Matthew Mbu

Matthew Tawo Mbu
Foreign Minister of Nigeria
In office January 1993 – November 1993
Preceded by	Ike Nwachukwu
Succeeded by	Babagana Kingibe
Personal details
Born	20 November 1929 (1929-11-20) (age 81)

Matthew Tawo Mbu (born November 20, 1929) is a Nigerian 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^[1]
• 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. 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.

Family

Ambassador Mbu is married to Katherine Anigbo and they have six children.

References

1. ^ Nigeria: Still standing, but standing still

External links

• Interview with Matthew Mbu
• Detail on Mbu at the Alex Ekwueme Foundation web site

Persondata
Name	Mbu, Matthew
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 20, 1929
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death