Colonel (retired) Robert (Bob) Nnaemeka Akonobi was appointed military governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, from December 1987 to August 1990 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.[1]

Robert Nnaemeka Akonobi
Military Governor of Anambra State
In office
December 1987 – August 1990
Preceded bySamson Omeruah
Succeeded byHerbert Eze

On 27 June 1988, Akonobi reconstituted the board of Nigeria Mineral Water Industries, empowering it turn the company into a profitable private venture.[2] In 1989, he established the Anambra State Oil Palm Development Agency.[3] He officially commissioned the Anambra State University of Technology Teaching Hospital, since renamed the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, on 19 July 1991.[4] Akonobi was entangled in the struggle between the Wawa (Anambra North) and Ijekebee (Anambra South) groups, which reached its peak in a bloodbath at Nkpor junction in 1983.[5]

In a controversial book titled Akonobi Brothers and Sisters (ABS), a later governor of Anambra State Christian Onoh accused Akonobi of using his position to acquire property in Enugu.[6] Onoh, who owned 510 undeveloped lots of land, described "monumental corruption" and said the Akonobi brothers had stolen huge amounts of Federal funds. Akonibi denied the allegations.[7]

After the restoration of democracy with the Nigerian Fourth Republic, Akonobi joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and became a force in Anambra State politics. In 2002, he was coordinator of President Olusegun Obasanjo's Campaign Organization in Anambra State for the 2003 elections.[8] He became a member of the New Anambra Elders Forum, set up after a political crisis that followed the 2003 elections.[9] In February 2008 Akonobi's home in Enugu was destroyed by fire.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Nigerian States". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  2. ^ Ezema Jonas Uwakwe (October 2003). "Influencing of the Commercialization and Privatization Programmes on Narketing of New Products and Innovation Programmes". University of Nigeria. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  3. ^ "Commodities > Fruits, Nuts and Oils". OT Africa Line. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  4. ^ "About NAUTH". Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  5. ^ C. Nna-Emeka Okereke PhD (September 21, 2008). "OPENSORE OF A DEMOCRACY: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ANAMBRA POLITICAL CRISIS". Peace, Conflict and Development Research. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  6. ^ Chioma Gabriel and Tony Edike (9 May 2009). "C.C. Onoh - the Exit of a Statesman". Vanguard. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  7. ^ Bamidele A. Ojo (1998). Nigeria's Third Republic: the problems and prospects of political transition to civil rule. Nova Publishers. p. 158. ISBN 1-56072-580-X.
  8. ^ Amby Uneze (October 9, 2002). "Igbo 'Ll Reap From Obasanjo's Re-Election, Says Akonobi". This Day. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  9. ^ Oke Epia (2004-01-16). "Ngige: APGA Opposes Elders Forum". ThisDay. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  10. ^ Francis Ugwoke (15 February 2008). "Ex-Governor Akonobi's House Gutted By Fire". ThisDay. Retrieved 2010-05-10.