Ex-Education Minister, Ben Nwabueze, Passes On

Renowned constitutional lawyer and eminent leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) is dead.

He was 91 years old and he was born in 1931 in Atani, Anambra State.

He attended CMS Central School Atani from 1938 to 1945 and later went to C.M.S Central School, Onitsha (formerly, African College) in 1947. He left in 1950.

He later went to the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London (1956 – 1961) and also attended the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1961 – 1962).

He worked as a senior lecturer at Holborn College of Law, London between 1962 and 1965 and later returned to Nigeria to work as a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka from 1967 to 1970.

In 1971, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Zambia and the Director of Law Practice Institute, Zambia from 1973 to 1975.

He was a member of the Senate of the Universities of Lagos, Dar-es-salaam, Nairobi, Haile Selassie in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland between 1971 and 1978.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Nwabueze family and the government and people of Anambra State on his death.

Tinubu in a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, described the death of the eminent lawyer as a profound loss, saying Nwabueze’s knowledge of law was outstanding.

He said, “Prof. B.O. Nwabueze’s contribution to the precedents and principles of the nation’s constitution is notable. His involvement in the drafting of the 1979 constitution is a legacy that stands him out as well as his outstanding contributions to the legal profession at large.”

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the late elder statesman added appreciable benefits to the growth of constitutionalism globally.

Atiku in a statement mourning the demise of the Nwabueze, said he and the late professor shared a bond that was refreshing and that he feels proud to describe the elder statesman as his kindred spirit.

The Waziri Adamawa described the legal icon as a fine scholar who carried himself with excellence and had an avuncular mien.

He said through the enterprise of his intellectual acumen, Nwabueze “added appreciable benefits to the growth of constitutionalism not just in Nigeria, but globally.”

He continued, “I fondly recall my encounter with him in 2018 at his country home in Enugu State, where he reminded me of the unfinished Nigerian project.

“I also owed him a deep sense of appreciation for turning up in appearance with the legal team that represented my interest in the litigation arising from the 2019 presidential election,” he said.