Ekwueme, patriot, champion of fourth republic – Okowa

Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa has praised Dr Alex Ekwueme as an uncommon patriot and democrat who served Nigeria with unwavering dedication.

Ekwueme, who died in London Hospital on Sunday at age 85, was a vice president in the second republic and a pioneer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party board of trustees.

In a tribute, Okowa said, "Ekwueme etched his name in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic advancement by working courageously for the emergence and consolidation of the Fourth Republic in 1999 when he joined forces with other leaders to form the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“His purposeful leadership and development strides, the late Ekwueme influenced the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic Oko which brought about unprecedented development of the Oko Kingdom in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Before venturing into politics Ekwueme brought great pride to the country through his exemplary and pioneering efforts as the Doyen of Architecture in Nigeria", Senator Okowa added.