- Chukwuemeka Chikelu
-
Chukwuemeka Chikelu Minister of Information and National Orientation In office
July 2003 – June 2005Succeeded by Frank Nweke Personal details Political party People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chukwuemeka Chikelu is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who was a National Representative from Anambra State (1999-2003), and then was Minister of Information and National Orientation during the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Background
Chikelu earned a B.Sc. in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri and an LLB from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom before being called to the Nigerian Bar. He founded the Matterson Group, a real estate development company, in 1996.[1] His father Chief Gilbert Chikelu, the Owelle Ichida, worked for Olusegun Obasanjo when he was military head of state.[2]
Political career
In 1999, Chikelu ran successfully on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform as a representative for the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia constituency of Anambra State, holding office until May 2003.[3]
Obasanjo selected Chikelu as Minister of Information at the start of his second term in 2003, a position in which he was expected to act as government spokesman.[2] In 2004, Chikelu announced an "image laundry" scheme to improve Nigeria's international image and make the country more attractive to foreign investors. The idea was greeted with some skepticism.[4] In May 2004, he directed all Federal Government media chief executives to give reduced charges for HIV/AIDS messages, and urged all other media executives to increase coverage and education on the epidemic.[5] He also challenged Nigerian journalists to sustain the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation , saying they "should make it a covenant to write at least a story on the evils of the practice."[6]
Obasanjo dropped him from his cabinet in a major cabinet reshuffle in June 2005, replacing him with Frank Nweke.[7]
In September 2008 he was named a member of the Anambra PDP Peace and Reconciliation Committee, aimed at resolving infighting between party factions in the state.[8] In 2009, he was being seen as a potential candidate for Governor of Anambra State in the elections due on 6 February 2010, although he had failed to express interest in running for the position.[9] Chikelu would be "clean" candidate, unblemished by the murky politics of Anambra State.[10]
References
- ^ "The Team: Chukwuemeka Chikelu - Chief Executive Officer". Matterson Properties Limited. http://www.mattersonproperties.com/theTeam.php. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ a b Maximus Uba (July 16, 2004). "Govt information management:How far can Chikelu go?". BNW News. http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2004/jul/16/198.html. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ "FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA LEGISLATIVE ELECTION OF 20 FEBRUARY AND 7 MARCH 1999". Psephos. http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/n/nigeria/nigerialeg1.txt. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ Wakil Oyeleru Oyedemi (August 12, 2004). "What can Soyinka do?". Daily Independent Online. http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2004/aug/13/203.html. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ Ikenna Emeka Okpani (4 May 2004). "Chikelu Orders Government Media to Dedicate Time to HIV/Aids". Daily Trust. http://allafrica.com/stories/200405040973.html. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ "Nigerian govt wants debate on female genital mutilation". Afrol News. 11 February 2004. http://www.afrol.com/articles/11369. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ Olujimi, Chikelu (July 14, 2005). "As Obasanjo Reshuffles Cabinet... Ministers Under Probe for Corruption". BNW News. http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/thisday/2005/07/14/as_obasanjo_reshuffles_cabinet_ministers_under_probe_for_corruption.php. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ Chuks Okocha (12 September 2008). "Jerry Gana Heads Anambra Reconciliation Committee". ThisDay. http://allafrica.com/stories/200809120629.html. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ Maximus Uba (09/21/09). "ANAMBRA 2010: WAITING FOR CHIKELU". http://www.pointblanknews.com/artopn1769.html. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
- ^ "Dark horse, Emeka Chikelu, to fly PDP flag in Anambra State?". zumarockreports. 10/06/2009. http://www.zumarockreports.com/node/96. Retrieved 2010-2-20.
Vice President Atiku Abubakar (May 2003–May 2007)Agriculture (and Water Resources from Jan 2007) Adamu Bello (July 2003–May 2007)Aviation Isa Yuguda (July 2003–July 2005) • Babalola Borishade (July 2005–Nov 2006) • Femi Fani-Kayode (November 2006–May 2007)Commerce and Industry (initially Commerce) Idris Waziri (July 2003–June 2006) • Aliyu Modibbo Umar (Commerce July 2006–January 2007, Commerce and Industry January 2007–May 2007)Communications (later and Information) Cornelius Adebayo (July 2003–Aug 2006) • Obafemi Anibaba (Aug 2006–Jan 2007) • Frank Nweke (Jan 2007–May 2007)Defence Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (July 2003–2006) • Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi (2006–May 2007)Education Fabian Osuji (July 2003–Mar 2005) • Chinwe Obaji (June 2005–June 2006) • Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2006–May 2007)Energy Edmund Daukoru (July 2003–May 2007)Environment (and Housing from Jan 2007) Bala Mande (–July 2005) • Iyorchia Ayu (June 2005–Dec 2005) • Helen Esuene (Jan 2006–May 2007)FCT Administration Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai (July 2003–May 2007)Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2003–July 2006) • Nnenadi Usman (July 2006–May 2007)Foreign Affairs Oluyemi Adeniji (July 2003–July 2006) • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (July 2006–August 2006) • Joy Ogwu (August 2006–May 2007)Health Eyitayo Lambo (July 2003–May 2007)Housing
(merged into Environment Jan 2007)Rahman Mimiko (June 2005–January 2007)Information and National Orientation Chukwuemeka Chikelu (July 2003–June 2005) • Frank Nweke (June 2005–May 2007)Industry
(merged to Commerce & Industry Jan 2007)Magaji Muhammed (–June 2005) • Fidelis Tapgun (June 2005–January 2007)Internal Affairs (Interior from January 2007) Iyorchia Ayu (–June 2005) • Magaji Muhammed (June 2005–June 2006) • Oluyemi Adeniji (June 2006–May 2007)Justice (Attorney General) Akin Olujimi (–June 2005) • Bayo Ojo (June 2005–May 2007)Labour Hassan Muhammed Lawal (July 2003–May 2007)National Planning Commission Abdallah Wali (Jan 2007–May 2007)Police Affairs
(merged into Interior in Jan 2007)Broderick Bozimo (July 2003–January 2007)Power and Steel Liyel Imoke (July 2003–January 2007)Science and Technology Isoun Turner (July 2003–May 2007)Solid Minerals
(later Mines & Steel)Odion Ugbesia (–June 2005) • Obiageli Ezekwesili (June 2005–) • Lesley Obiorah (Jan 2007–May 2007)Sports Musa Mohammed (July 2003–July 2005) • Saidu Samaila Sambala (July 2005–) • Bala Bawa Ka'oje (–May 2007)Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Femi Fani-Kayode (2006) • Babalola Borishade (2006–May 2007)Transport Precious Sekibo (July 2003–January 2007) • Cornelius Adebayo (Jan 2007–May 2007)Water Resources
(merged with Agriculture Jan 2007)Muktar Shagari (July 2003–January 2007)Women Affairs Rita Akpan (July 2003–June 2005) • Maryam Ciroma (June 2005–May 2007)Works and Housing Adeseye Ogunlewe (July 2003–March 2006) • Obafemi Anibaba (March 2006–Sep 2006) • Cornelius Adebayo (Sep 2006–Jan 2007)Youth Development Frank Nweke (April 2004–June 2005) • Musa Mohammed (July 2005–June 2006) • S. A. Jankanda (January 2007–May 2007)See also Cabinet of President Umaru Yar'Adua Categories:- Living people
- Federal ministers of Nigeria
- People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians
- Members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria
- Nigerian politician stubs
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