Rt. Hon. Gabriel Torwua, Lawyer, Politician and Administrator, the fourth elected governor of Benue State was born on 15th
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 29th 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.
