Ike Nwachukwu

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Ike Nwachukwu served as foreign minister of Nigeria.

Preceded by Bolaji Akinyemi	Foreign Minister of Nigeria 1987 –1989	Succeeded by Rilwan Lukman
Preceded by Rilwan Lukman	Foreign Minister of Nigeria 1990 –1993	Succeeded by Matthew Mbu

Born on September 1, 1940 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Senator Ike Nwachukwu has led a remarkable and highly fulfilled career as a soldier, administrator, innovator and diplomat.

Fondly called IKE, he had his early education at the Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba, Lagos, and Lagos City College, also in Yaba, Lagos. He obtained Military and Sundry education and training at the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna, and Royal Canadian School of Infantry, Royal Canadian Physical Education School; Royal School of Infantry, Aldershot, Warminster, United Kingdom; Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy; United Nations Peace Academy, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru.

In addition, to the foregoing educational and training background, Senator Ike Nwachukwu attended several courses and held over a dozen positions in his career as a soldier and distinguished himself as one of the finest officers in Military Service and a dedicated and highly disciplined personality in governmental positions of authority to which he was appointed.

STRIDES

Some of the extra-regimental positions to which he held, and in which he performed credibly include –

The position of Military Governor of Imo State (1984 – 1985), where he founded the Abia State University, now in Uturu. The position of Minister in the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity (1986 – 1987), where he founded the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to alleviate the problems of unemployment, especially graduate unemployment.  The position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, which he was twice appointed, (1987 – 1993), where he introduced the concept of Economic Diplomacy into Nigeria’s foreign relations to enhance the well being of the nation in the world economic order. The concept was a remarkable shift from the prevailing diplomatic posture of too much politics and too little economic verve.

OTHER POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Furthermore, Senator Ike Nwachukwu was:  A two-term Chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Liberation Committee.  A two-term Chairman of the OAU Council of Ministers.  A three term Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers.  Chairman/Leader, of OAU Ministerial Delegation to the Conference for Democratisation of South Africa.  Chairman, Plenary sessions of the Non – Aligned Movement.  Chairman, Governing Council of the African Regional Labour Administration Center.  Chairman Senate Committee on Power and Steel.  Chairman Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Furthermore, Senator Nwachukwu has headed and led several Nigerian delegations to various international summits and negotiations, and obtained resolutions from the United Nations on the Nations behalf.

Some of them include:

 Addressing at various times the United Nations General Assembly and Chairing the United Nations special sessions on varying subjects.  Leading Nigeria’s negotiations for Agenda 21 and the convention at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.  Championing the need for the reorganization of the United Nations Security Council to reflect the new world order and the expansion of the United Nations Security Council for additional permanent members to include Nigeria.  Obtaining a United Nations Resolution against the dumping of hazardous and toxic wastes in Africa and the developing countries of the world.

NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY HONOURS AND AWARDS

Senator Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu was conferred with several medals and decorations whilst in military service and traditional titles in his present status as a civilian.

Some of his traditional titles include:

 Ogbuagu Ndi Igbo.  Elder Ndiaja Ukwu of Umudinja, Ovim.  Ajaguna of Iloko – Ilesha.

His National decorations and service medals include: Nigerian Independence Medal.  Forces Service Star.  Defence Service Star.  Nigeria Republic Medal.  National Service Medal.  Commander, Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).

NATIONAL MERIT AWARDS.

 Special Certificate of Merit/Distinction for contributing so greatly, tremendously and positively towards peace and stability by African Youth Congress.  Award of Recognition by Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN) for recognition of invaluable contribution and distinguished service to the development of Iron and Steel sector in Nigeria.  Merit Award by his Excellency Chief Achike Udenwa (ONWA), Executive Governor Imo State, on the occasion of the State Silver Jubilee celebration in appreciation of enormous contribution to the development of Imo State.

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS, HONOURS, MEDALS

Senator Nwachukwu has been conferred with several international medals and awards which include:

 Grand Commander of Equatorial Guinea by the President of Equatorial Guinea.  Great Merit Cross with staff of the Merit Order of the Federal Republic of Germany (GMCS).  Grand Master of the National Order of the Southern Cross (GMSC) by the President of Brazil.  Diplomatic Medal (DMM) by the President of the Republic of Korea.  Grand Cruz de la Order dei Merito Civil de Espana (GCMC), by His Majesty, King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain.  Knight Grand Cross of the most distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG), by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Commander of the Order of Mono (COM) by President Gnasimgbe Eyadema, President of the Republic of Togo, on the 10th January, 2002, for his contribution to the development of ECOWAS and the peace initiative in the sub-region.  Distinguished Eagle Award by the Nigerian Eagle Society Inc.

His Business awards include:

 ELUL ISREAL INSTITUTE of Public Opinion Survey African Award 1997, for commitment to the development of African Economies.  Nigeria – American Chamber of Commerce Award for the pursuit of Economic Diplomacy and enhanced trade between the United States of America and Nigeria.

His Academic awards include:

 Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa, by the Imo State University, now Abia State University.