Professor Inno Ukaeje
Professor Inno Ukaeje
Former President of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs - Professor Inno Ukaeje has died aged 75 in Dakar, Senegal.
He died on 6th March, 2013 at a private hospital of complications from the stroke he suffered in Nigeria, in March 2011.He was flown out of Nigeria for medical treatment and care in Vienna, Austria in April 2011, during which he also travelled to the United States of America for further treatment. In August 2012 , he proceeded to Dakar, Senegal to continue treatment, until his death two weeks ago.
Prof Ukaeje received his formal education from the Central Washington State University, Ellensburg, Washington, and University of Washington, Seatle, Washington, USA where he obtained his B.Sc (1968) and M.Sc (1969) degrees in Political Science. He also obtained his Ph.D (1978) from State University of New York, Binghamton, New York in Political Science with specialisation in International Relations and Political Economy.
He taught in several universities in the US before returning to Nigeria in 1979. Upon his return, he lectured in some universities in Nigeria including University of Lagos (1979 - 1981), University of Calabar (1981- 1990) and University of Abuja (1990 -2006), before he retired. His passion for imparting knowledge to the society took him to Nasarawa State University, Keffi on a contract appointment between 2006 and 2010 where he suffered the massive stroke in March 2011.
Prof. Ukaeje spent a greater part of his life in the academia in research and teaching on some of the world's past and contemporary political problems.
He was a realist thinker who wrote several books and publications especially on Nigerian Foreign Policy and Great Power Politics, African Government and Politics, Military Intervention and Prevention in Nigeria, as well as Strategic Studies and National Security Questions.
A staunch believer in the basic tenets of political science, "Prof." as he was fondly and popularly known, belonged to several professional associations including, Nigerian Political Science Association; Nigerian Society of International Affairs of which he was President of the body from 1987 - 1990; African Studies Association; American Association of Professors; International Political Science Association; and The Academy of Political Science.
According to his son - Azikiwe Ukaeje, "Prof. was a quintessential and fine gentleman. He would be remembered among other things for his humility and love for humanity, which drove him to readily share knowledge, love and material things with anyone who came across him. He loved Classical music, enjoyed reading, writing, walking and playing ping pong game."
He is survived by a wife, six children, grand children and other relations.