Ifeanyichukwu Arthur Okowa, born 8 July 1959, is a Nigerian doctor and politician who has been the governor of Delta State since May 2015 and is the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) vice presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election. Daily News24 brings you a biography of the politician.
Early life
Okowa was born in Owa-Alero, Delta State’s Ika North-East Local Government Area. He received his early education at the Iroro Primary School in Owa-Alero before attending the prestigious Edo College in Benin City between 1970 and 1976. In 1976, he received the second-best result in the Higher School Certificate Examination in the then-Bendel State.
Following that, he attended the University of Ibadan to study Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1981 with MBBS at the record age of 22. After completing the National Youth Service Corps in 1982.
He worked briefly as a Medical Officer for the now-defunct Bendel State Hospitals Management Board before entering private practice in 1986 as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke. He later opened another branch in Boji-Boji, Owa.
Political Career
Okowa first established himself in local politics before entering the state cabinet of Governor James Ibori in 1999. Served as Secretary to Ika Local Government Area. (1991). He has served in the following offices.
- Chairman Ika North East Local Government Council. (1993)
- Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. (1999 )
- Commissioner for Water Resources Development. (2001)
- Commissioner for Health. (2003)
- Secretary to Delta State Government. (2007)
- Served as a Senator from Delta South Senatorial district. (2011)
He has been the Executive Governor of Delta State since 2015, and he founded the University of Delta in his hometown of Agbor. In Delta State, he also established the University of Science and Technology in Ozoro and Dennis Osadebe University in Anwai.
Corruption allegations
According to an ICIR report, Okowa was accused of selling Delta Line, a wholly state-owned transport company, to Chidi Ajaere, the owner of God is Good Transport Development Company Limited (GTDC), despite a superior bid from the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
Networth
Ifeanyi Okowa has an estimated worth of $11 million.
Private Life
Ifeanyi Okowa has been married for 35 years to Mrs Edith Okowa and they have four children.
