Matthew Mbu
Encyclopedia
Matthew Tawo Mbu is a Nigeria
n lawyer, politician, diplomat, and a permanent fixture in Nigerian political affairs for more than fifty years. He was born in Okundi, Cross River State.
He also attended the Kakwagon Seminary School between 1941and 1943, before proceeding to Middle Temple and University College, London, from 1955 to 1959, where he received the LLB and the LLM. Chief Mbu was subsequently called to the Bar, Middle Temple.
He has also served his country in various capacities including:
He holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever to serve in the federal cabinet. Between 1960 and 1966, Chief Mbu returned to serve again in Parliament. During the latter period in Parliament, he served as Federal Minister of Defense for Naval Affairs.
He was appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission in 1967, and became Member Constituent Assembly from 1977 to 1978. He was the first national vice-chairman of the Nigeria People’s Party from 1979 to 1981 before moving to the National Party of Nigeria from 1981 to 1983.
On several occasions, Chief Mbu has represented his Nation as an ambassador to foreign countries, including a recent appointment as Ambassador to Germany
. He has also served as the Pro-Chancellor at Obafemi Awolowo University
in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
He served as his country's Foreign Minister
from January to November 1993.
Chief Mbu is currently the leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, (SSPA), a non-political organization that was created to help promote the interests of the peoples of the South-South geo-political zone.
His legacy has been continued by his son, Senator Matthew Tawo Mbu (Jr.)
, who is also a prominent politician.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n lawyer, politician, diplomat, and a permanent fixture in Nigerian political affairs for more than fifty years. He was born in Okundi, Cross River State.
Education
He received his early education at Okundi Primary School from 1937 to 1940.He also attended the Kakwagon Seminary School between 1941and 1943, before proceeding to Middle Temple and University College, London, from 1955 to 1959, where he received the LLB and the LLM. Chief Mbu was subsequently called to the Bar, Middle Temple.
Political career
Chief M.T. Mbu’s political career began with his membership of Parliament from 1952 to 1955.He has also served his country in various capacities including:
- Federal Minister of Labour, 1954
- High Commissioner to UK, 1955 to 1959
- Representative of Nigeria, Washington DC. 1966.
He holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever to serve in the federal cabinet. Between 1960 and 1966, Chief Mbu returned to serve again in Parliament. During the latter period in Parliament, he served as Federal Minister of Defense for Naval Affairs.
He was appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission in 1967, and became Member Constituent Assembly from 1977 to 1978. He was the first national vice-chairman of the Nigeria People’s Party from 1979 to 1981 before moving to the National Party of Nigeria from 1981 to 1983.
On several occasions, Chief Mbu has represented his Nation as an ambassador to foreign countries, including a recent appointment as Ambassador to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He has also served as the Pro-Chancellor at Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University is a government-owned and -operated Nigerian university. The university is in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria...
in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
He served as his country's Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Nigeria
The Nigerian foreign ministry is a statutory body created to handle the external push of Nigeria's domestic vision and ideals; it is headed by the Foreign Minister of Nigeria. As of late its mission has geared towards increasing awareness about Nigeria's economic potential...
from January to November 1993.
Chief Mbu is currently the leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, (SSPA), a non-political organization that was created to help promote the interests of the peoples of the South-South geo-political zone.
His legacy has been continued by his son, Senator Matthew Tawo Mbu (Jr.)
Matthew Mbu Junior
Matthew Tawo Mbu Junior was elected Senator for the Cross River Central constituency of Cross River State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People's Democratic Party platform...
, who is also a prominent politician.