Okwesilieze Nwodo Politician

Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo (Okwy) (born 28 July 1950 in Nsukka, Nigeria) is a Nigerian politician who was elected Governor of Enugu State in January 1992 during the Nigerian Third Republic.Later he became a senior politician in the People's Democratic Party (PDP).Nwodo studied medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1971–77). Between 1977 and 1980 he was a house officer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu and at the Military Hospital in Jos.He continued his studies at the Royal College of Surgeons, London (1980) and the Belgrade Medical School, Yugoslavia (1980–84), gaining an MB.BS in Medicine and Surgery.He worked as a pediatric surgeon in Yugoslavia and then in Birmingham, England, before returning to Nigeria and taking a post as Medical Doctor at the Ukehe Medical Centre and Maternity (1984-1991).Nwodo was elected Governor of Enugu State in January 1992 on the NRC platform during the Nigerian Third Republic.He held office until November 1993, when General Sani Abacha came to power in a military coup.He was twice elected Secretary General of People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999-2001.In October 2001 he was replaced by Vincent Ogbulafor as PDP party secretary.He fell out with Enugu State governor Chimaroke Nnamani in 2002.In December 2003 the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission announced that it was investigating Nwodo and others in connection with a multi-billion naira bribery scandal related to the National Identity Card scheme.In 2007 he was awarded a national honor, Commander of the Niger, by President Shehu Yar'Adua. In 2010 he was elected National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party.In 2010 he was cleared of all charges on the Identity Card scandal.In 2014 The Beta Sigma Fraternity International, at itsbiennial convention held at Enugu, has elected DrOkwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of EnuguState, as its President for the next two years.Other elected officers include; Dr Duke Igwilo, UK-based Forensic Psychiatrist and Director General,Alex Ekwueme Foundation, as Vice President; MrValentine Okechukwu as Registrar, Dr EmekaObieze as Deputy Registar, Mr Charles Ekwulugoas Financial Secretary and Damian Obiora asPublicity Secretary.In his acceptance speech, Nwodo, enjoined allmembers to live up to the high ideals for whichthe Beta Sigma was formed in Nigeria.He stated that “at a time when our society isplagued by socio-economic problems and securitychallenges, members should extend hand offellowship to the less-privileged and the poor inour communities.”He said activities to mark the golden jubilee ofthe Fraternity will be announced soon.The Beta Sigma Fraternity International is a soco-cultural, philanthropic and international serviceorganisation for graduates and undergraduatesworldwide.