(Governor, Imo State Oct. 11979-Dec. 30, 1983)

Governor of Imo State (Oct. 1, 1979 – Dec. 30, 1983). Chief Barrister Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe, Ph.D. was the first elected Civilian Governor of the old Imo State during the Second Republic. He was born at Avutu Obowo in Obowo L.G.A. in 1930. After his primary education, he attended Teacher’s Training College, Oleh, Warri and Teacher’s Training Awka. He also attended Fourah Bay College, (University of Durham) Sierra Leone, University of Manchester, England, Hull University East Yorkshire, England, where he did his Master’s Degree in Law. Dee Sam Mbakwe also studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. He did his Ph.D. in Law from the Imo State University.

Chief Mbakwe had distinguished career in public and private life. He served on the Board of Governors of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (N.B.C.) from (1962 – 1966). For many years, Chief Mbakwe was a Legal Practitioner at Port Harcourt and Aba. He was the Administrator of the former Okigwe Province during the Nigeria Civil War, Chairman, Star Printing and Publishing Company Ltd. Enugu, Chairman, Monier Construction Company Ltd (MCC).

As a Member of the former Nigerian Constituent Assembly, he made valuable contributions during the drafting of the present Nigeria Constitution. He presented the case for the creation of Imo State at the Irikefe Commission and championed the case of the seizure of properties of Ndi Igbo in Port Harcourt after the Civil war (Abandoned Property).

Chief Mbakwe is today remembered for many laudable projects he initiated. These includes: The Aluminum Extrusion Plant, The Resin and Paint Industry, Cardboard and Packaging Industry. He established the defunct Progress Bank, Imo State University and Concorde Hotel, Owerri among others. He was married and had 8 children.