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Rotimi Amaechi is a top Nigerian political figure. He was the former governor of Rivers State and is currently the Federal Minister of Transportation in Nigeria.
Before his defection to the All Progressives Congress on 27 November 2013, Amaechi was an active member of the People’s Democratic Party.
Biography
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was born on May 27, 1965, to the prominent Elder Fidelis and Mary Amaechi family. He is a native of Ubima, Ikwere Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Educational Background
Rotimi Attended St Theresa’s Primary School (1970–1976). For his Secondary education, he attended Government Secondary School Okolobiri.
He moved on to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, from where he later transferred to obtain a degree in Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987. While in school, his political traits were conspicuous. He was the President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS). In 1988, he completed his National Youth Service.
Amaechi’s Political Career
After his political stint in school, Rotimi started off politics on a more serious note, serving as the Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention in Ikwere Local Government.
After his NYSC, he worked for a while with the Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited owned by the deputy governor of Rivers State, until 1992.
From there, he became a Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili. In no time, Peter Odili became his mentor. He worked side by side with him; as he also became a member of the Board of West Africa Glass industry and Risonpalm Nigeria Limited.
In 1996, Rotimi was Rivers State’s Secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) caretaker committee under General Sani Abacha’s administration.
With the help of his political Godfather Odili, Rotimi became a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly by 1999. He also became the speaker of the house and served 2 tenures in that capacity (1999-2007).
His relationship with Peter Odili went sour as he tirelessly fought and succeeded in replacing him on October 26, 2007, as governor. He contested and won under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was re-elected in 2011 for a second tenure under the same party.
Rotimi’s administration had its perks. It foresaw the rise in infrastructural developments; particularly on road construction, urban renewal and modernized transportation, in Rivers State.
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After the 2015 elections, Rotimi contested the results and requested a re-run. Following the re-run, he lost the gubernatorial seat to the current governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
The political titan who has always been under the PDP umbrella defected to the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection earned him an appointment as the opposition party’s Director-General of the Presidential campaign. It also secured him his recent position as the Minister of Transport.
Achievements
Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is one of Nigeria’s prominent political personalities. As such, he has made notable achievements in politics. Rotimi Amaechi holds one of the highest national titles in Nigeria. He has been conferred the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
He became a chieftain in 2000, with the conferment of the Ochi Alirii of Ikwerreland. That same year, the minister who has an oil refinery in Ghana, also won the international award for political leadership.
Rotimi won a couple of awards in 1999 for his brilliant service in parliament as the Speaker.
Within a few years as governor, he enriched Rivers State with social amenities, renovated and constructed schools – from Primary to the University; and awarded scholarships to students with sponsorships to study abroad.
He renovated and constructed roads and initiated the construction of the overhead railway in River and so far, is rated the best governor the state has ever had.
Family, Children
Rotimi Amaechi got married to Judith Amaechi in 1993 and together, they have 3 children, Obinna Amaechi, Chimkamkpa Amaechi, Lemchi Amaechi.
The former governor of Rivers State also has a younger brother, Chidi Amaechi.
Private Jet
The former governor of Rivers state purchased the Brazilian-made Embraer Legacy which he said was for the state government. Whether it belongs to the state or not, Amaechi has been rated among Nigerian men who owe private jet.
Quick Facts about Rotimi Amaechi
Amaechi was born in Ubima in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He is a graduate of English Studies and Literature from the Univerity of Port Harcourt.
He was Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and has also served as the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007.
He became the fifth governor of Rivers State in 2007 and served till 2015.
During his ministerial screening with the Senate, he said he has never taken a bribe in his life.
He defected from PDP to join the ruling APC in 2013.