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| Image Credit: www.dailytrsut.com.ng |
"Dr. Alex Ekwueme's wealth,
in actual fact, had diminished by the time he was removed from office as Vice President
via a military coup. ,/.I see no prima facie case being made here to warrant
his trial for any offence known to law; and were he to be put on trial on the
facts available, it would be setting a standard of morality too high even for
saints in politics in a democracy to observe." Honourable Justice Sampson
Uwaifo
Words like these are what men
with purpose crave for when their dance on this earth is but over. These was
were said 32 years ago and listening to Jimi Disu on Front {Page Analysis on
Classic FM this morning, the same words were re-echoed. This is one politician
that was scandal free. Ide Aguata left indelible marks in the sands of time,
while his dance lasted.
Born October 21, 1932 and died at age 85, the former member of
the ECOWAS Council of Elders, Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and
the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Architects,
Dr Alex Ekwueme’s famous proposals at the Nigeria National Constitutional Conference, NCC in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on the Structure and Framework of the Constitution; for a
just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones
have now come to be accepted as necessary for maintaining a stable Nigerian
polity.
According to wikipedia.com Ekwueme started primary school at the St John's Anglican Central School, at Ekwulobia, then he proceeded to King's College, Lagos. As an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States of America (being one of the first Nigerians to gain the award), He attended the University of Washington where he earned bachelor's degree in Architecture and city planning. He obtained his master's degree in urban planning.
Before he gained national and international limelight
as the Vice President of Nigeria in 1979, he was actively involved in the
socio-economic development of his community. In addition to his many public
service roles within his community, Dr. Ekwueme started an active Educational
Trust Fund that has been responsible for sponsoring the education of several
hundred youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad. Dr. Ekwueme was a member
of the housing sub-committee of the Adebo Salaries and Wages Review Commission.
He also served for many years on the board of the Anambra State Housing
Development Authority.
If you watch Nollywood movies,
Igwe Prof Laz Ekwueme the Igwe of Oko Kingdom in Anambra state personified the
gentility of his elder brother. Through the erudite Musicologist, we could see
the character of the Architect cum 5th Vice President of Nigeria between
1979-1983 during the Shehu Shagari Administration.
According to some reports, when
reminded of the opening quote as he prepared to mark his 80th birthday in 2012,
he said: "That's true," suppressing a load of mirth that kind of
creased his surprisingly yet unwrinkled visage. "How much was my
salary?" he asked the air about the sitting room of his modestly appointed
country home, "120,000 Naira a month..."
Asked if he had forgiven those
who subjected him to the treatment, he replied: "Yes, though
they have not shown any remorse privately or otherwise." And it could not have turned
anyhow else for a man who had made as much money as could have been permitted
any hard working professional by Providence before opting to serve his nation.
Before taking the leap, more than closing his foreign accounts because a public
officer is not supposed to have one, he also had to bring his son schooling
abroad back to a Nigerian school as he could not pay his fees without running a
foreign account.
As well, like the gentleman he
was, he also closed a foreign joint account he ran with his wife. And it didn't
start at that; earlier, he had wound up his businesses particularly Ekwueme
Associates – Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural
firm registered in the country. Prior to this, Ekwueme had
started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle-based
firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also with the London based
firm Nickson and Partners. On his return to Nigeria, he joined ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing the
Construction and Maintenance department, before veering into private practice.
Replying to a question on why he
did not maintain his practice which had over 16 branches across the country, he
said "I like to play the game by the
rules, the fifth schedule, the Code of Conduct, says that a public officer
should not carry on any business while in office. So, if I don't wind it up,
even though I would not be directly involved I will still have interest in it
which will be in conflict with my position as Vice-President."
For one who earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London. and later proceeded to obtain a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School, this is humility at its profound heights, and only people who truly
understand the essence of politics can live such lives because they understand
that politics exists for the doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest
number of people.
Dr. Ekwueme was a prolific philanthropist, public servant, and a
man of peace. His dance was beautiful and we all felt his impact on our lives.
May his soul find peace with God Almighty.
Sleep on Ide!
OjisiEmezie
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