Ex-Minister, Silas Ilo dies in London at 73

Former Minister of state for health and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Silas Arinze Ilo has died at the age of 73 years.

Eldest son of the former minister, Chukwudi Ilo, announced his demise while briefing newsmen in Enugu Wednesday. Ilo, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP in Enugu State, hails from Inyi in Oji River local government area of Enugu State.


“He died in the early hours of Thursday 31st of October, 2013 at his London residence”, said the son, who added that details of his burial arrangement would be announced by the family in due course.

He left Nigeria for a vacation in London about three weeks ago where her reportedly developed a heart related ailment.

Chief Ilo was a public servant with a vast track record. He was the Minister of State (Health) from 1993 – 1995, National Commissioner, National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) 1995-1998, Permanent Secretary in the service of Enugu State Government and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health among others.

Until his death, Chief Ilo was the chairman, South-East caucus of Rebuild Nigeria Initiative, ‘Project One Nigeria’.

Hon. Ilo was a Church leader and the founder, Leaders’ Fellowship and Ministry of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (LFMFR).

He was a management consultant and a politician. He once contested the governorship of Enugu State on the platform of PDP.