The leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), Ambassador Matthew Mbu is dead. He died on Monday in a London hospital at the age of 82.
The Late politician was born in Okundi, Cross River State in November 20, 1929. He was a lawyer, politician, diplomat, and a permanent fixture in Nigerian political affairs for more than fifty years.
Mbu received his early education at Okundi Primary School from 1937 to 1940. He then proceeded to the Kakwagon Seminary School between 1941 and 1943. In 1955, Mbu was admitted into Middle Temple and University College, London, from where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in law. He was subsequently called to the Bar, Middle Temple.
Mbu’s political career began with his membership of Parliament from 1952 to 1955. He has also served the country in various capacities including: Federal Minister of Labour in 1954; High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1959; and a representative of Nigeria, Washington DC in 1966.
He holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever to serve in the federal cabinet. Between 1960 and 1966, Mbu returned to serve again in Parliament. During the latter stint in Parliament, he also doubled as Federal Minister of Defense for Naval Affairs.
He was appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission in 1967, and became Member Constituent Assembly, 1977-78. He was first national vice-chairman, Nigeria People’s Party, 1979 to 1981 before ‘decamping’ to the National Party of Nigeria from 1981 to 1983.
On several occasions, Mbu has represented the country as an ambassador to foreign countries including a recent appointment as Ambassador to Germany. He has also served as the Pro-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Mbu is survived by a wife, Katherine Anigbo and six children.
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