Francis Alimikhena
Francis Asekhame Alimikhena (born 20 September 1947) is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Edo State. He was first elected in 2015 to represent Edo North Senatorial District in the in Senate and was reelected to a second term in 2019.[1][2][3][4] Senator Alimikhena is the vice-chairman, Senate Committee on Housing and also a member of the Senate committee on Constitutional Review.
Francis Alimikhena | |
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Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Edo North Senatorial District | |
Assumed office 6 June 2015 | |
Preceded by | Domingo Alaba Obende |
Deputy Chief Whip 8th National Assembly | |
Assumed office 10 June 2015 | |
Preceded by | Ayoola Hosea Agboola |
Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing | |
Assumed office 3 November 2015 | |
Preceded by | Bukkar Abba Ibrahim |
Personal details | |
Born | Francis Asekhame Alimikhena 20 September 1947 Etsako East, Edo, Nigeria |
Political party | All Progressives Congress |
Residence | Abuja (official) Auchi, Edo (private) |
Alma mater | University of Buckingham, United Kingdom (LLB) Nigerian Law School (B.L) |
Profession | Businessman politician retired military officer |
Awards | Forces Service Star (FSS) |
Website | https://senatoralimikhena.wordpress.com/ |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1972–2000 |
Rank | Major |
Commands | Multinational Joint Task Force |
Alimikhena is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was the Deputy Chief Whip of the 8th National Assembly.
Edo North Senatorial District covers six local government areas: (Etsako West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East, Owan West and Akoko Edo).
Childhood, military and education
Alimikhena was born in Igiode area of Etsako East local government area in Edo state on 20 September 1947. He was born into a strong catholic Christian home and grew up with a strong Christian principle.[5]
He joined the Nigerian Army as a commissioned officer in 1972. He was later commissioned as a lieutenant in 1982 and then held the position of Adjutant, Army Garrison between 1985 and 1989 and later promoted a Major in 1992. Alimikhena was awarded the Forces Service Star (FSS) in 1999. An honour meant for service Officers who have served the Army without blemish. Other positions held are Senior Officer (finance): Nigerian Army School of Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigerian Army Pension Board and Army Petroleum Trust Fund between 1999 and 2000. He retired from the Army a Major in 2000.[6]
Alimikhena started his education at Saint Thomas Secondary Modern School, and left in 1981. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom to study Law. He earned a Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) in 2003 and was later called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the supreme court of Nigeria.[7]
Private enterprise and philanthropic service
Alimikhena is an astute business man and philanthropist. He currently seat on the board of so many companies. He is currently the chairman of Falzal group of companies, Vice Chairman of Solidgate properties, Managing partner at FA Alimikhena & Co (Global Chambers) and also was the President of Anthony BBC between 1994 and 1997.[8]
His philanthropy and social ideals manifested themselves in the building of several projects within his home town in Etsako East local government which include building of Igiode Primary school to provide access to functional education, building and equipping a functional health center in Igiode based on the high level of cholera and the spread of water borne diseases, provided functional boreholes that is still the major source of water supply in Igiode, Agenebode in Etsako East local government area of Edo State.[9][10] His philanthropic work within the Catholic church family also gave him the honour of the certificate of the Mariam queen of the universe shrine in Orlando Florida, United States also Pope Benedict XVI honoured him with the papal knight of Saint Gregory the great.[11] He is also a member of Knight of Saint Mulumba (KSM) and was given a respected traditional title as the OKHASO of wappa Wanno Kingdom by the Afemai people.[12]
Political campaign and governance
In 2007, Alimikhena joined politics by contesting for the Edo North senatorial seat under the platform of People's Democratic Party but lost. He later contested in 2011 for the same senatorial post but lost again. Thereafter defected to the All Progressives Congress and contested for the same senatorial seat in 2015 and won after polling a total of 86,021 to beat his closest rival Pascal Ugbome of the People's Democratic Party who polled 66,062 votes.[13]
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Alimikhena was elected to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the All Progressives Congress candidate from Edo North in March 2015.[14] He won the election with 86,021 votes.[15] He was sworn in as a senator on 6 June 2015. Alimikena was the only elected All Progressives Congress senator in the entire South South and South Eastern part of Nigeria in 2015 general election.[16][17] He ran for the position of Deputy Senate President in 2019. [18]
Alimikhena has sponsored several bills in the Senate:
- Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrar (est., etc.) Bill 2015 (SB. 25)[19]
- A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of Environmental Managers Registration Council of Nigeria to provide for Code of Conduct, Professional Ethics and Stipulation of Minimum Standards and for other related matters, 2016 (S.B. 88)[20]
- Agricultural Processing Zones Establishing Bill 2016[21]
- Establishment of national commission for persons with disabilities (SB22)[22]
On 19 December 2014, he emerged as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a heated party primary election at Edo state.[23]
Family life
Senator Alimikhena is married to Lady Alimikhena and blessed with children.[24]
Memberships and clubs
- Member, Nigerian bar association (NBA)
- Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member, IBB Lagos golf club Ikeja
- Member, Usagbe club of Nigeria
Projects
- Building of Igiode Primary school
- Functional health center in Igiode
- Functional boreholes in Igiode
References
- Nigeria, News Agency of (25 February 2019). "Elections: Senator Alimikhena retains Edo North senatorial seat". TODAY. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Ibeh, Nnenna (25 February 2019). "Oshiomohole delivers senatorial seat to Alimikhena for second term". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Olowolagba, Fikayo (25 February 2019). "Nigeria Election Results: Alimikhena of APC defeats Momoh, wins Edo senate seat". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Published. "APC wins Edo North Senatorial seat again". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- Admin (7 November 2016). "ALIMIKHENA, Sen Francis Asekhame". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Admin. "Our Team". SolidGate properties. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Francis Alimikhena". NASS. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Board & Management". ARS Group. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Saraki Eulogies Senator Alimikhena". Nigerian Pilot. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Atu, Benjamin. "Legacies And Legendary of Francis Alimikhena: Edo North Senator Elect". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Our Team". SolidGate properties. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Atu, Benjamin. "Legacies And Legendary of Francis Alimikhena: Edo North Senator Elect". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- LAMA, CASSIUS. "Edo North: INEC declares Alimikhena, Akpatason winners". Nigerian Observers. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Know your lawmakers: Incoming senators of the 8th NASS". National Mirror. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- LAMA, CASSIUS. "Edo North: INEC declares Alimikhena, Akpatason winners". Nigerian Observers. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Atu, Benjamin. "Legacies And Legendary of Francis Alimikhena: Edo North Senator Elect". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Know your lawmakers: Incoming senators of the 8th NASS". National Mirror. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/334162-im-still-in-race-for-deputy-senate-president-alimikhena.html
- "Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Order Paper". National Assembly, Nigeria. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Duru, Osita. "Senate Proceedings for Tuesday 29th November 2016". Authority Ngr. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Ogunmade, Omololu. "Bill". This Day. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Mudashir, Ismaila. "Senate's 3 bills in 7 months". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "As Alimikhena Picks Edo North Senatorial APC Ticket". Nigerian Observers. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- Admin. "Auchi Poly Staff's Daughter Marry's Rector's Son". Nigerian Observers. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- http://www.politiciansdata.com/content/alimikhena-asekhame-francis/