It has been reported that Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the former governor of Anambra State, has passed away at the age of 85.
The demise occurred on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, as confirmed by a press release issued on Friday and signed by Chief Rob Ezeife on behalf of the family.
The statement read,
“On behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, I wish to announce the promotion to glory of our most distinguished son, ‘Okwadike’, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, a former governor of Anambra State, a former Political Adviser to the President and former Presidential aspirant.
“This sad event took place yesterday at 6 pm at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.”
“More details about the deceased and the arrangements for his state burial will be announced later.”
Born on November 20, 1938, in Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Dr Ezeife, affectionately known as ‘Okwadike’, left an indelible mark on Nigerian politics and governance. Despite not attending secondary school, he displayed a tenacious commitment to education, teaching himself through correspondence courses and ultimately qualifying for university admission.
Ezeife earned a BSc in Economics from the University College Ibadan and pursued further studies at Harvard University on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship, obtaining both a Masters and a PhD degree in 1972. His illustrious career saw him rise through the ranks in the civil service, holding the position of Permanent Secretary.
He served as a school headmaster, a lecturer at Makarare University College in Kampala, Uganda, a teaching fellow at Harvard University, and a Consultant with Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Entering the political arena, Dr Ezeife became the governor of Anambra State from January 1992 to November 1993, representing the Social Democratic Party during the Third Republic. Beyond his gubernatorial role, he served as a Presidential Adviser on Political Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Notably, during his governorship, Ezeife made significant decisions, transferring Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to the Federal Government. This move played a role in ensuring the survival of these institutions during the subsequent military regime.
Following the news of his passing, the family, through the press release, announced that arrangements for his state burial will be disclosed at a later date.