Ken Nnamani

Ken Nnamani
National Senator for Enugu East
In office
May 2003 – May 2007
Preceded by Jim Nwobodo
Succeeded by Chimaroke Nnamani
President of the Nigerian Senate
In office
April 2005 – May 2007
Preceded by Adolphus Wabara
Succeeded by David Mark
Personal details
Born 2 November 1948 (1948-11-02) (age 63)
Enugu, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Political party People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Alma mater Ohio University (B.B.A./M.B.A.)
Occupation Businessman
Religion Christianity

Kenneth Ugwu Nnamani is a former Nigerian senator who represented the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. He became a senator in 2003, and was president of the Senate of Nigeria from 2005 to 2007.[1]

Contents

Background

Ken Nnamani was born on November 2, 1948 in Enugu.[2] He holds both BBA and MBA degrees from the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and has worked for Du Pont De Nemours International and Geneva and Nova Chemicals International as marketing executive and later as a consultant. He was the principal consultant, Maredec Limited.[1]

Senate career

Ken Nnamani was elected to the senate for Enugu East in 2003.[1] He was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Federal Character & Governmental Affairs and member of committees on Privatization, Federal Capital Territory and Appropriation & Finance.[3] He became president of the Senate of Nigeria from April 5, 2005 to 2007, taking this post after Adolphus Wabara resigned due to allegations of corruption.[4]

Speaking in August 2006, Nnamani said "In a multicultural and multi-religious country like Nigeria credible elections provide platforms for different constituents of the republic to continue to collaborate to promote the good of all. The 2007 election is arguably the most important election in Nigeria ... The 2007 elections in Nigeria hold the key to entrenching democracy in Nigeria."[5]

Later career

On 6 May 2008 the Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development was launched in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital city, with the goal of facilitating qualititative and transformative leadership and development in Africa.[6]

In a June 2009 interview, Ken Nnamani expressed concerns about progress towards full democracy in Nigeria. He said "History tells us that there has never been a consolidated democracy without a robust and large middle class. Nigeria does not have a middle class and it is therefore no surprise that our democracy is weak and reversible."[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Gbenga Oke (7 May 2008). "Ken Nnamani - Taking Good Governance and Development to Greater Height". Vanguard. http://allafrica.com/stories/200805070177.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  2. ^ "MAKING LAW FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: KEN NNAMANI SET TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE". NigeriaWorld. 2005-06-06. http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2005/jun/061.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  3. ^ "Ken Nnamani". AfDevInfo. http://www.afdevinfo.com/htmlreports/peo/peo_3789.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  4. ^ "WABARA, TOO LATE TO TALK NOW!". NigeriaWorld. June 14, 2007. http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2007/jun/142.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  5. ^ "The 2007 Elections and the Prospects of Democracy in Nigeria". Center for Strategic and International Studies. August 4, 2006. http://csis.org/files/media/csis/events/060804_nnamani.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  6. ^ Kabiru Mato (18 May 2008). "The Ken Nnamani Centre". Leadership (Abuja). http://allafrica.com/stories/200805191028.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
  7. ^ GBENGA OKE (June 14, 2009). "How politicians endanger democracy — Ken Nnamani". Vanguard. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/06/14/how-politicians-endanger-democracy-%E2%80%94ken-nnamani/. Retrieved 2009-10-06.