Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme dies in a London hospital

A statement from his family said he died at a London clinic on Sunday. The statement, which was signed by his brother and the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said the former VP at 10:00 pm.

The statement reads in part: “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 former vice president, who turned 85 in October, reportedly collapsed in his Enugu residence a few weeks ago. He was immediately taken to the Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital, Enugu, where he relapsed and went into a coma. President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently directed that he be immediately flown abroad for urgent medical treatment; this was after the President was briefed on Mr Ekwueme’s condition.

Born October 21, 1932, Dr Ekweme was the first elected Vice-President of Nigeria. He served as deputy under former President Sheu Shagari between 1979 and 1983.

He was educated at the King’s College, Lagos and earned a degree in Architecture and City Planning from the University of Washington, as a Fulbright scholarship recipient. He also obtained a masters degree in Urban Planning and subsequently a PhD in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde.

Aside his degrees in Architecture, Dr Ekwueme also studied Sociology, History, Philosophy from the University of London. He was also called to the Nigerian Bar.

Following the coup that ousted the Second Republic administration of Shehu Shagari in December 1983, Mr. Ekwueme was among politicians arrested by the then incoming military government of Muhammadu Buhari. He and other politicians were accused of various infringements and corruption and were detained at the Kiri-kiri Prison in Lagos.

His burial arrangement is yet to be announced by his family.

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