In this post, platinumtimes.ng chronicles the biography, education, family, career, life story of Gov. Francis Nwifuru.
Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru is a Nigerian politician currently serving as Governor of Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
He is immediate past speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, an entrepreneur and legal expert.
Profile Summary
Name: Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru
Born: 25 February 1975
Place of birth: Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Education: Ebonyi State University
Religion: Christianity
Spouse: Uzoamaka Nwifuru
Career: Politician, Lawyer, Entrepreneur
Biography
Francis Nwifuru was born in Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State on February 25th, 1975.
In 1991, he started his elementary education at Oferekpe Agbaja Community Primary School.
He proceeded to Community Secondary School, Nwofe Agbaja in the year 1999.
After completion of his early education, he enrolled into Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, to study Building technology and Wood Work.
Nwifuru received a Masters Degree in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Salford University, Manchester, United Kingdom in June 2021.
Career
In 2007 he contested for the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, but was not victorious.
He was later appointed as an Ex-Officio State Executive Member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ebonyi State.
In March 2011, he contested again to represent Izzi West Constituency at Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
In that same tenure, he became the Deputy Chief Whip and chairman House Committee on Lands, Survey, Urban Development, and Environment.
He was re-elected in 2015 and 2019 as the 5th speaker of the Assembly hence becoming the only member to have returned as a two-time Speaker in the history of Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
In 2020, he switched to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and was elected as the National vice-chairman South East Conference of State Legislatures of Nigeria.
He was flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress during the 2023 Ebonyi gubernatorial election and had a total of 199,131 votes cast across the 13 local governments in the state to win the election.
He was subsequently sworn in as Governor of the State.
Personal life
Ogbonna Nwifuru was born into a Polygamous home and was christened ‘Francis’ after baptism as a Catholic.
His parents are Chief and Mrs Nwifuru Nwamkpu. He occasionally assisted in rearing his father’s animals during his formative years.
Hon. Nwifuru is married to Chief Uzoamaka Nwifuru and they both have children together.
Controversy
In March 2016, there were claims that Nwifuru was apprehended by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but he denied the allegation.
Nwifuru explained he only honoured an invitation from the EFCC at its South-East zonal office in Enugu.
Net Worth
Gov. Nwifuru’s net worth is currently unavailable.