In this post, platinumtimes.ng chronicles the biography, education, career, family, life story of Gov. Godwin Obaseki.
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki is a Nigerian politician and businessman who is currently the Governor of Edo State.
He previously served as chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team inaugurated by former Governor Adams Oshiomole in March 2009.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria.
Profile Summary
Name: Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki
Born: 1st July, 1957
State of Origin: Edo State State, Nigeria
Education: University of Ibadan
Political party: People’s Democratic Party(PDP)
Spouse: Betsy Bene Obaseki
Religion: Christianity
Early life
Obaseki was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria on the 1st of July, 1957.
Education
He attended St. Matthew’s Primary School for his primary school education before proceeding to Eghosa Grammar School, in Benin City, for secondary education.
He was admitted to the University of Ibadan where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classics.
He then left the shores of Nigeria for the United States to attend Columbia University and Pace University in New York, where he obtained an MBA in Finance and International Business.
He holds post graduate degrees in both Finance and International Business and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria.
In 1992, Obaseki founded a US -based Africa Chamber of Commerce and served as the secretary.
He was also a Director of Junior Achievement of Nigeria, the local affiliate of international Non Profit Organisation (NGO).
Career
Obaseki has a successful career in the finance industry for several years. He worked as a stockbroker with Capital Trust Brokers Limited, Lagos in 1983.
He later transferred his services to the International Merchant Bank and then to AVC Funds Limited, Lagos, in 1988, where he served as a Project Manager.
He relocated to New York and worked as a Principal of Equatorial Finance Company, a Financial Advisory firm.
He focused on Africa and provided Structured Trade Finance for African-related transactions.
In 1995, Godwin Obaseki founded Afrinvest West Africa Limited (formerly Securities Transactions & Trust Company Limited (SecTrust), which has grown to become one of the most reputable investment banking and management firms in Nigeria.
Obaseki served as the Chairman of the Economic and Strategy Team (EST) where he pioneered a number of policy reforms that saw the state restructure its public finance, secure funding for infrastructure and improve the business environment to attract investment in power, agriculture and other critical sectors.
Obaseki was also instrumental in attracting the Edo-Azura power project, with support from World Bank to the state.
During the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, he served as voluntary Chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team as well as Chairman of Tax Assessment Review Committee for Edo State Internal Revenue Service (TARC) and the Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), respectively.
He was Secretary of the Committee on the Implementation of the Law, Establishing the present Edo University, Iyamho, and member of the Committee on Contributory Pension Scheme and Edo SEEFOR/DPO Steering Committee, respectively.
Before serving at the sub-national level, Obaseki served in the Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigerian Pension System, which facilitated the introduction of the contributory pension scheme and other novel pension reforms.
He also served in the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Committee on the Re-activation of the Nigerian Bond Market and the review of the Investment and Securities Act.
Between 2006 and 2009, he served as a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Council.
He is a Trustee of the Dr Jackson Owen Obaseki Foundation, a family-owned Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
Political history
Obaseki later stepped down from his position as chairman of the board of directors of Afrinvest in September 2016, to contest the gubernatorial election in Edo State on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
On 29 September 2016, Obaseki was elected as the Governor of Edo State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
In 2020, he defected to the people’s Democratic party (PDP) after being disqualified for a re-run in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested as Governor of the state for a second term in office.
He however emerged victorious and was subsequently sworn in as Governor of the state.
Family
He is the third child of Late Pa Roland Obaseki and Gbinigie of Owina Street, Ogbelaka Quarters, Benin City and an avid golfer.
Obaseki is married to Betsy Bene Obaseki, a financial expert and they both have children together.
Awards
Obaseki is a recipient of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) award for best performing Governor of the year in October 2019.