Former Ohaneze leader, Ralph Uwechue, is dead

Mr. Uwechue played an active role in the resolution of the Sierra Leonean Civil War.

A former President-General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Raph Uwechue, has died. Mr Uwechue, 79, who has been ill since last November, died at the National Hospital, Abuja, on Thursday.

A native of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, Mr. Uwechue was a former Nigerian ambassador to Liberia. He was also the publisher of the defunct African Today magazine.

He joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1960 and was posted to a number of countries including Cameroon, Mali, and Pakistan. He was Nigeria’s first diplomatic envoy in France in 1966 when the Nigerian mission opened there. Mr. Uwechue also was United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) consultant on “General History of Africa” project in Paris between 1967 and 1970.

He played an active role in the resolution of the Sierra Leonean Civil War.

He retired in 1970 to private practice, mostly in publishing. He was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the “Know Africa” books, a three-volume book that was published in French and English. He was also the publisher of “Africa Who’s Who” and “Makers of Modern Africa.”

Mr. Uwechue was also a lecturer at the Royal College of Defence Studies, London for 10 years.

In recognition of his “meritorious service to Black and African Peoples worldwide”, Mr. Uwechue was awarded an honorary membership of the “American Conference of Black Mayors” in 1982.

In 2003, he was a recipient of the Order of Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR, conferred on him by then President Obasanjo.

He was holder of the ancient traditional titles-the Ogwuluzame of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom and the Ochudo of Asaba. He is survived by five children.