Nentawe Goshwe biography, career, family, education, achievements, awards, politics
In this post, platinumtimes.ng archives the biography, education, career, life story of Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
Dr. Nentawe Goshwe is an engineer and politician who has been chosen to serve as Governor of Plateau State following the dismissal of the incumbent Governor, Caleb Mutfwang by the Court of Appeal.
He is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Profile Summary
Name: Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
Born: 8th August, 1968
Place of birth: Plateau, Nigeria
Education: University of Nigeria
Religion: Christianity
Career: Politician, Engineer
Political party: All Progressives Congress ( APC)
Early life
Nentawe Goshwe was born on August 8, 1968 in Dungung Kanke LGA of Plateau State.
Education
He completed his early education at LGED Primary School, Dungung in 1981 and obtained his GCE (O/Level) in 1986 from the prestigious Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri.
He bagged a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 1992 from Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and a master’s degree in Engineering and PhD from ATBU Bauchi and University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively with specialty in Digital systems engineering.
He was also trained in Building Electronic Governance Structure by the United Nations University International Institute for Software Tech., Macau, China.
In addition, he received expert training from Association of African Universities (AAU) on Sustainable Development in Africa using Higher Education and was part of the implementation team.
He has received specialized training from AfriNIC, Mauritius and NetTel@Africa, Nairobi Kenya that helped in the early transition of Internet Protocol Address Users in Africa, and Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange in ICT Policy, Regulation and Application.
He was also trained by MacArthur Foundation USA, KFI International, National Universities Commission, Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Education Trust Fund, UNDP and the World Bank.
Career
Dr Yilwatda began his working career as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkinladi in 1995 after which he moved to Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi as a Graduate Assistant in 1996.
He has over 25 years of teaching, research and project implementation in software engineering and sustainable development.
He served as the pioneer Director of Information and Communication Technology, and member of the University Senate in addition to serving in many committees both in the University and at the national level.
He also worked with Tech-Ville USA to train 100 software and renewable energy engineers in Ondo state for international certifications and human capital export.
Politics
In 2017, he was appointed Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission and posted to Benue State as the Resident Electoral Commissioner.
As an INEC commissioner, he piloted the IDP voting rights and was a member of the committee that developed the operational framework and guidelines for IDP voting in Nigeria.
He spearheaded working with International Partners and civil society organizations to innovatively set up schools for IDP kids and empowered women with skills that grew into a cooperative to reduce poverty in the camps.
In 2023, he contested as Governor of Plateau State in the All Progressives Congress ( APC) platform and lost to his opponent from the People’s Democratic party (PDP).
However, in November 2023, the victory was overturned by the Appeal Court and Nentawe Goshwe was declared winner of the 2023 governorship elections of Plateau State.
Associations
Nentawe is a registered Engineer with Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Member, Nigeria Society of Engineers, member Solar Society of Nigeria.
Personal life
He is a devoted Christian and a member of COCIN church.
He is married to Dr. Mrs Martina Yilwatda and the marriage is blessed with a child.
He is an astute lover of academic development, offering financial assistance to less privileged children and sponsorship of young people in his community.
Nentawe has over the years received several service awards in recognition of his commitment and hardwork.