₦airaland Forum

Chief Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian accountant and politician who is the president-elect of Nigeria. He served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and senator for Lagos West during the brief Third Republic.

Tinubu spent his early life in southwestern Nigeria and later moved to the United States where he studied Accounting at Chicago State University. He returned to Nigeria in the early 1990s and was employed by Mobil Nigeria as an accountant, before entering politics as a Lagos West senatorial candidate in 1992 under the banner of the Social Democratic Party. After dictator Sani Abacha dissolved the Senate in 1993, Tinubu became an activist campaigning for the return of democracy as a part of the National Democratic Coalition movement.

In the first post-transition Lagos State gubernatorial election, Tinubu won by a wide margin as a member of the Alliance for Democracy. Four years later, he won re-election to a second term. After leaving office in 2007, he played a key role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress in 2013. In 2023, he was elected president of Nigeria.

Early life and education
Tinubu is generally accepted in reliable sources to have been born in Nigeria in 1952; this year of birth is sometimes disputed by political opponents, who argue that he is much older. Some reliable sources note that his age has not been verfied. He completed undergraduate studies in the United States, first at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago and then at Chicago State University. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Early career and drug dealing allegations
Tinubu remained in the United States following graduation. In 1993, his assets were frozen by the US Government as a result of a court case asserting that the American government had "probable cause" to believe Tinubu's American bank accounts held the proceeds of heroin dealing. He settled with the government and forfeited about $460,000 later that year. Court documents and later reporting on the case suggested he worked in league with two Chicago heroin dealers. On his return to Nigeria in the early 1990s, he became an oil and gas company executive.

Early political career
Tinubu's political career began in 1991, when he joined the Social Democratic Party. In 1992, he was elected to the Senate, representing the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic.

After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition, a group which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of Moshood Abiola as winner of the 12 June election. Following the seizure of power as military head of state of General Sani Abacha, he went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of the military dictator, which ushered in the transition to the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

In the run-up to the 1999 elections, Bola Tinubu was a protégé of Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo. He went on to win the AD primaries for the Lagos State governorship elections in defeating Funsho Williams and Wahab Dosunmu, a former Minister of Works and Housing. In January 1999, he stood for the position of Governor of Lagos State on the AD ticket and was elected governor.

Governor of Lagos State
During his 8 years in government, Tinibu initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.

Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election into office as governor in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the People's Democratic Party in those elections. He was involved in a struggle with the Olusegun Obasanjo-controlled federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state.[citation needed] During the latter part of his term in office, he was engaged in continuous clashes with PDP powers such as Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Lagos State senator who had become minister of works, and Bode George, the southwest chairman of the PDP.

Relations between Tinubu and deputy governor Femi Pedro became increasingly tense after Pedro declared his intention to run for the gubernatorial elections. Pedro competed to become the AC candidate for governor in the 2007 elections, but withdrew his name on the eve of the party nomination. He defected to the Labour Party while still keeping his position as deputy governor.[18] Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State Governor ended on 29 May 2007, when his successor Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress took office.

Post-governorship
In 2006, Tinubu attempted to persuade the then-vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar to become the head of his party, the Action Congress (AC). Abubakar who was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), had recently fallen out with President Olusegun Obasanjo over Abubakar's ambition to succeed Obasanjo as president. Tinubu offered Abubakar the chance to switch parties and join the AC, offering him the his party's presidential candidacy, with the condition that he, Tinubu, would be Atiku Abubakar's running mate. Atiku declined the proposition and, having switched to the AC, chose a running mate from the South East, Senator Ben Obi. Although Atiku ran for office on Tinubu's platform in the election, the PDP still won, in a landslide.

In 2009, following the landslide victory of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 2007 elections, Tinubu became involved in negotiations to bring together the fragmented opposition parties into a "mega-party" capable of challenging the then ruling PDP. In February 2013, Tinubu was among several politicians who created a "mega opposition" party with the merger of Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP (nPDP), a faction of the then ruling People's Democratic Party – into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2014, Tinubu supported former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari, leader of the CPC faction of the APC – who commanded widespread following in Northern Nigeria, and had previously contested in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections as the CPC presidential candidate. Tinubu initially wanted to become Buhari's vice presidential candidate but later conceded for Yemi Osibanjo, his ally and former commissioner of justice. In 2015, Buhari rode the APC to victory, ending the 16-year rule of the PDP, and marking the first time an incumbent Nigerian president lost to an opposition candidate.

Tinubu went on to play an important role in the Buhari administration, supporting government policies and holding onto the internal party reins, in lieu of his long-held rumored presidential aspiration. In 2019, he supported Buhari's re-election campaign defeating the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar. In 2020, following an internal party crisis which led to the removal of Tinubu ally and party chairman Adams Oshiomole, it is believed the move was to scuttle Tinubu's presidential prospects ahead of 2023.

President-elect of Nigeria
2023 presidential campaign
On 10 January 2022, Tinubu made his formal announcement of candidacy for president.

On 8 June 2022, Tinubu won the party convention vote of the ruling APC, scoring 1,271, to defeat Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Rotimi Amaechi who scored 235 and 316 respectively.

On 1 March 2023, INEC declared Tinubu winner of the 2023 presidential election. He was declared president-elect after he polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his opponents. His runner-up Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) polled 6,984,520 votes. Labour Party's Peter Obi had 6,101,533 votes to come third.

Personal life
Tinubu married Oluremi Tinubu, who is the current senator representing the Lagos Central senatorial district, in 1987. They have 3 children, Zainab Abisola Tinubu, Habibat Tinubu and Olayinka Tinubu. He fathered 3 children from previous relationships, Kazeem Olajide Tinubu (12 October 1974 – 31 October 2017), Folashade Tinubu (born 17 June 1976) and Oluwaseyi Tinubu (born 13 October 1985), whose mother is rumoured to be the former air hostess and prophetess Bunmi Oshonike.

Tinubu's mother, Abibatu Mogaji, died on 15 June 2013 at the age of 96. On 31 October 2017, his son, Jide Tinubu, died in London. Tinubu is a Muslim. Tinubu holds two chieftaincies; he is the "Asiwaju" of Lagos and the "Jagaban" of the Borgu Emirate in Niger State.

I remember when I was pregnant with our first son, one day I saw blood flowing from me and when my husband returned home, I told him that I had a miscarriage. Boldly, and without any hesitation, he said, “You can’t have a miscarriage!”, and then asked to be served his meal.

Olubankole Wellington (born 27 March 1981), popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician.

Early life

Olubankole Wellington was born in the United States on 27 March, 1981 to Nigerian parents. His family returned to Nigeria when he was five years old. He began singing at a young age in his church choir.

Education

Wellington schooled in Lagos for his primary and secondary education and returned to further his tertiary education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, US on a scholarship. He started the record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2002 while studying. He also worked at GlobalSpec. In 2009, he left the US for Nigeria and established his record label in Lagos by signing artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales , and Wizkid to the label. He released a début studio album, Back in the Building, in 2005. His début single was Ebute Metta He wrote the first theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled "0809ja for life".

Personal life

Wellington married Adesua Etomi traditionally on 19 November 2017; the couple subsequently had their white wedding performed in South Africa on 25 November 2017. He had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017. In early 2021, Wellington and Adesua had a son. They kept the pregnancy a secret, catching many off guard on news of the baby's arrival.

NiMet WARNS OF POSSIBLE THERMAL DISCOMFORT

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of possible rise in temperature across some cities in Nigeria, which may lead to thermal discomfort.

In a release today the Agency said that observations from the source region indicates that temperature is expected to rise above 40 degrees in the next 48 hours.
According to the statement "parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba, and Adamawa are expected to record temperatures greater than 40°C. While most parts of the Northern cities are expected to record temperatures between 35°C to 40°C, this includes parts of Oyo, Kwara, FCT, Nasarawa, and Benue". It reads.

The statement further warned that cities like Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, and Yola are at risk of experiencing high thermal discomfort, while the following days, parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba, and Adamawa are expected to experience temperatures greater than 40°C.

The Agency therefore advise people in these locations to drink a lot of fluid through this period.

NiMet assures of continuous monitoring of the weather and update Nigerians accordingly.

The property being purportedly attacked by some youths in a video clip circulating on the social media does not belong to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The INEC Chairman does not own the property in question in either Bauchi or anywhere else around the world.

This narrative is indeed the latest in the series of desperate smear campaign efforts by mischief makers. The public should disregard it.

Rotimi L. Oyekanmi
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman
Saturday 25th March 2023.

The property being purportedly attacked by some youths in a video clip circulating on the social media does not belong to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The INEC Chairman does not own the property in question in either Bauchi or anywhere else around the world.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/HBbUKUdmWc

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) March 25, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed the evacuation of banknotes from its vaults to commercial banks across the country as part of a coordinated effort to ease the circulation of banknotes of various denominations.

The CBN has also directed all commercial banks to open for operation on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, stating that a substantial amount of money, in various denominations, had been received by the commercial banks for onward circulation to their respective customers.

According to him, the CBN had directed all banks to load their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) as well as conduct physical operations in the banking halls through the weekends.

“Branches of commercial banks will operate on Saturdays and Sundays to attend to customers’ cash needs,” he noted, adding that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, would personally lead teams to monitor the level of compliance by the banks in various locations across the country.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be patient as the current situation would ease soon with the injection of more banknotes into circulation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had directed its members to picket the offices of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nationwide over cash scarcity.

God has remained my strength and fortress. I shall continue to glorify and honor Him.

Thank God for a remarkable gift of 58 years.

#IhediohaAt58

Emeka Ihedioha (pronunciation) (born 24 March 1965) is a Nigerian politician and businessman. He is the former Governor of Imo State and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was removed from office as the Executive Governor of Imo state on 14 January 2020, by the Supreme Court of Nigeria which declared the APC candidate (Hope Uzodinma) the authentic winner of the 2019 Imo gubernatorial election.

Ihedioha is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and represented the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State from 2003 to 2015. He holds a National Honor as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

In 2015, Ihedioha served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and subsequent swearing-in of Aminu Tambuwal as the Executive Governor of Sokoto State. He became Governor of Imo State in 2019, winning the Gubernatorial race.

Political career

In 1992, Ihedioha was appointed press officer to the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Iyorchia Ayu. A year later he was appointed chief press secretary to the Deputy Senate President. Following a military incursion in the polity in November 1993, Ihedioha returned to his communications practice as Chief Executive Officer of First Page Communications. He became Director of Publicity of the newly formed People's Democratic Movement, the purveyor of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1998.

He was appointed special assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Utilities in July 1999, as a special assistant on media and publicity to the President of the Senate in November 1999, and as a special assistant on political matters to the Vice President in September 2001. He won a seat in the House of Representatives as a member representing Aboh Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State in 2003.

He was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. During this period, he served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives after Tambuwal's swearing-in as the Executive Governor of Sokoto State.

On 9 March 2019, Ihedioha contested for the gubernatorial seat for Imo State under the political platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On 11 March 2019, Ihedioha was declared Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sitting in Imo State, after he defeated Uche Nwosu (son-in-law of the incumbent governor) who ran under the Action Alliance Party (AA), with a total of 273,404 votes.

He was removed from office on 14 January 2020 by a Supreme Court judgment.

Agbu Kefas (born 12 November 1970) is a Nigerian politician, retired Nigerian army lieutenant colonel and the former PDP state chairman, Taraba State.

Early life and education

Agbu Kefas was born on 12 November 1970, in Wukari, Taraba State (formally Gongola State), Nigeria to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kefas. His family is renowned for great strides and achievements in the military and public service. He is a product of some of the most reputable institutions of learning in Nigeria, namely; the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Defense Studies in 1994, the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, where he bagged a Masters Degree in Legal Criminology & Security Psychology in 2005 and the Delta State University, Abraka where he obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2008. Also, he has a number of prestigious Executive education certifications from global institutions like Harvard Kennedy School in US.

Political career

Agbu Kefas retired from the Nigerian army after 21 years of service. Upon his retirement, he was appointed chairman Governing board of directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between 2013 and 2015.[8] He was also a member of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative from 2016 to 2019 before he fully joined politics by emerging the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Taraba State in 2020.[9] In 2022, Agbu Kefas contested in the Taraba State PDP gubernatorial primary election and won.

Personal life

Agbu is married to Patience and they have four children.

Uba Sani is a Nigerian engineer and politician who is the governor-elect of Kaduna State. He has served as senator for Kaduna Central since 2019. He was elected on 23 February 2019, under the platform of the All Progressive Congress. He defeated the incumbent senator Shehu Sani of the PRP.

Early life

Uba Sani was born on 31 December 1970 in Zaria local government area of Kaduna State. A Mechanical Engineer by training, he holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Calabar and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Abuja.

Uba Sani protested against military authoritarianism in Nigeria, leaving behind a footprint of bravery and patriotism. He deployed his organization and networking skills in creating a strategic base for the pro-democracy movement in Northern Nigeria. He also made ample use of his civil society organization, the Movement for Freedom and Justice to champion the rights of the underprivileged and offered them unfettered access to justice. He has held successfully the roles of the National Vice Chairman (North) of Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Deputy National Chairman (North) of the Joint Action Committee (JACON) led by the legendary Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN.

Politics

Sani went into politics after the return of Democracy in Nigeria in 1999, and supported the People's Democratic Party presidential candidate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. After winning the presidential election, Sani was appointed Special advisor on public affairs to the president. He also worked at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on some advisory roles to the then FCT Minister, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and the Kaduna State Ministry of Housing and Works. In 2011, Sani contested in the People's Democratic Party primaries for the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat but he lost the primaries, and in 2015, he was appointed by the Kaduna state governor Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai as the Special Adviser, Political and intergovernmental affairs. However, in 2019, Sani showed interest and contested the second time for the Kaduna Central senatorial seat under the ruling political party, All Progressives Congress, APC and was elected senator during the February 2019 Nigeria general elections. In 2022, Uba Sani picked APC nomination forms for 2023 governorship election in Kaduna State.

2023 elections

Sani emerged the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State for 2023 elections. He defeated Sani Sha'aban and Bashir Abubakar to emerge winner at the primaries. Uba Sani is believed to be El-Rufai's anointed candidate.[8]

Kaduna Guber elections

Senator Uba Sani won the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to represent the party at the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Senator Uba Sani still occupies the Senatorial Seat representing Kaduna Central at the upper chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

Dikko Umar Radda (born 10 September 1969) is a Nigerian economist and politician who is the governor-elect of Katsina State. He was director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). He was elected governor of Katsina State in the 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections.

Early life and Education

He was born on 10 September 1969 in Hayin gada town, Dutsinma Local government area of Katsina state of Nigeria.

Education

He started his basic education at Radda Primary School from 1974 to 1980. He went to Zaria Teachers College between 1980 and 1985. And also he attended Kafanchan College of Education in 1986–1990, where he obtained his NCE certificate. Later attended Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi in 1992–1996, where he completed his B-Tech.Agric Economic and Extension (Hons) studies, then he got admission into Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1998- 2004 where he received MSC Agric Extension and Rural Sociology 2004. He returned to ABU Zaria in 2005 to obtain a master's degree in international affairs and diplomacy. He completed his Ph.D. in Agriculture and Rural Sociology in 2015.

Spouses
Zulaiha Dikko Radda
Fatima Dikko Radda

Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto (born 1 January 1970) is a Nigerian politician who is the governor-elect of Sokoto State. He was a former commissioner and was the deputy governor of Sokoto State from 2015 until his resignation in 2018.

Early life and background

Ahmed Aliyu was born on 1 January 1970, in Tudun wada at Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto state, Nigeria. He has worked as a cashier, an auditor and an accountant. He was deputy director of Finance and Supply, Sabon-Birni Local Government, 1996 to 1998; Director of Finance and Supply, Kebbe Local Chief Accountant Local Government Service Commission, 2004 to 2007. He was a two-term Commissioner and the first Executive Secretary of Police Trust Fund (PTF).

Umar Namadi (born 7 April 1963) is a Nigerian accountant and politician who is the governor-elect of Jigawa State. He has served as the deputy governor of Jigawa State since 2019.

Background

Namadi was born on 7 April 1963 in Kafin Hausa, then Northern Region. He became qualified as a chartered accountant in 1993 and holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University Kano where he earlier obtained his first Degree of Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1987.

Career

Alhaji Namadi is the founder of Namadi, Umar & Co Chartered Accountants firm based in Kano was from 1993 an Associate member of the Nigeria Institute of Management, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Taxation until 2010 when he became a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. Alhaji Namadi was also engaged in research works, on Sources and Application of Funds, Auditing a Computerized Information System and Community Banking. As the pioneer Head of Dangote Group Management Accounts Department, the finance expert was responsible for the establishment and foundation laying for the production of monthly management accounts for Dangote Group. Until his appointment, the commissioner was a member of the state committee on verification and validation of contracts as well as that of verification and staff audit.

Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (born 12 March 1965) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician, who is the governor-elect of Plateau State.

He is a former Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Hyacinth Iormem Alia (born 14 May 1966) is a Nigerian Catholic cleric and politician, who is the governor-elect of Benue State.

Early life and education

Hyacinth Alia was born on 14 May 1966, in Mbangur, Mbadede, Vandeikya local government area of Benue State. He got his First School Leaving Certificate from St. Francis Primary school, Agidi, Mbatiav in Gboko local government area of the state and in 1983, he enrolled at St. James Minor Seminary, Makurdi, where he began his religious career. He gained admission to study at St. Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos. He studied for a Diploma in Religious studies in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology in 1990. In 1999, he obtained a Master's in Religious Education (Psychology and Counseling) at Fordham University, Bronx, New York City, USA.[6] In 2004, he got an additional master's degree in biomedical ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania, US, in 2004 and a doctorate degree in the same course and the same university in 2005.

Career

Hyacinth Alia was ordained a Catholic Priest on 7 July 1990, by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of Makurdi Catholic Diocese.

Bassey Edet Otu (born 18 October 1959) is a Nigerian politician who represented the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency of Cross River State, Nigeria in the Federal House of Representatives from 2003 - 2011. He was elected Senator for Cross River South in the April 2011 elections, running on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform. He later defected in 2016 to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged the Cross River South Senatorial flag bearer of the party in the 2019 election. Prince otu is the current Governor Elect of Cross River state after the 2023 Gubernatorial polls.

Background

Prince Bassey Edet Otu was born on 18 October 1959 to the family of Late Eld. & Mrs. Edet Okon Otu of Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. He grew up in his home city of Calabar and in Jos, Plateau State, where his father had been assigned to the mission of the Church of Scotland. He obtained a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences from the University of Calabar. Before entering politics, he was engaged in banking and then in the petroleum sector. He also dabbles in farming.

House of Representatives (2003-2011)

Otu was elected a Member of House of Representatives in April 2003 to represent Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency and reelected in April 2007. Within this period (2003-2011), he was Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Vice Chairman, House Committee on National Population and member of committees on Power, Ministry of Niger Delta, Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Inter-Intra Party Relations, Environment, Water Resources and Defense. In a 2007 interview, he said the ruling by an international court that the Bakassi peninsula belonged to Cameroon was wrong, but that the job now was to resettle displaced relatives of Nigerians and move on. Otu was Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). In this role, he led work on a draft amendment bill that would reposition the Petroleum Technology Development Fund as a more effective vehicle to develop local content in the oil and gas industry.

The Senator, also for effective delivery sponsored the Nigerian Content Development Act, which today has revolutionized the petroleum sector and has put food on the table of many Nigerians.

Senator

In 2011, Otu was elected as Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District. On arrival in the Senate, he became the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and later Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and other financial Institutions; he was also a member, Committee on Navy, Power, Petroleum and Water Resources. His impact at the Senate was adjudged by many to be till date unprecedented; his name is said to be synonymous with human empowerment and societal development, this led to his being endorsed for re-election by Buhari Youth Organisation.

In 2018, Otu was appointed into the board of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He is a receiver of several awards, both nationally and internationally.

In his words, “I joined politics for service to humanity”. This is evidently true, as his record of empowerment ranging from Award of land documents and financial support to build, car awards, scholarships etc. is yet to be broken.

He is happily married to Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu and the marriage is blessed with children.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (born 19 June 1963) is a Nigerian politician and incumbent Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly as a representative of the Okpe State Constituency under the People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) Peoples Democratic Party and the governor elect of Delta state as of march 20th 2023 after winning the gubernatorial elections that was conducted on march 18th 2023(PDP).

Early childhood and education

Sheriff Oborevwori was born on 19 June 1963, to the family of Chief Samuel and Mrs. Esther Oborevwori of Osubi town in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. He began his early childhood education at Alegbo primary school and completed his secondary education at Oghareki Grammar School, Oghareki. He graduated from the prestigious Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2004 and later proceeded to obtain a master's degree in political science from the Delta State University Abraka in 2010. Oborevwori is an alumnus of the Alliance Manchester Business School of Manchester University Leadership Executive Certificate Programme and the London School of Economics and Political Science certificate Programme on Leading Inclusive Development.

Political career

Oborevwori began his political career as a grassroot politician; Chairman of the Okpe Community. However he broke into limelight in 2015 after he was elected as the member representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly under the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP). This is after 19 years of serving in several key government positions first beginning as a Councillor in 1996. He was elected speaker of Delta State House of Assembly on 11 May 2017 following the impeachment of the then Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya. He got re-elected in 2019 as Speaker for a second term following his victory at the polls to represent his constituency, the Okpe State Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly.

Professional affiliations, awards and special recognition

Oborevwori is a member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). He is also a fellow of the Chartered Management Consultant Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, Canada and Fellow of the Institute Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC). On May 14, 2018, he was recognized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) with a Legislative Icon Award through in honour of its several educational endeavours/scholarship programmes in supports of students across Delta State. He also received an honour from his kinsmen and was dabbed with a Chieftaincy Title; the Ukodo of Okpe by His Royal Majesty, the Orhorho 1, Orodje of Okpe in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the Okpe Kingdom.

Philanthropy activities

It was reported that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori provided scholarships to 25 indigene and non-indigene students in Okpe Local Government for the 2018/2019 academic session and other empowerment packs to the tune of six million naira on 24 June 2018 The educational support programme which was launched under the Oborevwori Foundation Scholarship Scheme was accompanied by other entrepreneurship support/empowerment endeavours to support petty traders, market women and artisans. The philanthropic gesture witnessed the donation of 24 buses/cars 10 tricycles, 20 hair dressing saloon kits, including generators, 40 grinding machines for millers, 30 sewing machines for tailors, 20 deep freezers for market women in frozen food business and clothing hundreds of clothing for widows.

Life and family

Sheriff Oborevwori is married to Mrs. Oborevwori Tobore. In May 2011, it was reported that she was allegedly abducted by gunmen along Osubi road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. The culprits were later arrested and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment.

Umo Bassey Eno (born 10 May 1964) is a Nigerian clergy and politician who is the governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State. He is the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in Akwa Ibom State, and the founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International.

Early life and education

Umo Eno attended Local Authority primary school in Lagos State, where he got his first school leaving certificate. He also attended St. Francis secondary school in Eket, Akwa Ibom State and Victory High School in Ikeja, Lagos State for his secondary education. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from the University of Uyo and later a Master's degree in the same field.

Career

After his secondary school education, he was employed to work in Union bank for some years before moving to Bertola Machine Tools Nigeria Limited and then to Norman Holdings Limited, where he became the chief executive officer before setting up Royalty groups, which belongs to him. In 2021, he was appointed Commissioner for lands and water resources in Akwa Ibom State by governor Udom Emmanuel and later resigned from his position to run for the governorship race.

Mohammed Umar Bago (born 22 February 1974) is a Nigerian politician. He was born in Minna, Niger State, to a Nupe family, He is a member of parliament for Chanchaga, Federal Constituency. He stands with the APC Party. He ran in the 9th National Assembly, contesting for Speaker House of Representatives of Nigeria. He came second to Femi Gbajabiamila. Mohammed Bago emerges APC governorship candidate in Niger for the upcoming 2023 general election.

Early life and education

Born in 1974, Umar Bago attended Marafa Primary School, Minna and Federal Government College, Jos. He earned his West Africa School Certificate from the WAEC. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

Bago has obtained several postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees, including a postgraduate diploma in management from the Federal University of Technology Minna in 2001, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in economics at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, in 2003, and a master's degree in finance at University of Calabar in 2005. He is also a distinguished alumnus from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in 2014.

Career

Bago worked with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Afri-Bank PLC respectively. He serves as manager at First City Monument Bank. In 2007 he entered politics.

He stated, "I won't back down, I just want to correct the mistake of the party leaders by opinion of zonings."

He chairs the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration. In 2016 he advised the management of the Maritime Commission that 83 staff should be sacked. He stated, "That is how touts are employed." He urged the Nimasa to spend money wisely in a well and prepared process. He won the APC gubernatorial primary elections in Niger state ahead of the 2023 general elections. Winner 2023 Governorship Election (Niger State)

Personal life and philanthropy

Bago is married with children. His mother, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, died on 1 June 2019 after a brief illness.

To improve the educational quality of his constituency, he bought 1000 forms of JAMB to his people. And also distributed 11 trailer loads of rice to his constituency as a palliative during Covid-19 pandemic period.

Dauda Lawal (born 2 September 1965) is a Nigerian banker and politician who is the governor-elect of Zamfara state. He was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections defeating the incumbent Governor Bello Matawalle of the APC.

He is an established leader in the Nigerian Banking Industry and is known to be one of the key players in the financial sector of the Nigerian Economy as he served as the executive director, Public Sector North, of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Early life

Dauda Lawal, an ethnic Muslim Hausa from Zamfara State, Dauda was born on 2 September 1965 into a humble family popularly known in the textile industry in Gusau, Zamfara State.

Education

Lawal graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1987 with B.Sc. in political science. he obtained an M.Sc. in political science/international relations from the same university in 1992, and holds a PhD in business administration from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, before going further to develop himself by taking courses at prestigious universities, including the London School of Economics, Harvard Business School, Oxford University Business School and Lagos Business School among others.

Professional career

He started his working career in 1989 as a political education officer with the Agency for Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reliance Nigeria. In 1989, he joined Westex Nigeria Limited as an assistant general manager. In 1994 he was appointed as an assistant consular officer (immigration), and later chief protocol officer, Embassy of Nigeria, Washington, D.C., US. Dauda Lawal joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc in May 2003; as relationship manager, commercial banking, and was at various times senior manager, Abuja Area office, business development manager, Abuja, principal manager, group head PSG II, assistant general manager (business development manager), Maitama, deputy general manager (business development manager), Maitama/group head public sector, Abuja. Between October 2010 and September 2011, Lawal was elevated to the position of executive vice president, public sector, North of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. In September 2012 he became executive director, Public Sector North, of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Political career

Lawal ran for office of the governor of Zamfara state in the APC primary election held in 2018 but lost to Mukhtar Shehu Idris.

He ran again in the PDP primary in 2022 and was nominated the party's flag bearer. In March 2023, he defeated incumbent Bello Matawalle to be elected governor of Zamfara State.

Corruption Allegations

An anti-corruption group, Nigeria public Transparency Initiative Group (NPTIG) has called on the federal government and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the source of $40 million allegedly traced to Dauda Lawal as a former Executive Director of the first Bank. The group National coordinator, Dr Hamisu Bayero, disclosed this in s statement issued to journalist in Sokoto. Where he urged the relevant authorities to compile Dauda Lawal account for how he got the $40 million, since the bank's rules prevented him from carrying out any business while in office as executive director.The group urged the relevant authorities including the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out a holistic investigation in unveiling such a suspicious amount of money. The group also urged the anti-graft agencies not to enter a plea-bargain deal on the matter, saying such negotiation with suspect is like condoning criminal activities especially on issues that Borden on Corruption, stealing and other crimes the EFCC had earlier confiscated Dauda Lawal on Allegations that it was proceeds of corruption.

Awards

FirstBank CEO Merit Award for Outstanding Performance as the "Best Business Development Manager" in 2006 and "The Most Enterprising Staff" in 2009.

Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is a Nigerian politician, entrepreneur and administrator who served as two-terms Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

He currently emerged the winner of Ebonyi State APC 2023 gubernatorial candidate. Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru currently serves as the State Representatives representing Izzi West constituency at the State Legislature.

He is the speaker of the 5th and 6th Ebonyi State House of Assembly who is aspiring to be Ebonyi State governor in 2023.

He was born on 1975.

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (born 17 March 1972) is a Nigerian maritime lawyer, financial analyst, and politician. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd. Mbah is a native of Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu state, Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Certified Institute of Public Administration and Management (CIPM), a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Nigerian Bar Association.

He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On May 25, 2022, Peter Mbah emerged as the Enugu state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Nigeria`s 2023 general elections, following the primary election held in Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, with a total of 790 votes out the 807 cast by the delegates.

Currently the Executive Governor Elect In the last 2023 Enugu state Gubernatorial election under People Democratic Party].

Early life and education

Peter Mbah was born in Enugu to the family of Chief Gilbert Ekete Mbah from Ashishi Owo, Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State. He attended Army Children’s School, Bori Camp, Portharcourt and Owode High School, Owode Egba Ogun State. Mbah studied law at the University of East London, U.K., earning a Bachelor of Laws in 2000. He then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He has a master’s degree in Maritime and Commercial Law awarded by Lagos State University in 2004. Mbah holds an MBA from IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona Spain, and Post Graduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Political Science by Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, in 2021.

Career

After graduation, Dr. Peter Mbah participated in the National Youth Service Corps in Udeh and Associates law firm in Lagos. As an entrepreneur, he founded the Peter Mbah Investments Limited in 1992, a service provider in the oil and gas sector. He is the founder of GILPEL Industries Ltd., an importer of general goods between 1993 to 1997, and also founded the FOCUS International Schools in Lagos state. Mbah is the sole agent of International Oil Corporation, a U.S.A oil and gas company based in Fresno, California. He is the founder/CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd. This establishment completed the development of Single Point Monitoring (SPM), Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) and storage facilities in Lekki Free Trade Zone in 2021.

Political career

Dr. Mbah was appointed Chief of Staff in 2003 and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development by Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani. He was a member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, the Enugu State Executive Council as well as a member of the State Security Council. He also served as Chairman of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee’s Sub-Committee on Legal Matters, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Insurance Company, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Finance and Investment Company, Chairman of the Enugu State Tenders’ Board. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On May 25, 2022, Peter Mbah emerged as the Enugu state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Nigeria`s 2023 general elections, following the primary election held in Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, with a total of 790 votes out the 807 cast by the delegates.

Philanthropy

Dr. Peter Mbah is the founder of Peter Mbah Foundation (PMF), a not for profit and non political organization aimed at improving standards of living in rural communities and human capital development.

Awards and recognition

Newswatch magazine as one of the ten most outstanding Commissioners in Nigeria in 2005.

Honorary Doctorate degree in Political Science from Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.

Personal life

Dr. Peter Mbah is married to Nkechinyere Mbah, and together they have four children.