Twenty-six governors have been declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the April 11, 2015 elections. Out of this number, some governors have been in the public glare over the years. Others are just emerging from a long history of life’s struggles. In this special report, our reporters have unearthed some previously unpopular details about some of these governors-elect, culminating in their journeys to the top in their states.

Bagudu: ‘Kosai’ hawker takes over mantle of leadership in Kebbi

The governor-elect of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu sold bean cake, popularly known in Hausa as ‘kosai’ while he was growing up. A former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Garba Muhammad Dandiga, who was a classmate and a childhood friend of the governor-elect, revealed this to our reporter when he spoke on the governor-elect’s background last week in Birnin Kebbi.

Making bare some of the unknown story of the governor-elect, Dandiga said “Just like the governor-elect has been saying, as a struggling child, he used to hawk kosai (bean cake), panke (fried flour balls (kpof-kpof) in a motor park in Karaye, Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where he grew up.”

He was born in 1961 into a reputable family of a seasoned educationist, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Bagudu, who was the headmaster of Karaye Primary School and taught in many primary schools. The former commissioner said Senator Bagudu is the second child in the family. His elder brother is Bello Bagudu. His other younger brothers are Farouku Bagudu, Ibrahim Bagudu, Shehu Bagudu and his other younger sisters.

“His elder brother, Bello, was actually my mate before Senator Bagudu got accelerated promotion due to his outstanding performance. At the end of the day, we became classmates. We took school leaving exams together. He also attended same Government Secondary School, Kontagora in Niger State,” he added.

He said the governor-elect became lecturer after his first degree at the Department of Economics, Usman Danfodio University (UDU), where he graduated because of his excellent performance. But later went into banking.

He added, “From the banking job, he travelled abroad for further studies and returned to become the special assistant to a finance minister during General Sani Abacha’s reign. He worked closely with the late head of state’s children. That was his last stint in government service and continued to be an economic consultant.”

Ortom: From motor park to Benue Government House

For many people, the Benue State governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, is the immediate past Minister of State for Trade, Commerce and Industry, who aspired to become governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December, 2014 but lost the bid. He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he finally achieved his dream.

Beyond this mere knowledge of his triumph, Ortom, who is today an industrialist, a farmer, a businessman, a politician, a philanthropist, an administrator and an employer of labour, rose steadily in life from what can best be described as “grass to grace.”

Born on April 23, 1961 in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, young Ortom was enrolled into St. John’s Primary School, Gboko in 1970 but moved to St. Catherine’s Primary School, Makurdi in 1974, where he completed primary education in 1976. He was later admitted into Idah Secondary Commercial College, Idah in Kogi State that same year, where he spent only two years before his father’s retirement in 1979 brought an abrupt end to his dream of completing formal secondary school education on account of inability to pay school fees.

It was about this time, he once testified, he knew Jesus Christ and became a born again Christian. So, the story has never been the same from one stage to another. From a tout to bus conductor, taxi driver, and salesman, he rose steadily by God’s help.

As a hardworking teenager, he began to strive for a living, working as a tout at Gboko motor park, where he met a good spirited Nigerian, who taught him how to drive on account of his honesty and dedication to duty. Another one helped him to obtain a driver’s license. Soon, he was employed as a professional driver.

He became the driver and confidant of a prominent Gboko-based Christian leader and politician, Pa Samu Ihugh. In his usual manner, he normally waited for his boss after closing from work every day with a view to assisting his benefactor. One day, he hung around voluntarily in the house, sitting on a bench when the wind blew a piece of paper, which was an advert for enrolment into the National School of Salesmanship, Manchester, towards him.
Ortom picked the paper, read the content and decided to enroll for a course by correspondence. Soon, he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE) as well as Diploma in Salesmanship. Thereafter, he enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and obtained both the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Certificate, in 1995 and Diploma in Journalism in 1998.

He also attended the Benue State University, where he obtained Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management in 2001 as well as Masters of Public Administration in 2004. He crowned his educational pursuit with a Doctor in Philosophy, Ph.D, from the Commonwealth University, Belize, through distant learning.

He rose from salesman to sales manager in Gyado Foods Coy. Ltd, before his election as executive chairman of Guma Local Government Area between 1991 and 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He held various party positions in different political parties. He was a PDP national auditor before his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in July 2011.

Ganduje: Herdsman becomes governor-elect in Kano

While growing up, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor-elect of Kano State, like other Fulani children in the country, herded livestock from their community in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area to other areas.

With his stick, the governor-elect, who has been in the corridors of power for over three decades in the state, took care of the livestock of his late father to graze around their farming community, an act that exposed him to the nitty-gritty of animal rearing.
Born to the late Mallam Umar, the district head of Ganduje in 1949, the Kano governor-elect started his education at Dawakin Tofa Primary School in 1956. But his close aides said even at school, he never stopped the rearing of animals. During holidays, he returned to his father’s cattle ranch.
From the primary school, he went to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State. He proceeded to Advanced Teachers’ College, Kano, where he bagged the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE).

To enhance his academic base, he went to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he bagged B.Sc in Education in 1975. He obtained a master’s degree in Psychology in 1979. In 1993, he crowned it with a Ph.D in Public Administration at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.

After his NYSC in Delta State in 1976, Ganduje started his working career at the Kano State Ministry of Education. After a year, he joined the services of Advanced Teachers College in Gumel.
He had an inroad to the political terrain in 1981 when he moved his services to the Federal Capital Development Authority as he held several positions during his 12 years sojourn.

In 1994, he was appointed Commissioner for Works, a position he held for four years until 1998 when he resigned and joined politics. He was elected as the running mate of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Since, he has been around the corridors of power in the state.
Sunday Trust gathered that despite his political growth, Ganduje is still addicted to cattle rearing as he has a gigantic cattle ranch that is being managed by the herdsmen.



Abubakar: Jigawa governor-elect started transport business with one car

Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the governor-elect in Jigawa State is a renowned local and international businessman.

A source, who spoke to Sunday Trust on condition of anonymity, said the governor-elect, whose business now spread across various sectors, started transport business two decades ago with one car.

Born in 1962 at Babura town in Jigawa State, he holds a B.Sc in Accounting from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He is also an alumnus of the glorious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

His business empire, which is now Talamiz Group, is a conglomerate, with vast interest in automobile distribution, logistics (including maritime and road transport), haulage, real estate and manufacturing, construction, agriculture and agro-allied, and commodity distribution among others.

The source said Badaru’s business, the Talamiz Group, had developed into vast conglomerate with branches in Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium.

The Talamiz Group comprises Talamiz Nigeria Limited, Talamiz Motors, Talamiz Consumer Company, Talamiz Transport, Talamiz Commodities, Talamiz Properties, Talamiz Poultry and Farms, and Talamiz Petroleum, Talamiz Oil Mill Limited, Socar Talamiz Limited, RMR shipping Bv (Breda Holland), AML BONDED TERMINAL, ALUAFRIC Cairo and a Director of Sahih Nigeria Limited.

Badaru is also a member of the National Council on Privatisation, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the immediate past national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the second vice president of the Federation of West Africa Chamber of Commerce (FEWACCI), which is the regional body of Chambers of Commerce in the West African region.

Udom: From grace to glory

Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, had a headstart in life, which many people, in his home state, never have.
Unlike his contemporaries, who walk through thick and thin to achieve success in life, Udom was lucky to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
His father, Mr. Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, was an educator, a headmaster and a great teacher, whose commitment to education, training and development of children and youths in the community impacted a lot on the development and growth of the child.

This humble beginning helped define the greater part of Udom’s life as he weathered through the storms of life with ease.

Born in Awa Iman, a city in Onna local government of Akwa Ibom state in 1966, Udom had his primary education around the same community. On completion, he went to secondary commercial school, Okot Akpan Ishiet, in Onna local government area of the state.

He later attended the School of Arts and Science, Uyo, where he received his Advanced Certificate of Basic Studies (CBS) and a Higher School Certificate (HSC), transferred his education pursuit to the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1988.

Since his graduation from the university, Udum has been a hot demand. As a result of his vast experience in corporate governance, he was authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry-out financial services in the United Kingdom. At Zenith Bank, where he rose to become the executive director, he was always sent to develop new branches across the globe.

These outstanding credentials perhaps guided Governor Godswill Akpabio in appointing him as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), a position he held until he was tipped to succeed the governor.

Umahi: the son of a peasant farmer to preside over Ebonyi

Engineer David Nweze Umahi, the governor-elect of Ebonyi State, was born into the family of Elder Chief Joseph Umahi Nweze in January 1, 1964.
Elder Umahi, his father, who hails from Umunaga-Uburu autonomous community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was a peasant farmer.

Growing up in a humble background at the countryside, Engineer Dave, as he is popularly known, attended Umunaga Primary School, Uburu, from 1971 to 1977 and came out with distinction. He started secondary education at Ishiagu High School in 1978 but completed it at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, where he showcased his leadership qualities as library prefect. After secondary school, Umahi was admitted into the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. While at the university, he was elected into the student parliament as a senator representing the Faculty of Engineering.

Engr. Umahi did the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme between 1988 and 1989 at SAIPEM SPA in Benin City, capital of the present day Edo State. He was honoured with the NYSC state award for his outstanding performance.
After the NYSC programme, he worked in the SCC Nigeria Limited and rose through the ranks to the position of project engineer. As a manager, the now governor-elect supervised the Umuahia water project and the Ndiegoro Aba flood control site.
From 1990 to 1993, he became the general manager and shareholder in Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, which he co-founded with the then managing director of NAFCON, Port Harcourt, Dr. Ombo Isokarari. Umahi was also the chairman and chief executive officer of Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, Fucus Investment Nigeria Limited, Osborn La Palm Royal Resort Limited until he was elected into public office. He is also a fellow of some professional bodies, including the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Council of Registered Engineers (COREN) and Council of Technologists of Nigeria (FCORTN).

Engr. Umahi’s foray into politics started when he was first appointed as the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP from 2007 to 2009. He was subsequently elected the substantive state chairman of the PDP during the 2009 state congress of the party, a position he held till 2011. He was also appointed the chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
It was in 2011 that Engr. Dave Umahi became a running mate to the outgoing governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, during the gubernatorial election of that year. Subsequently, he was elected the deputy governor of Ebonyi State.

Professor Ayade: He dreamt of ruling Cross River when he was a teenager

The governor-elect in Cross River State, Professor Bennedict Ayade, recently said he started working toward his new office when he was 15 years old in 1984.

Ayade, a business mogul with interest in oil and gas, transportation and other investments in and outside the state, said he grew up from a state of abject poverty.

He said because of his background he thought deeply about how to change the society and alleviate poverty.

Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Ayade, who was born on March 2, 1969, said he struggled through three universities; University of Ibadan, Ambrose Alli University and Delta State University. He said he was involved in students’ unionism up to university senate.

The 46-year old governor-elect worked as lecturer and rose to become head of department.

Abubakar: Career civil servant becomes governor in Bauchi

The governor-elect in Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who was born 59 years ago, is a lawyer by profession, who has built a career in Jurisprudence. He holds a certificate in Law Drafting from the University of Washington, after his first degree and Master’s in law. He has held several positions in Bauchi State and at the level of federal government.

The governor-elect was a successful civil servant, who garnered vast experience in public and private service that spanned over 34 years.

Ugwuanyi: A man with milk of kindness to govern
Enugu

Born in 1954 in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi has a Bsc and MSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. He also has another MSc in Public Relations from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He has enrolled for a PhD programme.

Married to Monica from Abia State, Ugwuanyi , a member of the Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani-led Ebeano political camp, was elected into the House of Representatives on the plantform of the PDP, where he represented Igboeze South-Udenu Federal Constituency. He is spending his third tenure in the House.

In 2002, based on his charity works, he, alongside his wife, Monica, was given the chieftaincy title of Gburugburu by his community. He was the 15th president of Rotary Club, Emene, Enugu. It was his involvement in Rotary activities that spurred the philantrophic spirit in Ugwuanyi. It is said that Ugwuanyi hates seeing people suffering. Little wonder, he has some milk of kindness in him.
When he was chosen after a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP in Enugu State as the successor to Governor Sullivan Chime, almost the entire people of the state accepted him.

Since the creation of Enugu State, no person, chosen to succeed a sitting governor, has been widely accepted.

Bindo: Son of a billionaire to take charge in Adamawa

The Adamawa State governor-elect, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla Bindo, is the son of a billionaire business man. Sunday Trust gathered that he learnt the art of business from his father. After completing his secondary school education, he established a construction firm which later expanded to Lagos and Abuja, making him a successful businessman.
Bindow had been a business man before he was elected as a senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District in 2011. He is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence, a position he still occupies at present.

Bello: The son of a military governor will now lead Niger

The Niger State governor-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, popularly known as Abu-Lolo, is the son of a former military governor of the old Kano State and the former Aide De Camp (ADC) to the supreme commander (Nigeria’s first military head of state), Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. He was born with a silver spoon, as he attended Military School, Zaria and the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.
A friend of the governor-elect and a Polo player, Muhammad Ibrahim (Dangaye), said Abu-Lolo is a very friendly person. He said though “he does not play polo, he likes riding horse.” He was said to be enjoying being close to his stallion. He has extended the love of horse-riding to his children as they all ride horse, particularly, when they are in Kontagora.

Abubakar, who won the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seen by many as a serious-minded person who hardly smiles. Sunday Trust, however, gathered that the governor-elect is very humorous.
He did not inherit politics from his father but from his uncle, Engineer Musa Bello, who was a Minister of Commerce in the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a former executive secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), who contested for the office several times.

He is also known as a businessman, who likes to be behind the wheel often despite the number of drivers under his management. He is said to be driving around the town, particularly in the midst of friends and associates.
Abu-Lolo is married to the daughter of the former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The woman is a medical doctor, Amina Abubakar Abdussalmi. The governor-elect will be sworn in by the Chief Judge of Niger State and his mother in-law, Justice Fati Abubakar, on May 29.

omenka:
Well, someone once rose from a background of shoelessness to become the president of the most populous black nation in the world.

No surprises here.