BY GBENGA OKE
LAGOS — It was a night of praise when family and associates of former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Matthew Tawo Mbu, held a ceremony of tributes and service of songs for the late retired diplomat in Lagos, Tuesday.
Mbu, a former parliamentarian, distinguished lawyer, politician and diplomat was described by many of his friends as a phenomenal achiever before passing away.
He was remembered, Tuesday, for the indelible marks and footprints set during his passage through his 82-year journey on earth.
He set many firsts in Nigeria’s political life and is remembered as the youngest minister in a federal cabinet and was the first Nigerian ambassador to the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations.
Mbu was referred to as a permanent positive force in Nigeria’s political and foreign affairs for more that 50 years with a sterling image without blemish who will be missed by all who were closed to him while alive.
A goodwill message by President Goodluck Jonathan described Mbu as an icon of the legal profession and the diplomatic corps who served Nigeria selflessly as minister and as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and in several other capacities.
His political career
Mbu’s political career began with his membership of parliament from 1952 to 1955. He subsequently served Nigeria in various capacities, including Federal Minister of Labour, 1954; High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, 1955 to 1959 and representative of Nigeria, Washington DC, 1966.
He played his role in the development of South-East when he was appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission in 1967 before becoming a member Constituent Assembly from 1977 to 1978.
In the field of education, Mbu also left his imprint. He was Pro-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Chancellor, Abia State University as well as Chancellor, Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH).
Tributes
Some of his friends took turns to pay their last respects through tributes at the ceremony.
Chief Emeka Anyaoku said: “The late Mbu was a rare example in diplomacy in Nigeria. His death is a huge loss because he was a corruption free elder statesman. He was one of the builders of Nigeria because he was among those who negotiated Nigerian independence in 1960. He was a foremost diplomat and an embodiment of manners, caring and had great compassion for everyone.”
Osoba described Mbu as a brilliant man, who had a great vision for Nigeria, adding: “Mbu was a brilliant man with great beginning, great training and he had a glorious exit. He was a politician, handsome and very photogenic. We loved to use his pictures as journalists then.”
In his remarks, Mr Donald Duke, the immediate past governor of Mbu’s Cross River State said: “Mbu was in service for 60 years. He worked for himself for 20 years and he brought light to Cross River, no, to his village, no, but to Nigeria and the world, yes. I thank his clan for sharing him with Nigeria and thank God for ordaining him to fight for Nigeria.”
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State in his tribute said: “He was a reference point to us and a nationalist who played a major role in the life of Nigeria. He will be remembered for being a great diplomat, lawyer, nationalist, politician of great repute and history will remember him as one who left an indelible mark.”
Senator Florence Ita-Giwa in her tribute said: “We are celebrating a great and charismatic leader. He was a man of honour who never looked down on his juniors like me in politics and he encouraged us to be politically inclined. He struggled a lot for the return of democracy to Nigeria and its sustenance. He worked on the democracy we are enjoying today and I will urge his family not to allow his struggles to perish.”
Hon Justice Rose Ukeje, in her remarks said: “He lived well and was a great man. We should not mourn but rejoice because he left footprints and we are proud he was a lawyer of repute before his demise.”
Ambassador Mbu passed on in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2012 at the age of 82.
Various personalities that graced the event were, Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Permanent Secretary, Chief Philip Asiodu, ex-Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Prof Ben Nwabueze, Prof Joe Irukwu, Professor Itse Sagay,Chief Bolaji Akinyemi,Mrs. Evan Enwerem, Justice Ukeje, former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and Sen Florence Ita Giwa,
Others were; Amb Greg Mbadiwe, Amb I.C Olisa-Emeka, Prof Ayo Ajomo, Ex – Governor Donald Duke, Chief Kola Balogun who represented Gov Aregbesola, son of late Chief Bola Ige, Muyiwa Ige, Sen Musa Adede, Chief Dr Anthony Anenih among others.
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