Fabian Osuji
Fabian Osuji | |
---|---|
Federal Minister of Education | |
In office July 2003 – March 2005 | |
Succeeded by | Chinwe Obaji |
Personal details | |
Born | (1942-01-20)20 January 1942 Umuoda, Nguru, Aboh Mbaise, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria |
Died | 28 February 2024(2024-02-28) (aged 82) |
Political party | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
Fabian Ngozichukwu Chinedum Osuji (20 January 1942 – 28 February 2024) was a Nigerian politician who was the Federal Minister of Education in Nigeria from July 2003 until March 2005.
Academic career
Osuji attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Government College Umuahia, the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan. He undertook his post-doctoral research at Imperial College London. He was a lecturer, senior lecturer and associate professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan (1973–1981), and became a member of the university's senate. He was also a visiting scientific fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Osuji held multiple deanships, including of the College of Science, Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and member of the Governing Council of Imo State University. He was also a visiting professor to several universities within and outside Nigeria. Osuji participated in the development of university education in Nigeria through policy making, research and publications. He had over 35 published papers and books. Osuji was professor of Applied Biology at St. John's University, New York from 1997 to 1999.
Later career
Osuji retired from Imo State University in 1990 to pursue a career in politics. In 1991, he stood as the Imo State Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with an unprecedented landslide victory. Osuji was heavily favored to win the governorship election ahead of the late Senator Evan Enwerem of the National Republican Convention. However, with a few days to the elections, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under General Ibrahim Babangida, disqualified Osuji along with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other leading gubernatorial candidates in several states. Osuji later served as Imo State Commissioner for Information and Social Development (1994–1996), and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2000–2003).
Osuji was appointed Minister of Education in July 2003. He was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in March 2005 following his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly offering N55 million ($400,000) in bribes to the National Assembly to pass an inflated budget. Obasanjo announced the dismissal in a national radio broadcast that implied his guilt. The case was handed to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for prosecution. In April 2005, Osuji was questioned by the ICPC, as were former Senate leader Adolphus Wabara and Senators Abdulazeez Ibrahim, Emmanuel Okpede, Badamasi Maccido and Chris Adighije.[1] In May 2005 Osuji appeared in the Abuja High Court along with Wabara and five lawmakers.[2]
After extended legal battles, on 1 June 2010, an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja declared that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Osuji, describing the government's actions as "embarrassing, barbaric and uncivilized" and subsequently quashed all charges against Osuji.[3]
Personal life and death
Osuji held numerous traditional titles, most notably the Dike Eji-Eje Mba of Mbaise clan. He was married to Philomena Osuji and they had two daughters, three sons and six grandchildren.
Osuji died on 28 February 2024, at the age of 82.[4]
References
- ^ Lillian Okenwa, Kola Ologbondiyan and Ahamefula Ogb (8 April 2005). "ICPC Questions Wabara; More senators face Mamora panel". BNW News. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ "Top Nigerian politicians on trial". BBC News. 16 May 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ AHURAKA YUSUF (13 June 2010). "Wabara's Seven Years To Recovery". Leadership Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
- ^ "Former Education Minister Osuji Dies At 81". The Whistler. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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- Atiku Abubakar (May 2003–May 2007)
- Adamu Bello (July 2003–May 2007)
- Isa Yuguda (July 2003–July 2005)
- Babalola Borishade (July 2005–Nov 2006)
- Femi Fani-Kayode (November 2006–May 2007)
- Idris Waziri (July 2003–June 2006)
- Aliyu Modibbo Umar (Commerce July 2006–January 2007, Commerce and Industry January 2007–May 2007)
- Cornelius Adebayo (July 2003–Aug 2006)
- Obafemi Anibaba (Aug 2006–Jan 2007)
- Frank Nweke (Jan 2007–May 2007)
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (July 2003–2006)
- Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi (2006–May 2007)
- Fabian Osuji (July 2003–Mar 2005)
- Chinwe Obaji (June 2005–June 2006)
- Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2006–May 2007)
- Edmund Daukoru (July 2003–May 2007)
- Bala Mande (–July 2005)
- Iyorchia Ayu (June 2005–Dec 2005)
- Helen Esuene (Jan 2006–May 2007)
- Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai (July 2003–May 2007)
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2003–July 2006)
- Nnenadi Usman (July 2006–May 2007)
- Oluyemi Adeniji (July 2003–July 2006)
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2006–August 2006)
- Joy Ogwu (August 2006–May 2007)
- Eyitayo Lambo (July 2003–May 2007)
(merged into Environment Jan 2007)
- Rahman Mimiko (June 2005–January 2007)
- Chukwuemeka Chikelu (July 2003–June 2005)
- Frank Nweke (June 2005–May 2007)
(merged to Commerce & Industry Jan 2007)
- Magaji Muhammed (–June 2005)
- Fidelis Tapgun (June 2005–January 2007)
- Iyorchia Ayu (–June 2005)
- Magaji Muhammed (June 2005–June 2006)
- Oluyemi Adeniji (June 2006–May 2007)
- Akin Olujimi (–June 2005)
- Bayo Ojo (June 2005–May 2007)
- Hassan Muhammed Lawal (July 2003–May 2007)
- Abdallah Wali (Jan 2007–May 2007)
(merged into Interior in Jan 2007)
- Broderick Bozimo (July 2003–January 2007)
- Liyel Imoke (July 2003–January 2007)
- Isoun Turner (July 2003–May 2007)
(later Mines & Steel)
- Odion Ugbesia (–June 2005)
- Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2005–)
- Leslye Obiora (Jan 2007–May 2007)
- Musa Mohammed (July 2003–July 2005)
- Saidu Samaila Sambawa (July 2005–June 2006)
- Bala Bawa Ka'oje (June 2006–May 2007)
- Femi Fani-Kayode (2006)
- Babalola Borishade (2006–May 2007)
- Precious Sekibo (July 2003–January 2007)
- Cornelius Adebayo (Jan 2007–May 2007)
(merged with Agriculture Jan 2007)
- Muktar Shagari (July 2003–January 2007)
- Rita Akpan (July 2003–June 2005)
- Maryam Ciroma (June 2005–May 2007)
- Adeseye Ogunlewe (July 2003–March 2006)
- Obafemi Anibaba (March 2006–Sep 2006)
- Cornelius Adebayo (Sep 2006–Jan 2007)
- Frank Nweke (April 2004–June 2005)
- Musa Mohammed (July 2005–June 2006)
- S. A. Jankanda (January 2007–May 2007)