All Is Now Set For The Battle Of'' WHO WILL OCCUPY GOVERNMENT HOUSE MAKURDI 'Come April 26 2011.

 

  Rt. Hon. Gabriel Torwua, Lawyer, Politician and Administrator, the fourth elected governor of Benue State was born on 15^th November, 1964 in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. Between 1971 and 1977, he enrolled at NKST primary School, Zaki Biam, Benue State and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.

By 1977, young Gabriel Suswam who had a brief stint at the St. Andrew’s Secondary School, Adikpo, was admitted into Government College, Makurdi where he completed his secondary education in 1982. Hon. Suswam transited through the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi between 1982 and 1984 as he prepared himself for an engaging university education. In 1986, Hon. Suswam was admitted into the Law Faculty of the University of Lagos. Between 1986 and 1989 he read and obtained the LL.B (Hons) degree, and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos where he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990 on successful completion of the programme.  After his call to bar, Suswam participated in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Trendex Finance Firm in Lagos, from 1990 to 1991.

Rt. Hon Suswam’s thirst for knowledge and more knowledge has motivated him in pursuing a number of academic and professional programmes since him acquiring his first Degree. He holds the Master Laws from the University of Jos and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Abuja. In preparation for public service, he took a certificate in management from the University of Lagos. He holds another certificate in Public Finance from the Duke University in America and is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard University, in America where he participated in the Executive Course on Infrastructure in a   Market Economy of the Kennedy School of Government, 2008. 

Between 1991 and 1994, Hon. Suswam cut his legal teeth at Tokode & Company, a corporate legal firm in Lagos. In 1994, he formed the Tingir & Associates Law Firm, based in Lagos.  Between 1994 and 1997, Tingir & Associates metamorphosed into a fledging law firm engaged in legal practice and consultancy in Lagos.  Subsequently, he relocated to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory where he partnered with a colleague to float Suswam Ogbole & Co in continuation of his career in legal practice.   It was while practicing law in Abuja that he succumbed to mounting pressures from his community to contest the House of Representatives seat to represent K/Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, which seat he won in 1999 under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While in the House of Representatives, Hon. Suswam was appointed Chairman, House Services Committee from 1999- 2001 and between 2001 and 2003, he served as Chairman, House Committee on FCT.

In 2003, he was re-elected into the House of Representatives to represent the same constituency on the PDP ticket.  Hon. Suswam was also appointed Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on members’ welfare.  In July 2003, he was appointed Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations.  Two years later, he was appointed Chairman, House Committee on Power; the Committee also exercised oversight on rural electrification in Nigeria.

The burning desire to offer further and better service to the people of Benue State compelled Suswam to join the crowded gubernatorial race in Benue State. Although he was the youngest of the 23 aspirants that sought the ticket of the PDP to contest the governorship primaries, Rt. Hon Suswam emerged the flag bearer of the PDP in obvious recognition of track record of service, integrity and commitment to the development of the State.  As candidate of the PDP, he was elected Governor of Benue State on April 14, 2007, and sworn in on May 29^th 2007.

 

Born on 11 th April, 1955 at Mkar, Gboko to the family of Late Moses Ityonongo Ugba Gwar of Ugondo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and Late Mrs. Cecilia Kwagbemba Ugba (Nee Unongo Kwaghngise of Turan Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State).

My grandfather Tor Ugba Gwar after whom the headquarters of Logo Local Government is named was the Chief overseeing both Ugondo and Shitile clans of present Logo LGA, during the colonial era.

FAMILY/RELIGIOUS LIFE:
Married to beautiful Dr. Stevina Torkwase Ugbah, Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, California USA. The marriage which was contracted in 1989 is blessed with five lovely children.

My family is a devout Christian family of Catholic denomination. My wife and I are Third degree Knights of Columbus (Dublin, CA), while our children are all baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholics.

EDUCATION:
Primary Education 1961 – 1967
•  St. Augustine's Catholic School, Otukpo
•  St. John Catholic School, Gboko
•  St. Mary's Catholic School, Otukpo

Secondary Education 1968 – 1972
•  Mt. St. Michael's Secondary School, Aliade.

University Education 1974 – 1986
•  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio USA 1974 – 1978
•  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio USA 1981 – 1982
•  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio USA 1983 - 1986

QUALIFICATION OBTAINED
•  First School Leaving Certificate, 1967
•  West African School Certificate, 1972
•  B.Sc. Microbiology, 1978
•  M.A. International Affairs (specializing in Development Studies &   Quantitative Research Methods), 1982.
•  Master of Public Administration, 1982
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Communication (Specializing in     Organizational Communication & Quantitative Research Methods)     1986.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
•  As board member Juladaco Group of Companies; managed several     businesses including:

•  The construction and management of Juladaco High School Kassa, to     make high quality secondary education available to the down trodden.

•  Constructed and managed the 1000 bed Rev. Fr. Holland Memorial     Specialist Hospital in Katsina-Ala to bring quality Health care to the     People.

•  Constructed and managed a chain of Motels in Jos, Katsina-Ala Gboko     and Jato-Aka.

•  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 1979/1980

•  Constructed Housing estates to ease accommodation problems for     the people.

•  Operated Juladaco Express, the first Northern based private Mass-Transit company with a fleet of luxurious buses to ease transportation.

•  Has varied experience in Research, Consultancy and teaching spanning about 30 years in various Universities and institution in the United State and Europe.

•  An experienced University Don with experience spanning administration, teaching, management, consultancy, curriculum development, student mentoring, computer and Telecommunications, Academic Planning, Budgeting, Media Resources, Liaison, and Community Relations.

•  2006 To Date President, California Forum (CNF), San Rafael, California USA.

Managed the overall operations of this public policy organization. The California Nigeria Forum (CNF) is an independent International Organization Committed to improving the state of the relationship between the United States and Nigeria in general, and California and Nigeria in Particular, by engaging leaders in Partnerships to shape mutual development agendas.He is running on the platform of ACN.