Former Military Governor of Lagos and Imo States, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd.) is dead. He died at the age of 77.

A close associate of the deceased said; “I can confirm that he has passed on. This is very sad news. A statement will be issued soon.”

Ndubuisi Kanu was born in Abia State in 1943. He obtained honorary Doctorate Degrees from the Imo State University and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Joining the navy, he went to India for cadet training. His naval career included positions in Personnel, Logistics and Training.

In July 1975 as a Lieutenant Commander he was appointed a member of Murtala Muhammed’s ruling Cabinet, the Supreme Military Council. He was appointed governor of Imo State in March 1976.

Kanu built roads in Owerri metropolis, expanded that number of Local Government Areas to 21 and founded the Imo Broadcasting Service, which went on air in December 1976. He later became Rear Admiral and Naval Chief.

Kanu, after he retired, joined the pro-democracy movement and played a leading role in the agitation for the actualization of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He founded and was Chairman of RANGK LTD, a maritime consultancy. He was Chairman of the Ohaneze Transition Caretaker Committee (OTC) and was Director of Fidelity Bank PLC. Kanu became a top National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain and became Chairman of the coalition in 2013.

In May 2008, Kanu called for a return to true federalism in Nigeria.

Kanu has married three times and has 10 children namely; Simone, Audrey, Kelly, Karen, Paula, Jeffery, Vanessa, Samantha, Laura and Stephen.

He was married to Gladys Ndubuisi-Kanu until his death in 2021.