Matthew Tawo Mbu (20 November 1929 – 6 February 2012) was a Nigerian lawyer, politician, diplomat, and a permanent fixture in Nigerian political affairs for more than fifty years.[1]
Early life and education
Matthew Tawo Mbu was born in Okundi, Osokom Clan, Boki LGA, Cross River State to Chief Mbu Tawo and Madam Eshian Atim Tawo both members of the ruling Chieftaincy families of Osokom and Oku towns in Osokom Clan. His early education was at various Roman Catholic mission schools in Boki LGA, then Wolsey Hall, Oxford (postal tuition).[2] Mbu attended Okundi Primary School from 1937 to 1940 and from 1941 to 1943 attended Kakwagon Seminary School, proceeding soon after to University College London and Middle Temple where he received LLB and LLM degrees in 1959. Chief Mbu was subsequently called to the Bar, Middle Temple where in 1959 he became Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria a year later. A lifelong intellectual, MT Mbu was awarded his Ph.D by London University in 1995 at the age of 66, his thesis being centred on the OAU and its settlement of African disputes.
After a brief but successful stint working for John Holt, the young MT launched into his political career driven on by the words of his childhood mentor Fr. Patrick Meehan - "you are for your people. You go and speak for them" - and inspired by his first political mentor, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Political career
Chief M. T. Mbu's political career began with his membership of Parliament from 1952 to 1955.[1]
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 after the declaration of Biafra he was appointed Biafran Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Biafran PresidentOdumegwu Ojukwu and after the civil war he became Member Constituent Assembly from 1977 to 1978. He was the first national vice-chairman of the Nigerian 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 was 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.
Legislative and ministerial posts
Member representing Ogoja in the Eastern House of Assembly and House of Representatives, 1952–53
Member for Ogoja in the House of Representatives, 1954–55
Member of Parliament for Ogoja, 1960–66
Federal Minister of Labour, 1953–54; Nigeria's youngest ever Minister at 23 years of age.
Leader, Nigerian Delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference, Canada 1963 and Jamaica, 1964
Signatory to the U.N. banning Chemical Weapons Convention, Paris, 1993 – having attended its very first sitting in 1963 as Special Assistant (Foreign Affairs) to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa
Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, 1998–99
OAU assignments
Appointed Head of the OAU Commission to investigate President Sylvanus Olympio of Togo's assassination in 1963.
Appointed Nigerian Chief Delegate to the OAU Conference in Addis Ababa in 1963.
Nigerian Chief Delegate to the Conference on the Army Mutiny in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1964.
Led Nigerian Delegation to the funeral of the Late Indian Prime Minister Lal Shastri in 1966 - and for this reason alone he was out of the Country that fateful day in January 1966
Public offices
Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission, 1966–67
Biafran Foreign Minister, 1967–70
Chairman, Investment Trust Company, South Eastern State, 1971–75
Officer and Knight of St. John International (KSJ)
Certificate of Honour by St. John International for distinguished service to the society and the church
Noble Degree of Knights of St. John International, 2011
Otu Agrinya I of Boki
Ada Idagha Ke Efik Eburutu
In the early hours of 6 February 2012 the living legend, Ambassador Dr. M. T. Mbu, the 'Star of Ogoja', the 'Baby Minister', the 'Wonder Boy of the Commonwealth' slept in the bosom of the Lord. May the Almighty God continue to bless his soul forever more Amen.
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