David Mark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the American diplomat, see David E. Mark.

For more info about Nigeria Politics, visit http://www.placng.org

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark
Governor of Niger State
In office
January 1984 – 1986
Preceded by Awwal Ibrahim
Succeeded by Garba Ali Mohammed
Senator for Benue South
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 1999
President of the Senate of Nigeria
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 6, 2007
Deputy Ike Ekweremadu
Preceded by Ken Nnamani
Personal details
Born (1948-04-18) April 18, 1948
Zungeru, Niger State[1]
Nationality Nigerian
Political party PDP
Religion Christianity[2]

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark (born April 18, 1948) is the President of the Senate of Nigeria[2] and Senator for the Benue State constituency.[3] He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[4] Prior to his senatorial career, Mark was a military governor of Niger State.[3]

Early life and education

Mark was born in Otukpo on April 18, 1948. He attended St. Francis Catholic Practicing School before attending the Nigerian Military School.[5]

Senate of Nigeria

Mark was elected to his position as President of the Senate of Nigeria on June 6, 2007.[6] In April 2012, Mark expressed concern for the new wave of terrorism from an Islamic sect that was taking hold on Nigeria; he said that it was turning Nigeria into a laughing stock and that the actions are "inhuman and [do] not enjoy the support of any right-thinking member of the society."[7] Mark has been actively pleading with Boko Haram, hoping that they will open up a dialogue with the government in the interest of peace.[8] Mark was criticized for claiming that telephone was not meant for ordinary people while he was Minister of Communication.[9]

David Mark ran for re-election to the Senate for Benue South in April 2011 and was elected for a fourth term.[10] Some exit polls suggested that Mark would not win, making his victory the subject of some scrutiny. Mark noted that the INEC polls pointed to a decisive victory, and called for his opponents to work together to improve Nigeria.[11]

When leading the review of the Constitution, Mark reportedly urged his colleagues to set their personal interests and focus on the interests of the Nigerian people.[12] After the UK criticized Nigeria's Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage bill, threatening to pull their foreign aid, Mark responded that they "should keep [their] aid."[13] Mark called Nigeria's National Football Federation the "centre of corruption in the country", suggesting that they may need to temporarily disband to allow for reconstruction.[14]

Personal life

Mark and his wife Randa have children. He enjoys golf, tennis, and squash.[15] He is an Idoma Christian.[2][4]

His name is commonly used in conjunction with Nigerian advance fee fraud emails.[16] For more info about Nigeria Politics, visit http://www.placng.org

References

  1. ↑ "Zungeru: The abandoned first capital city of Nigeria". Nigerian Tribune online (African Newspapers of Nigeria). 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nkwazema, Stanley; Chuks Okocha and Juliana Taiwo (2007-11-02). "House Defies PDP, Elects Bankole Speaker". Thisday online (Leaders & Company). Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Senator David Mark". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Omipidan, Ismail (2007-09-02). "Mark’s landmark days in office". The Sun News On-line (The Sun Publishing). Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  5. ↑ "Childhood". Senate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012. 
  6. ↑ Aziken, Emmanuel (2007-10-12). "Marked for Battle - Akume Battles Mark for Senate Presidency". Vanguard (AllAfrica Global Media). Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
  7. ↑ "David Mark: Nigeria has become laughing stock". Nigeria News. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Mark pleads with Boko Haram on dialogue". Punch. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012. 
  9. ↑ NIGERIA'S SENATE PRESIDENCY AND A WHIFF OF CORRUPTION
  10. ↑ Rotimi Akinwumi and Akinwunmi King (Apr 12, 2011). "Mark, Tinubu, Nnamani, others greet Ngige, as APGA rejects Anambra results". Daily Independent. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  11. ↑ "Benue: David Mark in controversial re-election win". New Nigerian Politics. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012. 
  12. ↑ "No Fixed Position On Constitution Review – David Mark". Zimbio. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013. 
  13. ↑ Fisher, Jonah (5 December 2011). "Nigerian leaders unite against same-sex marriages". BBC News. Retrieved 2 May 2013. 
  14. ↑ Okeleji, Oluwashina (2 March 2012). "NFF will not comment on corruption claims". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2013. 
  15. ↑ "Senate President Profile". Sentate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012. 
  16. ↑ "Scam ATM Card Payment Money Transfers Example - David Mark". Consumer Fraud Reporting. 

External links

State Governors in Nigeria during the Muhammadu Buhari military regime (31 December 1983 – 27 August 1985)
See also State governors in the Nigerian Second Republic (1979 - 1983) and Military Governors in Nigeria during the Ibrahim Babangida regime (1985 - 1990)

For more info about Nigeria Politics, visit http://www.placng.org

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.