Matthew Mbu
| Matthew Tawo Mbu | |
|---|---|
| Foreign Minister of Nigeria | |
|
In office January 1993 – November 1993 |
|
| Preceded by | Ike Nwachukwu |
| Succeeded by | Babagana Kingibe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1929 |
| Died | 6 February 2012 (aged 82) |
Matthew Tawo Mbu (20 November 1929 – 6 February 2012) was a Nigerian lawyer, politician, diplomat, and a permanent fixture in Nigerian political affairs for more than fifty years.
Mbu was born in Okundi, Cross River State. He received his early education at Okundi Primary School from 1937 to 1940. He also attended the Kakwagon Seminary School between 1941and 1943, before proceeding to Middle Temple and University College, London, from 1955 to 1959, where he received the LLB and the LLM. Chief Mbu was subsequently called to the Bar, Middle Temple.
Ambassador Dr. Matthew Tawo Mbu, LL.B (Hons), LL.M. Ph.D., D.I.A (Lond), Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (1959) and Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (1960)
Matthew Tawo Mbu was born on 20 November 1929 in Okundi, Osokom Clan, Boki LGA, Cross River State to Chief Mbu Tawo and Madam Eshian Atim Tawo both members of the ruling Chieftaincy families of Osokom and Oku towns in Osokom Clan. His early education was at various Roman Catholic mission schools in Boki LGA, then Wolsey Hall, Oxford (postal tuition), University College London and the Middle Temple, London. A lifelong intellectual, MT Mbu was awarded his Ph.D by London University in 1995 at the age of 66, his thesis being centred on the OAU and its settlement of African disputes.
After a brief but successful stint working for John Holt, the young MT launched into his political career driven on by the words of his childhood mentor Fr. Patrick Meeham - "you are for your people. You go and speak for them" - and inspired by his first political mentor, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Legislative and ministerial posts:
Member representing Ogoja in the Eastern House of Assembly and House of Representatives, 1952–53
Member for Ogoja in the House of Representatives, 1954–55
Member of Parliament for Ogoja, 1960–66
Federal Minister of Labour, 1953–54; Nigeria’s youngest ever Minister at 23 years of age.
Ag. Minister of Transport, 1954
Ag. Minister of Commence and Industry, 1954–55
Ag. Minister of Works, 1955
Minister of State (Naval Affairs) in the Prime Minister’s Office, 1960
Minister of Defence (Navy), 1961–65
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, 1963–66
Minister of Transport and Aviation, 1966
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1992–93
Diplomatic career:
Nigeria’s Pioneer Diplomat:
First High Commissioner for Nigeria in UK, 1955-59.
First Nigerian Chief Representative in Washington DC, U.S.A., 1959-60.
First Nigerian Chief Representative in the United Nations, 1959-60.
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