Chukwuemeka Ezeife was a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Anambra State from January 1992 to November 1993. He was born on November 20, 1937, in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria, and passed away on December 14, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria, at the age of 86.
In this article, we will delve into the life of Chukwuemeka Ezeife, his early life, family, educational background, political career, personal life, and death.
Chukwuemeka Ezeife Profile
Before we proceed, let’s explore Chukwuemeka Ezeife’s profile and a few facts you’d love to know about him:
Full name: Chukwuemeka Ezeife
Born: 20th November 1938
Died: 14 December 2023
Age: 85 years (2023)
Nationality: Nigerian
Spouse: Christiana Njideka Ezeife (died 2022)
Children:
Education: Harvard University
Occupation: Politician
Net worth:
Chukwuemeka Ezeife Biography and Early Life
Chukwuemeka Ezeife was born on November 20, 1937, in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria¹. He did not attend secondary school but taught himself through correspondence courses, qualifying for university admission. He obtained a BSc in Economics from the University College Ibadan, then attended Harvard University on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship where he obtained a master’s and then PhD degree in 1972.
Ezeife joined the civil service as an Administrative Officer and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary. He was married and had children, but there is no information available about his family.
Political Career
Ezeife was elected governor of Anambra State on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform, holding office from January 2, 1992, to November 17, 1993, when General Sani Abacha took power after a military coup¹. As governor, he was said to be more interested in planning than in addressing immediate developmental needs and achieved few tangible results¹. He transferred Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to the federal government, which helped ensure that they survived in the ensuing military regime¹.
During the Nigerian Fourth Republic, Ezeife, who described himself as a social democrat, was appointed presidential Adviser on Political Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo¹.
Personal Life and Death
Ezeife was married to Christiana Njideka Ezeife and the union was blessed with children. She passed away on December 13, 2021, at a U.S. hospital after a brief illness. She was laid to rest in her husband’s compound at Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of the state on Friday, December 17, 2021. She was a month away from turning 82 when she passed away.
Christiana Njideka Ezeife was known for her philanthropic work and her contributions to the development of the state. She was a respected member of the community and her death was met with heavy shock. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State visited the bereaved family and conveyed his condolences.