Sylvester Ugoh: A Fellow of Fellows
Kalu Diogu
Here is an article from today's Post Express. Enjoy!
KKD
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Justice in Service of Community
Category: News
Date of Article: 07/29/99
Topic: Sylvester Ugoh: A Fellow of Fellows
Author: Jim Pressman, Freelance
Full Text of Article:
IF you are young, you probably only remember him as the
vice-presidential running mate to Alhaji Bashir Tofa on the
National Republican Congress Party, (NRC) in the aborted Third
Republic. If you are a bit older, you may also remember him as a
one- time minister for Education and Centre for Science and
Technology. If you belong to my generation (I was born before
independence) you ought to remember Dr. Sylvester U. Ugo as the
governor of the (Central) Bank of Biafra, during the unfortunate
civil war that nearly tore Nigeria to pieces.
Thank God, Nigeria is still one. And the theme of the 40th Annual
Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society, which opened at the
Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers Wednesday July 21st, is fiscal
federalism and Nigeria's economic development - a most topic issue
of the day.
A major highlight of the crowded two- day affair was the
investiture of Dr. Sylvester U. Ugoh, a past president and
life-member of the association with a fellowship of the NES, the
highest honour the body can do to any of its members.
Judging by the antecedents of Ugoh, as illustrated by the very
brief citation prepared and read by Dr. John C. Anyanwu, the
outgoing secretary of NES (who was planning to gun next for the
vice president position), Dr. Ugoh is eminently qualified for what
he got.
Yet, Ugoh, whose middle name must be humility told this reporter
in an interview after the conferment ceremony, "I feel honoured and
gratified, that my colleagues considered me worthy of a
fellowship. I shall continue to do what I have been doing, because
the recognition is more or less a spur for me to do more, until I
have no more strength left in me to continue."
I asked Ugoh if he felt any embarrassment or sense of guilt at the
reminder in the citation of his role as governor of the Central
Bank of the defunct Republic of Biafra (1968-1970). Hear him: "No,
no embarrassment whatsoever. At such a crucial time in our
history, I was considered fit to do a job which was also crucial
to Biafra, and I did my best."
Then you want to satisfy your curiosity further about this man who
has been to so many places, done so many things. So you ask Ugoh,
Sir, looking back on a life of achievement such as yours, do you
feel fulfilled, or are there some things you still wish you could
have done?
"Always, you know," Ugoh tells you, "there's more to be done. But I
consider myself fulfilled. I was very busy all the time and I was
single-minded in my pursuits. The world, as they say, is a stage,
at anytime you play your role and then move on. That has been my
experience."
Dr. Sylvester U. Ugoh had indeed played many a role since he was
born in Umuokrika, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State of Nigeria on April
20, 1931.
After primary and secondary education at home, he took a Bachelor
of Arts in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1959,
a Master of Arts in the same field of study from Havard in 1961
and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics in 1964.
An associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Management
(ANIM), and a fellow of the Downforth Foundation (a rare honour),
Dr. Ugoh's professional antecedent is a marathon.
He has been: Executive Director (1977-79) SOKOUP and co.
(Associated Business Consultants) with which he is still
associated, director Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, 1975-79,
director, Study of Taxation Services for NNDC (1973), director,
Feasibility Study for the Manufacturing of Plywood and Veneer in
the North-Eastern State (1973), member, Project Development Agency
(1970-73), External Examiner M.A. Economics, University of Ibadan
(1970-72), acting director, Economic Development Institute,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1970-71), member, Economic Advisory
Committee, Government of Eastern Nigeria (1966-67), director,
African Continental Bank Ltd (1966-67), lecturer in Economics, UNN
(1961-66), minister of Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria
(1982-83), minister of Science and Technology (1979-83), director,
World Bank Study on Review of Custom and Excise Tariffs in Nigeria
(1987), director, Monitoring and Assessment of ADB Stimulation
Loan to Nigeria (1988), director in the 20-Year Perspective Plan
for Nigeria, sectoral studies on three crops and forestry and
mineral resources (1990-1992), and executive director SKOUP and
Co. Ltd since 1984.
A widely published author, research articles and mimeographs, Dr.
Sylvester U. Ugo was one of the only two slated for Abuja Sheraton
investiture. The other was Professor O. Teriba.
The 40th Annual Conference of the NES was, by their own
acknowledgment, supported financially by the CBN, the (former)
office of General Staff, NDIC, Federal Ministry of Finance, NEXIM,
SEC and BPE.
Abuja Sheraton offered them over 50 per cent rebate on cost of
facilities and menu, while NTA granted NES air-time.