Jerry Gana, is a Nigerian scholar, politician and one time senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1983 then Director for the Directorate of Food, Roads and Infrastructure (DFRRI).He was the director of the Mass Mobilization for Social Justice and Economic Recovery, popularly known as MAMSER under Ibrahim Babangida,[1] then Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in the Interim National Government under Ernest Shonekan.[1] Later he became Minister of Information and Culture under General Sani Abacha, then Minister of Corporation and Integration in Africa under Olusegun Obasanjo as well as being Minister of Information and national Orientation. He also served as Political Adviser to Olusegun Obasanjo, before announcing plans to run for president in June 2006.[2]
Jerry Gana | |
|---|---|
 Jerry Gana, CON, Ph.D, DD, FNES, FSSA, FNIPR,FNITP,FNGA,FRGS | |
| Minister of Co-operation and Integration in Africa | |
| In office June 1999 – January 2001 | |
| Minister of Information and National Orientation | |
| In office 29 May 2001 – July 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Dapo Sarumi |
| Succeeded by | Chukwuemeka Chikelu |
| Senator | |
| In office 1983–1983 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 November 1945 Busu Lavun, Niger State, Nigeria |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party (SDP) |
| Spouse | Lucy Tani Gana (m. 1974) |
| Children | Grace Lami Gana Joshua Audu Gana Elizabeth Sako Yisa (nee Gana) James Boye Gana |
| Education | Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, - (B.A (Hon) Upper Division) University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen - (M.Sc., Ph.D) University of London (Postgraduate) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | www.jerrygana.org.ng |
Background edit
Gana was born on 30 November 1945 at Busu near Bida, in Niger State.[3] He obtained the West African School Certificate from Government College, Bida in 1964, and proceeded to Okene Secondary School for the Higher School Certificate (H.S.C.) from 1965 to 1966, passing out with distinctions as the best results in 1967. Gana proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and graduated in 1970 with a B.A. (Hons) degree (Upper Division) in Geography. He then attended Kings College of the University of Aberdeen University, Scotland.for an M.Sc Course in Rural Resources Planning, leading to a PhD in Market Place Systems and Rural Development in 1974. He obtained a Certificate of Education from the University of London and taught at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1974 to 1986, rising to the post of a Professor in 1985.[3][4]
He was Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos until 2017[5]
Political career edit
He was elected Senator in 1983, serving briefly until the military coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power. He was appointed chairman of Mass Mobilisation for Social and Economic Recovery under General Ibrahim Babangida's government. He subsequently became a cabinet minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Information and Culture, Cooperation and Integration in Africa and again for Information and National Orientation.[3][6]
Gana ran unsuccessfully for president in 1992 on the Social Democratic Party platform.[7]
Fourth Republic edit
Gana was the founding national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998.[3] In June 2001, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Gana Minister of Co-operation and Integration in Africa.[8] In January 2001, Obasanjo reassigned his cabinet. In the new cabinet announced in February 2001 Gana was Minister of Information.[9] Gana was also secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees.[10] Gana resigned in July 2006 as special advisor to President Olusegun Obasanjo, and in August 2006 announced he would contend for the PDP candidature for the 2007 presidential elections.[7]
In 2018 Gana announced he would be running as a Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for president in the 2019 Elections.[11][12]
References edit
- ^ a b 2007 - PDP's Emerging Presidential Queue, Weekly Trust, 22 October 2006
- ^ Nwankwere, Lucky (9 June 2006). "2007: 6 govs, Jerry Gana indicate interest in presidency". Online Nigeria Daily News. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d "2007: Is Jerry Gana the much awaited dark horse?". Daily Sun Online. Sun Publishing Limited. 6 November 2006. Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
- ^ "PROFILE: Jerry Gana". Nigeria National Conference. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "UNILAG gets New Pro-Chancellor". UNILAG News. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ "Prof. Jerry Gana Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ a b "2007: After serving severalmasters, Jerry Gana says it's his turn to be president". Daily Sun. 28 August 2006. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
- ^ "OBASANJO HIRES & FIRES". NDM DEMOCRACY WATCH 1999/03. NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (NDM). 1 July 1999. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "The Ministers and Their Portfolios". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "PDP's Men of Power". ThisDay. 10 November 2001. Archived from the original on 2 December 2005. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ Egbede, Lois (12 July 2018). "Jerry Gana declares 2019 presidential ambition". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ "2019 Presidential Election: I'm representing youth — Jerry Gana". Vanguard News. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.