Jim Nwobodo

James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (born 9 May 1940) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was governor of Anambra State (1979–1983) during the Nigerian Second Republic[1] and was Senator for Enugu East Senatorial District in Enugu State (1999–2003). In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully in the Nigerian Presidential elections.[2]

Jim Nwobodo
Governor of Anambra State
In office
October 1979 – October 1983
Preceded byD.S. Abubakar
Succeeded byChristian Onoh
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Enugu East Senatorial District
In office
29 May 1999 – 29 May 2003
Succeeded byKen Nnamani
Personal details
Born (1940-05-09) 9 May 1940
Agyaragu, Lafia LGA, Nassarawa State, Nigeria

Background

Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was born on 9 May 1940 in Agyaragu, Lafia, Nassarawa State. He completed his secondary school education in 1956 at Government School, Awka in what is now Anambra State, then attended St. Peter's College, Zaria (1956–1959). He went on to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, first at Enugu and then at Ibadan, and then attended the University College Ibadan (1961–1964), earning a BA in English.[2]

After graduation, Jim Nwobodo was employed as a tutor in the King's College, Lagos (1964–1966). He then took a job in the Personnel department with the Shell Company of Nigeria (1966–1970). After the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970, he founded Link Group International, which grew to open branches in Lagos, Kano, Benin City, Aba, Calabar and Enugu. He is also Chairman of Jimson International Al Cargo Agencies, Satellite Press Limited, and other companies.[2]

Nwodobo was also chairman of Nigerian football club Enugu Rangers around the time of their period of success in the 1970s and early 1980s.[3]

Nwobodo is married to Patricia (Pat), and they have two high school aged kids, Jim and Pat Jr.

Governor of Anambra State

Jim Nwobodo joined the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP)[4] and in October 1978, was elected NPP chairman for the old Anambra State. He contested the 1979 elections and on 1 October 1979 was sworn into office as the first executive Governor of Anambra State.[2]

As governor, Nwobodo established the Nike Lake hotel, Anambra State television, Anambra State University of Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), the Ikenga Hotels, the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Eha Amufu College of Education, Nsugbe College of Education and the Nkalagu Cement industry among other projects.[5]

He ran for reelection in October 1983, but was defeated by Christian Onoh of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The election was marred by widespread intimidation, violence and vote-rigging.[6]

Period of military rule

After the Military under General Muhammadu Buhari took control in December 1983, he was imprisoned for a period. When Sani Abacha came into power he was appointed a member of the constitutional commission. In 1995, he was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports. As the country moved towards democracy, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and later the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). He was a founding member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[2]

The Nigeria national football team, known as the Super Eagles, won the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. The team members were each promised a 3-bedroom house as an award. On 27 December 1995, Jim Nwobodo wrote the team members that the Works & Housing Ministry had been directed to release the houses immediately. In July 2009, houses were made available in Lagos and Abuja.[7]

Senator

In April 1999, Jim Nwobodo was elected Senator for the Enugu East constituency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the PDP platform, taking office in May 1999. He was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs.[2]

In October 2002, there was a crisis when the Enugu State House of Assembly split into two factions, one of which wanted to impeach Abel Chukwu, the original speaker of the House, who was believed to be a loyalist of Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. Nwobodo moved the motion that the Federal House of Representatives should take over the affairs of the House.[8] During the 1998/1999 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State, Nwobodo had supported Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who was elected.[9] However, the two men fell out later.[10] Nwobodo played a leading role in the unsuccessful effort to stop the 2003 re-election of Nnamani.[11]

Towards the end of his Senate term, he temporarily transferred to the United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP), running as a Presidential Candidate in the 2003 General elections.[2] His partner as vice-presidential candidate was Mohammed Goni, former governor of Borno State.[12]

Later career

In 2008, Nwobodo headed an Action Committee on the South East to resolve factional struggles in the PDP in that area.[13]

In June 2009, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restored the license of the Savannah Bank, in which Jim Nwobodo holds a major stake, in compliance with a February 2009 Appeal Court ruling in Abuja.[14]

References
  1. "Jim Nwobodo: Biography". Jim Nwobodo.. Rebuilding Nigeria. 9 May 1940. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. "Biography of Jim Nwobodo". Jim Nwobodo. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  3. Obalola, Nurudeen (27 September 2016). "Chukwu: Rangers Have Brought Glory To Entire South Eastern Nigeria". Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  4. "Jim Nwobodo opens up: Why I contested presidency against Ekwueme". The Sun Nigeria. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  5. Willy Eya (13 December 2009). "Nigeria may break up if... –Dubem Onyia". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  6. Eziuche Ubani (25 February 2001). "Why the Past Does Not Count". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 15 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  7. FEMI ADEOTI (23 July 2009). "Come for your houses • FHA tells Super Eagles team who won 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  8. JANE INYANG DISI (15 October 2002). "Enugu House of Horror". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 23 April 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  9. Chukwudi Nwabuko and Ahamefula Ogbu (18 February 2003). "ANPP: Intrigues Over Guber Candidates". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  10. "Battle for PDP Tickets". ThisDay. 22 December 2002. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  11. "Nigeria dares Cameroun, holds council polls in disputed areas". Daily Sun. 21 March 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  12. Jide Babalola (11 October 2009). "Only two-party system can save Nigeria, Goni". The Nation. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  13. IKENNA EMEWU (21 June 2008). "'Nobody can kill Jim Nwobodo Committee report'". Daily Sun. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  14. AMECHI OGBONNA (10 June 2009). "NDIC, CBN reopen Savannah Bank". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
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