Ike Ekweremadu Honoured By United States To Deliver 2016 Constitution

The embattled deputy Senate president will become the first non-US citizen to deliver the lecture commemorating the ratification of the world’s oldest written constitution on September 17, 1787.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been honoured by the United States to deliver the 2016 edition of the USA Constitution Day Lecture, titled: ”Influence of the U.S Constitution on African Democracies”.

Vanguard reports that in a statement issued by Mr Uche Anichukwu who is the special adviser on media to Ekweremadu, he noted that the programme will take place on September 7.

The statement read: “In commemoration of Constitution Day, the Law Library of Congress will host a discussion about the influence of the U.S. Constitution on African democracies. The event will feature Sen Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate of Nigeria, and immediate past Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States.

 “He will explore how elements of the U.S. Constitution have influenced the rise of democracy in Africa and how these rising democracies have expanded upon rights inspired by the U.S. Constitution.

“The discussion will take place at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 7, in room LJ-119 of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C.”

“The event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.

 “Sen. Ekweremadu is a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having been consecutively elected into its Senate in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. He is also known for his guidance in overseeing the first (three sets) and only amendment(s) to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

 “He has held several elective and appointive positions before coming to the Senate.

“Sen. Ekweremadu has published and spoken extensively on constitution-making in emerging democracies. He is the author of the book ‘Who Will Love My Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of Our Dreams’ (2016) and lead author of the book ‘Constitutional Review in an Emerging Democracy: The Nigerian Experience’ (2014).

“He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also holds a Ph.D. in law from the University of Abuja, in addition to leadership certificates from Harvard University and Oxford University”.