24 Facts About Alex Ekwueme

Alex Ekwueme was born to Igbo parents in Oko Town, in present day Anambra State on 21 October 1932.

Alex Ekwueme died at 10:00pm on 19 November 2017 at a clinic in London.

Alex Ekwueme had to be flown there after his relapse to a coma which he fell into as a result of his fall in his Enugu residence.

Dr Alex Ekwueme earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London.

Alex Ekwueme started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle-based firm, Leo A Daly and Associates, and with the London based firm Nickson and Partners.

Alex Ekwueme then went on to create a successful private business with his firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria.

Alex Ekwueme's practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up in preparation for Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive vice president of Nigeria.

Alex Ekwueme had presided over the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.

Alex Ekwueme was chairman of the board of trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Alex Ekwueme was a member of the housing sub-committee of the Adebo Salaries and Wages Review Commission.

Alex Ekwueme served for many years on the board of the Anambra State Housing Development Authority On the national front.

Alex Ekwueme was the first elected Vice President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Nigerian Republic serving under President Shehu Shagari as a member of the National People's Party.

Alex Ekwueme participated in the 1995 National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on the Structure and Framework of the Constitution.

Alex Ekwueme mobilized the group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives to stand up against the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha during the era of military rule in Nigeria.

Alex Ekwueme was the founding chairman of the ruling party in Nigeria and was the first chairman of the party's board of trustees.

Alex Ekwueme was a prolific philanthropist, public servant, and a man of peace.

Alex Ekwueme was a member of the board of directors of Canada-based Forum of Federations.

Alex Ekwueme was a member of the Economic Community of West African States Council of Elders.

Alex Ekwueme was leader of the team assembled by the National Democratic Institute for pre-election monitoring for the parliamentary election in Zimbabwe in 2000.

Alex Ekwueme was the leader of the Organisation of Africa Unity observer team to the Tanzanian Presidential and Parliamentary election in 2000.

Alex Ekwueme was the Ide of the Oko kingdom in Anambra State, where his younger brother, Professor Lazarus Alex Ekwueme, reigns as the traditional ruler.

Alex Ekwueme was honoured by the council of Traditional Rulers in the old Aguata as the Ide of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State comprising forty-four towns.

Alex Ekwueme was honoured with the Order of the Republic of Guinea and Nigeria, second highest national honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

Alex Ekwueme was fearless and with the courage of his convictions, he led the G-34, the group of eminent Nigerians who confronted military dictatorship in its darkest and most fearsome days in Nigeria's history.