners, London in 1957 and coordinator, Construction and Maintenance, Esso West Africa Incoporated between 1957-1958.
He is the founder, Ekwueme Associates. In 1979, he became vice president and served until December 31, 1983 when he was arrested and detained after a military coup.
He was the chairman, Valid Associates Ltd., and Oko Community Planning and Development Committee; member, former East Central State Development Authority between 1970-75. He is one-time member, East Central State Advisory Committee on the prerogative of Mercy from 1971-1975. He was chairman, Board of Governors, Oko Community Hospital from 1972-1975. He became the assistant secretary, Nigeria Institute of Architects where he served till 1962. He rose to become vice president, 1963-64, and later the president of the association between 1965 and 1968.
He is the fellow, Nigeria Institute of Architects. Ekwueme was a member of the National Constitution Conference between 1994-1995. In 2002, he was appointed the Chancellor, Ado Ekiti University. He was once the chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a position he held from 1999 to 2003.
He holds the traditional titles of Ide Aguata, and Ide Okwulora Orunba.
In 1998, the Federal Government bestowed on him the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Nigeria (GCFR). Abia State University and Federal University of Technology, Owerri also awarded him an honourary doctoral degree.
Among his published books are “From State House To Kirikiri, Whither Nigeria?”, “Thoughts non Democracy and Politics and Constitution.”
