Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki
Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki[1] is currently the Minister of State for Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21st August, 2019[2] and former senator who was elected to represent the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the year 2003 under the platform of the People's Democratic Party.[3] She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State.[3] She’s a sibling to Former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (8th Assembly), Bukola Saraki.
Gbemisola Ruqayyah Sarakii | |
---|---|
Minister of State for Transportation | |
Assumed office 21 August 2019 | |
Preceded by | John Okechukwu Emeka |
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Kwara Central Senatorial District | |
In office May 2003 – May 2011 | |
Preceded by | Salman Is'haq |
Succeeded by | Bukola Saraki |
Personal details | |
Political party | All Progressive Congress (APC) |
Profession | Insurance, Politician |
Background
Saraki attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and earned a bachelor's degree in Economics. She did her national service at the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos. She worked for the Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) with the post of the Head of Money Markets and later as Head of Domiciliary Accounts. From 1994 to 1999, she was Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.[4]
Her father is Abubakar Olusola Saraki, who was a leading senator of the Second Nigerian Republic (1979–1983) and father of politics in Kwara State.[5] Her brother, Abubakar Bukola Saraki was governor of Kwara State, Nigeria from 29 May 2003 to 29 May 2011 and was the President of the 8th Senate of Nigeria.[6] She is divorced from her husband, architect Olusegun Fowora whom she had married in 1990 and has 2 children, a daughter, Tiwalola Oyinkansola Fowora born in 1991 and a son, Olaotan Fowora born in 1995.
Political career
Saraki was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1999 under the umbrella of the All People's Party (APP). She ran under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) for the senate in 2003 and won the seat, representing the Central Senatorial District of Kwara State. She re-contested in 2007 and won again, serving as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years (2003-2011). In 2011, she relinquished her senatorial seat to contest the gubernatorial election of Kwara State under the ACPN party, losing election to the winner, the PDP's Abdul Fatah Ahmed. As a legislator 2003-2011, she was a member of several committees. At the Senate in 2007-2011, Saraki chaired the Senate Committee on National Planning, Poverty Alleviation and Economic Affairs. She also acted as Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Saraki was also a returning member of the ECOWAS Parliament.[7] Saraki defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the eve of the 2015 presidential election.[8] In February 2016, Saraki was appointed by President Muhammed Buhari as the Pro Chancellor and Chairperson of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.[9] On 13 February 2017, Saraki was also appointed as one of the 16-member committee to re-negotiate its 2009 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)[3]
On 21 August 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her as the Minister of State for Transportation.[10]
Saraki is a cerebral thinker with developmental ideas. In February 2020, she delivered a speech on youth participation and inclusion at the University of Ilorin Post Graduate College. [11]
See also
References
- "Gbemisola Rukayat - Saraki, Politician, Senator and Entreprenuer, Nigeria Personality Profiles". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- Andrew Kintum (4 January 2020). "FMOT: All Eyes on Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki". Transport Day. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "Sen. Gbemisola R. Saraki". National Assembly of Nigeria. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- "Senator Gbemi Saraki". Gbemi Saraki. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
- "Dr. Olusola Saraki: A kingmaker at 70". Daily Trust. 12 May 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- "Battle Royale for Second Terms Govs' Seats". ThisDay. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- "Female Minister's Profile". Vanguard News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- Opejobi, Seun (29 July 2019). "Ministerial screening: You abandoned me - Saraki tells PDP Senators". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Female Minister's Profile". Vanguard News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- "Buhari assigns portfolios to new ministers". Premium Times Nigeria. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- https://sahelstandard.com/2020/02/09/political-participation-is-a-foundation-for-social-justice-sen-gbemisola-saraki/. Missing or empty
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Legislative Career