Credible deeds of Dr Alex Ekwueme

His death is a great loss to Nigeria, the Igbo people and People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Dr Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice President of Nigeria, was announced dead at a London hospital where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

According to information released to local media in Nigeria by the family, Dr Ekwueme passed away at 10:00 pm on November 19, 2017. In the statement, the family said:“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.”

On November 1, 2017, Dr Alex was reported to have collapsed and admitted to the intensive care unit of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu State. He later flew abroad for treatment, which was financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

 

With the passing away of Dr Ekwueme, here are five important things you should know about the Igbo leader.

1.    Alex Ekwueme was one the first  set of Nigerians to secure the Fullbright Scholarship from the government of the United States of America (USA). This allowed him to study Architecture and Town Planning at the University of Washington, after graduating from the King's College, Lagos.

2.    Alex Ekwueme was the first elected vice president of Nigeria in 1979. He was the deputy of former President Shehu Shagari between 1979- 1983.

3.    He was also the first to set up an indigenous architectural firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, in Nigeria. However, the firm was closed down after he was elected Vice President of Nigeria.

4.    He formed the G34 – a group of distinguished 34 Nigerians, to fight against the dictatorial rule of General Sani Abacha. It was this group that later became the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

5.    Alex Ekwueme was the founding Chairman of the party, and also served as its Board of Trustees chairman. The party, PDP, ruled the country between 1999 and 2015.