Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCVO, CFR, CON, is a diplomat and the first African Secretary-General of Commonwealth.
Known by many as "the diplomat's diplomat", He devoted over 50 years of his life serving in the international space, the core of which was promoting democracy, good governance and world peace.
He served as Commonwealth Secretary General from 1990 to 2000.
His career in leadership spans many decades and institutions, both national and internationally. The promotion of democracy on the African continent has always been his primary focus and an area of concern. His precociousness in leadership showed when he joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation at the tender age of 26, in 1959.
Shortly after the Nigerian independence, the new Government invited him to join the country’s diplomatic service. In 1963, he was posted to Nigeria's Permanent Mission at the United Nations (UN) in New York.
In 1998, the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, in recognition of Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s antecedents concerning South Africa, and the manner in which he had championed the cause of the progressive movements around the world, afforded him the rare honour of addressing a joint sitting of the South African National Assembly. Lastly, former President Nelson Mandela wrote the foreword to Chief Chukwuemeka Anyaoku’s book, Eye of Fire.
In early 1997, he organised the first African Commonwealth Heads of Government Roundtable to promote democracy and good governance on the continent. However, he still honours his traditional duties, serving as a chief in the midst of his international commitments.
He also hosted peace talks between Nigerian and Biafran representatives during the war.
He holds over 33 honorary Doctorate degrees from top universities in Britain, Canada, Ghana, Republic of Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa, Switzerland and Ghana.
Excitement as Olusegun Obasanjo meets the then Commonwealth’s Emeka Anyaoku a week after he left prison in 1998.
He continues to fulfil the duties of his office as Ichie Adazie Obosi, a traditional Ndichie chieftaincy title.
He turns 90 today.
Let's celebrate an Icon living.
More photos below.
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