Many Nigerians are looking forward to actualise their dreams in 2024. But the sun set for some prominent Nigerians in 2023 even if their memories linger for a long time.
Here are 10 of the prominent Nigerians who died in 2023.
Rotimi Akeredolu:- Rotimi Akeredolu was a renowned lawyer, fighter for justice and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was elected the Governor of Ondo State in 2017 and was re-elcted for a second term in 2011. Akerodolu died on Tuesday, December 2023 at a German hospital. He died of leukemia and prostate cancer; two ailments that had made him incapacitated for several months. Akerdolu died at the age of 67.
Ghali Na’Abba: – Ghali Na’Abba was the 8th Speaker of the House of Representatives. He died in Abuja on Wednesday morning. Na’Abba was said to have battled with ailment for a long time before passing away. He became the Speaker of the House of Representatives after the first Speaker of the Fourth Republic, Salisu Buhari, resigned.
Chukwuemeka Ezeife: – Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife was the Governor of Anambra State in Nigeria from January 1992 to November 1993 during the Nigerian botched Third Republic. He was a foremost Igbo leader. Ezeife, aged 85, breathed his last at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on December 14.
Ben Nwabueze: – Nwabueze, a constitutional lawyer, was a former Minister of Education and a pioneer Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Nwabueze was considered one of the leading experts on constitutional law in Africa. He died on Sunday October 29, 2023, aged 94.
Akintola Williams: – Akintola Williams was the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant. In 1952, he founded the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa, Akintola Williams & Co, in Lagos. He was a founding member and first president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. Williams played a leading role in establishing the Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960 with the goal of training accountants. He was the first president of the association. He played an invaluable role in the establishment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He died at his home in Lagos on 11 September 2023, at the age of 104.
Taiwo Akinkunmi:- Pa Akinkunmi was agriculturist and electrical engineer. He was the one who designed the Nigerian flag. Akinkunmi designed the flag when he was studying at the Norwood Technical College, currently known as Lambeth College in London. He died on 29 August 2023, at the age of 87 after a brief illness.
Aisha Bello Mustapha: – The death of this veteran broadcaster and journalist was confirmed on December 11. Bello was a popular face on NTA network in the 1990s and 2000s. She was a popular “Network News at 9” anchor. She retired in May 2022 after working with the NTA for 35 years. President Bola Tinubu in his remark upon the demise of Mustapha, stated: “Her legacy in broadcast journalism lives on in the rich news archives she leaves behind and the contributions she made to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria. She brought news to life and will continue to be a beacon to inspire generations in the beautiful art of broadcasting.”
Abdulfatai Fayemi Adeyemi: He was one of the sons of the late Alaafin of Oyo. He died on December 8th a few hours before his 47th birthday. He was said to have succumbed to complications arising from his battle with diabetes. He died at University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State. He was before his death appointed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Pension Board, in his first term.
Alhaji Abubakar Shehu: Abba Bello Haliru, was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency. He was the first son of former PDP national chairman, Dr Bello Haliru. He died on 25 February 2023.
Nuhu Bamali:- Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamali was the Ambassador of Morocco. He was also the Magajin Garin Zazzau and biological younger brother to the Emir of Zazzau, in Kaduna. He died in October at the age of 42.
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