Audu Ogbeh

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Audu Ogbeh
Taken in 2016
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
In office
11 November 2015 – 28 May 2019
PresidentMuhammadu Buhari
Minister of StateHeineken Lokpobiri
Preceded byAkinwumi Adesina
Succeeded bySabo Nanono
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party
In office
2001–2005
Preceded byBarnabas Gemade
Succeeded byAhmadu Ali
Federal Minister of Communications
In office
1982–1983
PresidentShehu Shagari
Personal details
Born
Audu Innocent Ogbeh

(1947-07-28) 28 July 1947 (age 76)
Otukpo, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Benue State, Nigeria)
Political partyAll Progressives Congress (2015–present)
Other political
affiliations
Spousemarried 1975
Children5, including Ogwa Iweze
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Politician
  • farmer
  • playwright

Audu Innocent Ogbeh ((listenⓘ); born 28 July 1947) is a Nigerian farmer, playwright and politician who served as the minister of agriculture and rural development from 2015 to 2019.[1][2] He was chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2001 until January 2005. He served as the minister of communications in the Nigerian Second Republic from 1982 to 1983. He is known for his literary works, and has written five plays which include three published works. One of his plays, the Epitaph of Simon Kisulu was staged at Muson Center in 2002.[3]

Background[edit]

Ogbeh was born on 28 July 1947, in present day Benue State. He is of Idoma background. He attended King's College, Lagos from 1967 to 1969, then studied at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1969 to 1972 and the University of Toulouse, France from 1973 to 1974. He lectured at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1972 to 1976, and headed the department of humanities, Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology from 1977 to 1979.[1]

Political career[edit]

In 1979, he ran for office in the Benue State House of Assembly on the Platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), becoming deputy speaker of the house. In 1982, he was appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development. His term of office ended in December 1983, when a military coup brought Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.[1]

In 2001, he was appointed National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), replacing Chief Barnabas Gemade. He held this position until January 2005, when he was forced to resign due to his criticism of President Olusegun Obasanjo's handling of a crisis in Anambra State.[1] Talking to reporters, however, Ogbeh claimed that he resigned only to avoid conflict within the party, and due to a desire to return to farming.[4]

Later career[edit]

In December 2005, Ogbeh formally resigned from the PDP.[5] As of 2009, he was chairman and managing director, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, and a member of Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships Incorporated, based in Philadelphia, United States of America.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Tokunbo Adedoja (11 January 2005). "The Man Ogbeh". OnlineNigeria. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  2. ^ "18 former ministers who didn't make Buhari's new list". Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  3. ^ Fuidelis Njoku. "Reliving Apartheid On Stage." P.M. News (Lagos) 17 Apr. 2002
  4. ^ Jide Ajani; Sufuyan Ojeifo; Bolade Omonijo; Paul Odili (11 January 2005). "Why I resigned, by Audu Ogbeh". Vanguard. Retrieved 21 March 2010.[dead link]
  5. ^ CHRISTIAN ITA (18 December 2005). "Ogbeh, Rimi, Na'Abba others resign from PDP at last". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  6. ^ Kazeem Akintunde & Belinda Mbonu (19 July 2009). "In The News: Audu Innocent Ogbeh". Newswatch. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
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