Buhari orders Ekwueme’s treatment abroad

Alex Ekwueme collapsed at his residence in Enugu and has been receiving treatment at a private hospital

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate medical treatment of former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, outside the country.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the President’s approval followed a brief he received on Friday over the medical condition of the former Vice-President.

Shehu said the approval covered the immediate charter of an Air Ambulance for the emergency movement and the cost of treatment.

“President Buhari prays that God will grant the elder statesman speedy recovery,” the statement said.

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Ekwueme was reported to have collapsed in his house on Sunday and is currently receiving treatment in a private hospital in Enugu.

Dr. Alex Ekwueme GCON born on October 21, 1932 was the first elected Vice-President of Nigeria, in office from 1979 to 1983.

He served alongside Shehu Shagari who was president. They both belonged to the National Party of Nigeria.

Before Dr. Ekwueme gained national and international limelight as the Vice President of Nigeria in 1979, he was actively involved in the socio-economic development of his community.

In addition to his many public service roles within his community, Dr. Ekwueme has an active Educational Trust Fund that has been responsible for sponsoring the education of several hundred youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad.

Ekwueme’s famous proposals at the Nigeria National Constitutional Conference (NCC) for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones have now come to be accepted as necessary for maintaining a stable Nigerian polity.