Ekwueme Lazarus; Nigerian musicologist, an alumnus of Royal College of Music, London and the first professor of music made in Nigeria, University of Lagos. Laz Ekwueme was born January 28, 1936 in Orumba, now in Anambra State. He was educated formally at Ludwig-maxirrias University of Munich Germany. Yale University New Heaven, Connecticut, United States and Goethe Institute, Germany.
Ekwueme was at various times guest conductor, the New Haven chorale; Christmas broadcast; soloist Latin American Tour, Yale Glee Club, New .’Haven; Guest, director, International Chorale Festival Southern Connecticut State College Chorus and Music Festival, New Haven public schools. He also directed The Nigerian National Choir for Festival of Arts and culture, 1977; 8th All Africa Games organised by COJA, Abuja 2003; the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting; CHOGM, Abuja 2004[i]. His first meeting with Steve Rhodes was in the field of drama though Steve was another iconic orchestra who composed the evergreen Oni Dodo[ii]. After retiring as a university lecturer he ascended the traditional stool, Eze Ijikala II, Anambra State.
[i] Insider February 11, 2008
[ii] Tell July 21, 2008