Biography & Career Of Peter Obi

3 years ago

Biography & Career Of Peter Obi

Peter Gregory Obi is a Nigerian politician and businessman who was the vice presidential candidate in the 2019 Nigerian general election under the Peoples Democratic Party.

Peter Obi Background

Peter Obi is fondly called “OKWUTE” meaning “ROCK”. He was born on 19th July, 1967 at Onitsha. He had his secondary school education at Christ the King College, Onitsha. In 1980, Peter proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Philosophy in 1984.

Afterwards, his love for academic took him outside the shore of Nigeria to Ivy league and Oxbridge schools. He is an alumna of Harvard Business School, Boston, USA; London School of Economics where he studied Financial Management/Business Policy; Columbia Business School, New York, USA (Marketing Management); Institute for Management and Development, Switzerland; Kellogg Graduate School of Management, USA, Oxford University and Cambridge.

Obi tied the knot with Margaret Brownson Usen in 1992 and they are blessed with two children: Gabriella Nwamaka Frances Obi and Gregory Peter Oseloka Obi.

Peter Obi Political Career

In 2003, Peter contested for Anambra State governorship election under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). At the end of the election, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared his
opponent, Chris Ngige of People’s Democratic Party winner.

Peter Obi contested the result in court for almost three years. Eventually, Ngige’s victory was overturned by the court of appeal on 15 March, 2006. Obi then took over on 17 March, 2006. After seven months in office, the
state house of assembly impeached him, putting Virginia Etiaba, his deputy in his position. The event made Virginia Etiaba the first female governor in Nigeria’s history.

However, Peter Obi did not accept the status quo. He challenged his impeachment in the court of appeal and won. On 9 February 2007, he was re-instated as the Governor and Victoria Etiaba handed power back to him.

Other Business And Career Interests

Before his adventure into politics, Peter Obi was already a successful businessman. He held high profile positions in several establishments. Some of the companies he served include:

Next International Nigeria Ltd
Guardian Express Mortgage Bank Ltd
Guardian Express Bank Plc
Future View Securities Ltd
Paymaster Nigeria Ltd
Chams Nigeria Ltd
Corp Ltd and Card Centre Ltd

In addition to the afore mentioned, he was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as the Chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Peter Obi is also a member of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers, and British Institute of Directors (IOD).

Peter Obi Awards And Recognition

Man of the Year, Sun Newspaper, 2007
Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria, Thisday Newspaper, 2009
Nigeria’s Most Trustworthy Governor, Champion Newspaper, 2009
Governor of the Year, West Africa ICT Development Award, 2010
Zik Leadership Prize, 2011
Best Performing Governor on Immunization in South-East Nigeria, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2012
Leadership and Good Governance Award, Ezeife Leadership Foundation, 2012
Golden Award on Prudence, Methodist Church of Nigeria, 2012
Man of the Year, Business Hallmark Newspaper, 2012
Man of the Year, Silverbird, 2013
Award for Outstanding Example in Leadership and Governance, The Voice Newspaper, 2014
Most Outstanding Igbo Man of the Decade, Champion Newspaper, 2014
Golden Merit Award, Nigerian Library Association, 2014
Golden Jubilee Award, Catholic Diocese of Onitsha, 2015