Old Students mourn the passing to glory of Prof. Ben Nwabueze

The entire members of Our Lady’s High School Onitsha, Old Students Association, mourn the death of an illustrious Alumnus, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the President-General and Secretary -General of the Association, Dr  Noble Oguguo and Mr John Okafor respectively on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the late Legal Luminary and Professor of Professors was a member of the Class of 1950s.

“He was  literally and metaphorically speaking; an intellectual giant, a  pacesetter, a role model,  an accomplished leader,  a patriot and an uncommon achiever.

“He was a colossus and handled with distinction the many assignments he was entrusted  with,  both locally and internationally,” the statement said.

It further said that Prof. Nwabueze was a Minister of Education in Nigeria,  Constitutional Adviser to the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya, Member Constitution Drafting Committee and First Constituent Assembly for Nigeria, Member Constitution Review Committee for Zambia,  Chairman the Patriots, Chairman Project Nigeria, Deputy Chairman Presidential Advisory Council among others.

The late Legal Luminary was the first Academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The honour was conferred on him solely on the basis of his published works.

He was one of the two Nigerians and indeed African Holders of a Higher Doctorate Degree in Law (LLD) by published works (not honorary causa) from University of London.

The late Prof. Nwabueze, had to his credit, 34 published books.

He was conferred with Commander, Order of the Niger by the Federal Government.  He was the Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer of Ohaneze Ndigbo for more than 20 years.

He was a recipient of many honorary chieftaincy titles.

“In appreciation of his superlative contributions to human development nationally and internationally,  Prof. Nwabueze, was unanimously honoured with Distinguished Alumnus Award by Our  Lady’s High School Onitsha, Old Students Association on September 30, 2023 in an elaborate ceremony in Awka.

“We commiserate with his family,  the people of Atani, Government and people of Anambra State on this monumental loss,” it said.