Nzo Ekangaki facts for kids

Nzo Ekangaki was an important political leader from Cameroon, a country in Africa. He was born in 1934 and passed away in 2005. He is best known for being the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) from 1972 to 1974. The OAU was a group of African countries that worked together for peace and cooperation on the continent.

Early Life and Education

Nzo Ekangaki was born on March 22, 1934, in a place called Nguti, in the Kumba Division of Cameroon. He was a bright student and even wrote some books when he was younger. His first book, An Introduction to Eastern Kamerun, was published in 1956. Two years later, in 1958, he published another book called To the Nigeria People.

After his early studies, Ekangaki traveled to West Germany to continue his education. This experience helped him prepare for a future in politics and public service.

A Career in Cameroonian Politics

When Nzo Ekangaki returned to Cameroon, he quickly became involved in the country's government. In 1961, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Cameroon. This was a big step in his political journey.

Soon after, when the two parts of Cameroon united, he became a member of the National Federal Assembly. He was re-elected to this important position in April 1964. His skills and dedication were recognized, leading to more responsibilities.

Key Government Roles

Ekangaki held several important jobs in the Cameroonian government:

• On February 14, 1962, he was named the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. This role meant he helped manage Cameroon's relationships with other countries.
• On May 25, 1965, he became the Minister of Labor. In this position, he was in charge of issues related to workers and jobs in the country.

He served as Minister of Labor until 1972, when he took on a much bigger role on the African continent.

Leading the Organisation of African Unity

In 1972, Nzo Ekangaki was chosen to be the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). This was a very important job, as he would be leading an organization that worked to unite African countries and solve problems together. He was elected during a meeting of African leaders in Rabat, Morocco, on June 15, 1972.

He took over from Diallo Telli of Guinea, who had been the Secretary-General for eight years. Ekangaki's role was to help guide the OAU's efforts in promoting peace, cooperation, and development across Africa.

Resignation and Later Career

Nzo Ekangaki served as Secretary-General of the OAU for about two years. In 1974, he decided to resign from his position. After his time at the OAU, he returned to Cameroon.

When he came back, the President of Cameroon at the time, Ahmadou Ahidjo, gave him a less prominent job as a Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Territorial Administration. He worked in this role from 1974 to 1985. Later, from 1985 to 1989, he served as an Adviser for Administrative Affairs under the new President, Paul Biya.

Final Years

Nzo Ekangaki passed away in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on June 3, 2005. He was buried in his hometown of Nguti on June 25, 2005. He is remembered for his long career in public service and his efforts to promote unity in Africa.