David Mark

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, GCON (born April 1948) is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and politician. He was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015[2] and was the Senator for Benue South Senatorial District Benue State.[3] He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[4] Prior to his senatorial career, Mark was the military Governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986[3][5] and the Minister of Communication.[6]

For other people named David Mark, see David Mark (disambiguation).
Sen.

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark
President of the Senate
In office
6 June 2007 – 6 June 2015
DeputyIke Ekweremadu
Preceded byKen Nnamani
Succeeded byBukola Saraki
Senator for Benue South
In office
May 1999 – May 2019
Governor of Niger State
In office
January 1989 – 1990
Preceded byAwwal Ibrahim
Succeeded byGarba Ali Mohammed
Personal details
BornApril 1948 (age 72)
Otukpo, Benue State[1]
NationalityNigerian
Political partyPDP
ResidenceAbuja
Alma materNigerian Defence Academy
OccupationPolitician
Military service
Branch/serviceNigerian Army
RankBrigadier General

Early life and education

Mark was born in Otukpo Benue State in April 1948. He attended St. Francis Catholic Practicing School before attending the Nigerian Military School. After that he attended the Nigerian Defence Academy.[7] He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1970 and became a Captain in 1971. He was Commandant of Static Communications in 1974, then later held a political post as Chairman Abandoned Properties Implementation Committee in the Eastern region in 1976.[8]

Minister

Mark headed the Communications Ministry and its two major parastatals: Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). As Minister of Communications, Mark was sometimes known for his blunt talk; during a two-day walking tour of facilities in Akure in 1989, some union workers complained that some of its members had not been promoted since 1978. Mark's response was that those who have not been promoted may have to be retired,[8] meaning that unproductive workers will have to be let go.[9] He also espoused the opinion of death penalty for telecom cable thieves, as well as a policy of dismantling under-utilized telecom facilities citing political considerations for giving allocations to towns with limited use of phone networks.[10]

Senate of Nigeria

Mark was elected to his position as President of the Senate of Nigeria on June 6, 2007.[11]

David Mark ran for re-election to the Senate for Benue South in April 2011 and was elected for a fourth term.[12] David Mark noted that the polls pointed to his decisive victory, and called for his opponents to work together to improve Nigeria.[13]

When leading the review of the Nigerian Constitution, Mark reportedly urged his colleagues to set aside their personal interests and focus on the interests of the Nigerian people.[14] After the UK criticized Nigeria's Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage bill, threatening to pull their foreign aid, Mark responded that they "should keep [their] aid."[15] Mark called Nigeria's National Football Federation the "centre of corruption in the country," suggesting that they may need to temporarily disband to allow for reconstruction.[16]

In September 2018 he was hoping to be a Presidential candidate and he appointed Zainab Abdulkadir Kure as his campaign manager and Abba Ejembi as his campaign's spokesperson.[17]

Personal life

 
He enjoys golf, tennis, and squash.[18] He is an Idoma Christian.[2][4][19]

Mark has a country house with a helicopter and helipad.[20]

References
  1. "Zungeru the abandoned first Northern Nigeria capital city where Nnamdi Azikiwe, Odemegwu Ojukwu, Orji Uzor Kalu and David Mark were born". 54history. African History. 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  2. Nkwazema, Stanley; Chuks Okocha; Juliana Taiwo (2007-11-02). "House Defies PDP, Elects Bankole Speaker". Thisday online. Leaders & Company. Archived from the original on 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  3. "Senator David Mark". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  4. Omipidan, Ismail (2007-09-02). "Mark's landmark days in office". The Sun News On-line. The Sun Publishing. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  5. "David Mark". Politicians Data. 2018-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  6. Mumeh, Paul (2019-09-06). "David Mark: Unfading Patriot, Still Championing Legacies At 72". Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  7. "Childhood". Senate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  8. Sam Egburonu. (1990). "It is High Time We Face Realities ", THISWEEK, July 2, 1990
  9. "David Mark". Politicians Data. 2018-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  10. Udeze, Chuka (2018-06-25). "David Mark Biography, Previous Offices, Military History And Other Facts". BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  11. Aziken, Emmanuel (2007-10-12). "Marked for Battle - Akume Battles Mark for Senate Presidency". Vanguard. AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  12. Rotimi Akinwumi and Akinwunmi King (Apr 12, 2011). "Mark, Tinubu, Nnamani, others greet Ngige, as APGA rejects Anambra results". Daily Independent.
  13. "Benue: David Mark in controversial re-election win". New Nigerian Politics. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  14. "No Fixed Position On Constitution Review – David Mark". Zimbio. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  15. Fisher, Jonah (5 December 2011). "Nigerian leaders unite against same-sex marriages". BBC News. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. Okeleji, Oluwashina (2 March 2012). "NFF will not comment on corruption claims". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  17. Itodo, Yemi (2018-09-12). "David Mark makes new appointments for his campaign organization". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  18. "Senate President Profile". Senate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  19. "Scam ATM Card Payment Money Transfers Example - David Mark". Consumer Fraud Reporting.
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-14. Retrieved 2015-08-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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