Almost a month after his 85th birthday anniversary, former Nigerian Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme is dead.
According to the SUN newspaper, a statement from his family said he died at a London clinic on Sunday.
The statement, signed by his brother and the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said Dr. Alex Ekwueme died 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 few weeks ago.
President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently directed that he be immediately flown abroad for urgent medical treatment.
Born October 21, 1932, Dr. Ekweme was the first elected Vice-President of Nigeria. He served as vice to former President Shehu Shagari between 1979 and 1983.
The late Second Republic politician was one of the most educated Nigerian political leaders.
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.
Dr. Ekwueme also took a masters degree in Urban Planning and later obtained a PhD in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde.
Aside his degrees in Architecture, Mr. Ekwueme also obtained degrees in Sociology, History, Philosphy and Law from the University of London. He was also called to the Nigerian Bar.
Ekwueme’s burial arrangement is expected to be announced later.