The body of former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme has been committed to mother earth following his sad death.
Late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme buried
Nigeria’s former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, was laid to rest
on Friday at his hometown, Oko in Anambra state after a week-long
burial rites.
Top government officials, close friends and family members gathered
to pay their lasts respect to the 85-year-old elder statesmen who died
in November 2017.
Some of those present to witness the final moments were Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan and his
wife, Patience.
Other are former Vice President Namadi Sambo; the Anambra state
Governor, Willie Obiano; Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Ifeanyi Okowa of
Delta state, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos
state, among others.
The former Vice President whose remains returned to Nigeria on
Monday, died at a hospital in London United Kingdom on November 19,
2017, following a respiratory illness.
Born October 21, 1932, Ekwueme started his career as an architect
after earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture and city planning, as
an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship, from the University of
Washington in the United States.
He later obtained a master’s degree in urban planning and also
earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the
University of London.
Furthering his education, he obtained a PhD in Architecture from
the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree
from the Nigerian Law School.
Late first Vice President of Nigeria Dr Alex Ekwueme
In 1979, Ekwueme became Nigeria’s first Vice President, serving as
deputy to Shehu Shagari, until 1983 when they were ousted in a coup.
Over the years, he played several roles domestically and internationally, cementing his status as a statesman.
In the course of the week, tributes poured in from many prominent
Nigerians and top government officials who shared experiences from their
relationship with him and described him as a rare gem who will be
greatly missed.
As he is finally laid to rest today, the hope of many is that his
legacies live on and Nigeria continues to uphold the virtues of unity
and integrity and selfless service as he had always practised.
The Federal Government has renamed the Federal University in Ebonyi State as Alex Ekwueme University.
The university is located in Ndufu Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo announced the honour today at the
funeral rites for the former vice-president at the St John of the Divine
Church, Oko Anambra state.
Ekwueme being buried
The ceremony was attended by former president Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
Osinbajo said that Ekwueme, who was Nigeria’s vice-president
between October 1979 and December 1983, was being immortalised for his
selfless service, integrity and contributions to national development.
He described Ekwueme as a true Nigerian icon and statesman whose life and times were worthy of celebration.
He said he wasn’t only being remembered as an accomplished scholar,
or for his architectural prowess or for having occupied high public
offices but because he practiced eternal principles that set men and
women apart from their peers whether they were poor or rich.
Osinbajo said the deceased showed bravery in the face of terror and set an excellent example of loyalty as a vice president.
“Ekwueme was a man of principles, of personal sacrifice for others and service to those who cannot offer him reward,” he said.
-NAN
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