LIST: 10 things to know about the Late Ojo Maduekwe
Nigeria lost one of its finest politician yesterday, June 29.
Chief Ojo Maduekwe, former minister and ambassador died at the age of 71 after a brief illness on an international flight.
Family, friends and associates have paying homage to a man many say had a calming influence in Nigeria’s political space.
Chief Ojo Maduekwe died at the age of 71 last night
READ ALSO: Ojo Maduekwe died 3 days before his wife’s birthday – Source
NAIJ.com lists 10 important things to know about a man best known for his political sagacity.
1. His full name is Ojo Mbila Maduekwe. He was Born on May 6, 1945 and hails from Ohafia, in Ohafia local government area of Abia state.
2. As a young man, he hawked bean cake (akara) to keep his family together when his father became incapacitated.
2. He read law in the University of Nigeria, Nsuka and graduated in 1972.
3. He was admitted to practice as a barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1973.
4. He has held 12 political and public offices since he became a member of the National Assembly in 1983 and has remained relevant till he died.
5. He served under all Nigeria’s presidents since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999 – Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
6. He got the nick name ‘Ojo oni keke’ meaning Ojo the cyclist when he recommended that Nigerians should explore bicycle as means of transportation when he was the minister of transportation under Obasanjo.
7. He is reputed to be the first minister to design and create an anti-corruption unit in his ministry. It later became the model other ministries and government agencies adopted.
8. Also during his reign as transport minister, he began and concluded the first Railway Master Plan for Nigeria to span over a period of 25 years.
9. He was a notable elder in Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
10. He holds the traditional chieftaincy title – Ikemba 1 Asagha of Ohafia.
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