The esteemed and prolific academic, Professor Aja Akpuru Aja, has passed away. He was 66 years old when he succumbed to a brief illness on March 16, 2024.
In a statement issued by Prof. A. O. Unagha, Chairman of the Burial Committee, and Dr. E.J. Okorie, Secretary, on behalf of the family of Nigeria’s first Minister of Education, Onyibe Aja Nwachuku, CFR, it was announced that his remains will be interred in his hometown of Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The burial ceremony will take place at the football field of Government Secondary School, Okposi.
Professor Akpuru-Aja was a distinguished scholar in International Relations and Strategic Studies, dedicating 34 years of service to Abia State University, Uturu, including 17 years as a full professor. He also held visiting professorships at Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State and Gregory University in Uturu, Abia State. For several years, he served as a Directing Staff member at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State.
An author of numerous books and articles, Prof. Akpuru-Aja gained international acclaim, receiving accolades from former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the late Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General, for his book “The US Presidential Personalities and Power of Persuasion in Foreign Policy.”
He was a valued resource for key national institutions and played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s National Security and Foreign Policy.
The family requests that condolences be sent to [email protected].
