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{{Short description|Nigerian businessman and politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox Governor
{{EngvarB|date=September 2024}}
| name = Jim Nwobodo
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =
| width = 150px
|image =
|caption =
| office1 = Governor of Anambra State
|office1 = [[List of governors of Anambra State|Governor of Anambra State]]
| term_start1 = October 1979
| term_end1 = October 1983
|term_start1 = October 1979
|term_end1 = October 1983
| predecessor1 = [[D.S. Abubakar]]
|predecessor1 = [[Datti Abubakar|D.S. Abubakar]]
| successor1 = [[Christian Onoh]]
|successor1 = [[Christian Onoh]]
| office2 = Senator for Enugu East
|office2 = Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from [[Enugu East senatorial district|Enugu East Senatorial District]]
| term_start2 = 29 May 1999
| term_end2 = 29 May 2003
|term_start2 = 29 May 1999
| predecessor2 =
|term_end2 = 29 May 2003
|predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
|successor2 = [[Ken Nnamani]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1940|5|9|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1940|5|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = Agyaragu, [[Lafia]] LGA, [[Nassarawa State]], Nigeria
|birth_place = Agyaragu, [[Lafia]] LGA, [[Nassarawa State]], Nigeria
| death_date =
| party =
|death_date =
|death_place =
| Educational background =
| nationality = [[Nigerian]]
|party =
|nationality = Nigerian
}}
}}


'''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]] and was Senator for Enugu East in [[Enugu State]] (1999–2003). In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully in the Nigerian Presidential elections.<ref name=self>{{cite web
'''James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo''' (born 9 May 1940) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was [[List of governors of Anambra State|governor of Anambra State]] (1979–1983) during the [[Second Nigerian Republic]]<ref name="Jim Nwobodo.. Rebuilding Nigeria 1940">{{cite web|title=Jim Nwobodo: Biography|date=9 May 1940|url=http://www.jimnwobodo.com/bio.htm|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref> and was Senator for [[Enugu East senatorial district|Enugu East Senatorial District]] in [[Enugu State]] (1999–2003). In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully in the Nigerian Presidential elections.<ref name=self>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimnwobodo.com/bio.htm|title=Biography of Jim Nwobodo|publisher=Jim Nwobodo|access-date=14 December 2009}}</ref>
|url=http://www.jimnwobodo.com/bio.htm
|title=Biography of Jim Nwobodo
|publisher=Jim Nwobodo
|accessdate=14 December 2009}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was born on 9 May 1940 in Agyaragu, [[Lafia]], [[Nassarawa State]].


James 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 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.<ref name=self/>
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.<ref name=self/>


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, Abia|Aba]], [[Calabar]] and [[Enugu]]. He is also Chairman of Jimson International Al Cargo Agencies, Satellite Press Limited, and other companies.<ref name=self/>
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 (city)|Kano]], [[Benin City]], [[Aba, Abia|Aba]], [[Calabar]] and [[Enugu]]. He is also Chairman of Jimson International Al Cargo Agencies, Satellite Press Limited, and other companies.<ref name=self/>


Nwodobo was also chairman of Nigerian football club [[Enugu Rangers]] around the time of their period of success in the 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/51628-2/</ref>
Nwodobo was also chairman of Nigerian football club [[Enugu Rangers]] around the time of their period of success in the 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.completesports.com/51628-2/|title=Chukwu: Rangers Have Brought Glory To Entire South Eastern Nigeria|last=Obalola|first=Nurudeen|date=28 September 2016|access-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411072522/https://www.completesports.com/51628-2/|archive-date=11 April 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>


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


==Governor of Anambra State==
==Governor of Anambra State==
Jim Nwobodo joined the [[Nigerian Peoples Party]] (NPP)<ref>{{cite news|date=6 September 2020|title=Jim Nwobodo opens up: Why I contested presidency against Ekwueme|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/jim-nwobodo-opens-up-why-i-contested-presidency-against-ekwueme/|access-date=4 March 2022|work=[[The Sun (Nigeria)|The Sun]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304110357/https://www.sunnewsonline.com/jim-nwobodo-opens-up-why-i-contested-presidency-against-ekwueme/|archive-date=4 March 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name=self/>


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|Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium]], Eha Amufu College of Education, Nsugbe College of Education and the Nkalagu Cement industry among other projects.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2009/dec/13/powergame-13-12-2009-003.htm|title=Nigeria may break up if... –Dubem Onyia|last=Eya|first=Willy|date=13 December 2009|work=Daily Sun|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128133619/http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2009/dec/13/powergame-13-12-2009-003.htm|archive-date=28 November 2010}}</ref>
Jim Nwobodo joined the [[Nigerian Peoples Party]] (NPP) 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.<ref name=self/>


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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/02/25/20010225bac01.html|title=Why the Past Does Not Count|last=Ubani|first=Eziuche|date=25 February 2001|work=This Day|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115154314/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/02/25/20010225bac01.html|archive-date=15 January 2005}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2009/dec/13/powergame-13-12-2009-003.htm
|title=Nigeria may break up if... –Dubem Onyia
|author=Willy Eya
|date=13 December 2009
|work=Daily Sun
|accessdate=14 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128133619/http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2009/dec/13/powergame-13-12-2009-003.htm
|archivedate=28 November 2010 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/02/25/20010225bac01.html
|title = Why the Past Does Not Count
|author = Eziuche Ubani
|date = 25 February 2001
|publisher = ThisDay
|accessdate = 14 December 2009
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050115154314/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/02/25/20010225bac01.html
|archivedate = 15 January 2005
}}</ref>


==Period of military rule==
==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 (Nigeria)|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP), the [[United Nigeria Congress Party]] (UNCP) and later the [[Grassroots Democratic Movement]] (GDM). He was a founding member of the [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref name=self/>


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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2009/july/23/sportsbreak-23-07-2009-001.htm|title=Come for your houses • FHA tells Super Eagles team who won 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia|last=Adeoti|first=Femi|date=23 July 2009|work=Daily Sun|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726104354/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2009/july/23/sportsbreak-23-07-2009-001.htm|archive-date=26 July 2009}}</ref>
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 (Nigeria)|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 (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref name=self/>

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 for to release the houses immediately. In July 2009 houses were made available in Lagos and Abuja.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2009/july/23/sportsbreak-23-07-2009-001.htm
|title=Come for your houses • FHA tells Super Eagles team who won 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia
|author=FEMI ADEOTI
|date=23 July 2009
|work=Daily Sun
|accessdate=14 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726104354/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2009/july/23/sportsbreak-23-07-2009-001.htm
|archivedate=26 July 2009 }}</ref>


==Senator==
==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.<ref name=self/>
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.<ref name=self/>


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 to Governor [[Chimaroke Nnamani]]. Senator Jim Nwobodo moved the motion that the Federal House of Representatives should take over the affairs of the House.<ref>{{cite web
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/10/15/20021015law07.html|title=Enugu House of Horror|author=Jane Inyang Disi|date=15 October 2002|work=This Day|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050423235108/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/10/15/20021015law07.html|archive-date=23 April 2005}}</ref>

|url = http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/10/15/20021015law07.html
During the 1998/1999 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State, Nwobodo had supported Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who was elected.<ref>{{cite news|work=This Day|date=18 February 2003|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/02/18/20030218pol05.html|last1=Nwabuko|first1=Chukwudi|last2=Ogbu|first2=Ahamefula|title=ANPP: Intrigues Over Guber Candidates|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112073439/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/02/18/20030218pol05.html|archive-date=12 January 2005}}</ref>
|title = Enugu House of Horror

|author = JANE INYANG DISI
However, the two men fell out later.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/12/22/20021222cov01.html|title=Battle for PDP Tickets|date=22 December 2002|work=This Day|access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825232337/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/12/22/20021222cov01.html|archive-date=25 August 2006}}</ref>
|date = 15 October 2002
Nwobodo played a leading role in the unsuccessful effort to stop the 2003 re-election of Nnamani.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nigeria dares Cameroun, holds council polls in disputed areas|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2004/mar/21/national-mar21news02.htm|date=21 March 2004|work=Daily Sun|access-date=14 December 2009}}{{Dead link|date=April 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
|publisher = ThisDay
|accessdate = 14 December 2009
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20050423235108/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/10/15/20021015law07.html
|archivedate = 23 April 2005
}}</ref>
During the 1998/1999 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State, Nwobodo had supported Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who was elected.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/02/18/20030218pol05.html
|title=ANPP: Intrigues Over Guber Candidates
|author=Chukwudi Nwabuko and Ahamefula Ogbu
|publisher=ThisDay
|date=18 February 2003
|accessdate=14 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112073439/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2003/02/18/20030218pol05.html
|archivedate=12 January 2005
}}</ref>
However, the two men fell out later.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/12/22/20021222cov01.html
|title=Battle for PDP Tickets
|date=22 December 2002
|publisher=ThisDay
|accessdate=14 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825232337/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/12/22/20021222cov01.html
|archivedate=25 August 2006
}}</ref>
Jim Nwobodo played a leading role in the unsuccessful effort to stop the 2003 re-election of Nnamani.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2004/mar/21/national-mar21news02.htm
|title=Nigeria dares Cameroun, holds council polls in disputed areas
|date=21 March 2004
|work=Daily Sun
|accessdate=14 December 2009
}}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


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.<ref name=self/>
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.<ref name=self/>
His partner as vice-presidential candidate was [[Mohammed Goni]], former governor of [[Borno State]].<ref name=nat498>{{cite web
|url = http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/21498/1/Only-two-party-system-can-save-Nigeria-Goni/Page1.html
|title = Only two-party system can save Nigeria, Goni
|author = Jide Babalola
|date = 11 October 2009
|publisher = The Nation
|accessdate = 14 December 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726120632/http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/21498/1/Only-two-party-system-can-save-Nigeria-Goni/Page1.html#
|archive-date = 26 July 2011
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>


His partner as vice-presidential candidate was [[Mohammed Goni]], former governor of [[Borno State]].<ref name=nat498>{{cite news|work=[[The Nation (Nigeria)|The Nation]]|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/21498/1/Only-two-party-system-can-save-Nigeria-Goni/Page1.html|title=Only two-party system can save Nigeria, Goni|last=Babalola|first=Jide|date=11 October 2009|access-date=14 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726120632/http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/21498/1/Only-two-party-system-can-save-Nigeria-Goni/Page1.html|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Later career==


==Later career==
In 2008, Jim Nwobodo headed an Action Committee on the South East to resolve factional struggles in the PDP in that area.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/politics/2008/jun/21/politics-21-06-2008-002.htm
In 2008, Nwobodo headed an Action Committee on the South East to resolve factional struggles in the PDP in that area.<ref>{{cite news|title='Nobody can kill Jim Nwobodo Committee report'|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/politics/2008/jun/21/politics-21-06-2008-002.htm|last=Emewu|first=Ikenna|work=Daily Sun|access-date=14 December 2009|date=21 June 2008}}{{Dead link|date=April 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
|title='Nobody can kill Jim Nwobodo Committee report'
|author=IKENNA EMEWU
|date=21 June 2008
|work=Daily Sun
|accessdate=14 December 2009
}}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


In June 2009 the [[Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation]] (NDIC) and the [[Central Bank of Nigeria]] (CBN) restored the licence of the [[Savannah Bank]], in which Jim Nwobodo holds a major stake, in compliance with a February 2009 Appeal Court ruling in [[Abuja]].<ref>{{cite web
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]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ogbonna|first=Amechi|title=NDIC, CBN reopen Savannah Bank|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/businessnews/2009/june/10/bussines-10-06-2009-001.htm|date=10 June 2009|work=Daily Sun|access-date=14 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621082549/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/businessnews/2009/june/10/bussines-10-06-2009-001.htm|archive-date=21 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|url = http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/businessnews/2009/june/10/bussines-10-06-2009-001.htm
|title = NDIC, CBN reopen Savannah Bank
|author = AMECHI OGBONNA
|date = 10 June 2009
|publisher = Daily Sun
|accessdate = 14 December 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090621082549/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/businessnews/2009/june/10/bussines-10-06-2009-001.htm#
|archive-date = 21 June 2009
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{AnambraStateGovernors}}
{{AnambraStateGovernors}}
{{State governors in the Nigerian Second Republic}}
{{State governors in the Nigerian Second Republic}}
Line 170: Line 78:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nwobodo, Jim}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nwobodo, Jim}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Igbo people]]
[[Category:Igbo politicians]]
[[Category:Nigerian Anglicans]]
[[Category:Governors of Anambra State]]
[[Category:Governors of Anambra State]]
[[Category:Members of the Senate (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Nigerian People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:Nigerian People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians]]
[[Category:Social Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians]]
[[Category:United Nigeria Congress Party politicians]]
[[Category:United Nigeria Congress Party politicians]]
[[Category:Grassroots Democratic Movement politicians]]
[[Category:Grassroots Democratic Movement politicians]]
[[Category:People's Democratic Party members of the Senate (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party members of the Senate (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Senators of the 4th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:United Nigeria People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:United Nigeria People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:University of Ibadan alumni]]
[[Category:University of Ibadan alumni]]
[[Category:People from Nasarawa State]]
[[Category:People from Nasarawa State]]
[[Category:Candidates in the Nigerian general election, 2003]]
[[Category:Candidates in the Nigerian general election, 2003]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian politicians]]

Latest revision as of 05:47, 27 November 2024

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 (age 84)
Agyaragu, Lafia LGA, Nassarawa State, Nigeria

James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (born 9 May 1940) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was governor of Anambra State (1979–1983) during the Second Nigerian 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]

Background

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 Peoples 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Jim Nwobodo: Biography". 9 May 1940. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Biography of Jim Nwobodo". Jim Nwobodo. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  3. ^ Obalola, Nurudeen (28 September 2016). "Chukwu: Rangers Have Brought Glory To Entire South Eastern Nigeria". Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Jim Nwobodo opens up: Why I contested presidency against Ekwueme". The Sun. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  5. ^ Eya, Willy (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. ^ Ubani, Eziuche (25 February 2001). "Why the Past Does Not Count". This Day. Archived from the original on 15 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  7. ^ Adeoti, Femi (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". This Day. Archived from the original on 23 April 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  9. ^ Nwabuko, Chukwudi; Ogbu, Ahamefula (18 February 2003). "ANPP: Intrigues Over Guber Candidates". This Day. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Battle for PDP Tickets". This Day. 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.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ Babalola, Jide (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. ^ Emewu, Ikenna (21 June 2008). "'Nobody can kill Jim Nwobodo Committee report'". Daily Sun. Retrieved 14 December 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ Ogbonna, Amechi (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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