Alex Ekwueme
| Alex Ekwueme | |
|---|---|
| 5th Vice President of Nigeria | |
|
In office October 1, 1979 – December 31, 1983 |
|
| President | Shehu Shagari |
| Preceded by | Shehu Musa Yar'Adua as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters |
| Succeeded by | Tunde Idiagbon as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
21 October 1932 Oko, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Political party | National Party of Nigeria |
| Alma mater | |
Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme GCON (born October 21, 1932) was the first elected Vice-President of Nigeria, in office from 1979 to 1983.
He is the Ide of the Oko kingdom in Anambra State, where his younger brother Prof Lazarus Ekwueme, reigns as the traditional ruler. He was also 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 (44) towns.
He 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), Alex 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. Dr Ekwueme also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London. He 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.
Alex is a distinguished architect. He 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.
Alex 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. His practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up in preparation for Dr Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive Vice President of Nigeria. Dr. Ekwueme had presided over the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.
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