OZEKHOME, Chief Mike Agbedor Abu

LL.B, BL, LL.M, MNIM, legal practitioner, constitutional lawyer, human rights and prodemocracy activist,author, businessman, notary public, born October 15, 1957, Iviukwe- Agenebode, Etsaka East LGA, Edo State; married Josephine Moses Anyia 1991, three sons, three daughters; Education: St. Mary's Catholic PrimarySchool, Iviukwe, 1964-69, St. Peter's College, Agenebode, 1970-74, Baptist Academy, Lagos, 1975, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, 1975-80, 81-82; Nigerian Law School, Lagos; Career: Appointed Law In ternship, Kanni lsola Osobu & Chief Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, 1977-81; State Coun sel, Federal Ministry of Justice. Lagos, sec onded to the National Provident Fund, La gos, 1981-82; appointed Lecturer in Law, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, 1982-84; Associ ate and Deputy Head of Chambers, Chief Gani Fawehinmi's Chambers, Lagos, 1984- 85; Chief Counsel/Head of Chambers, Mike Ozekhome Chambers, (with branches in four zones ofNigeria); Co-founder, Civil Liber ties Organisation, since 1987; Director, Le gal Services, Civil Liberties Organisation, 1987-92;member,Board ofGovernors, Civil Liberties Organisation, 1987-92; Founder, Universal Defenders of Democracy, since 1992;member, Nigerian Institute of Manage ment, 1995; member, International Bar As sociation, since 1985; member, Common wealth Lawyers Association, since 1985; member, Rotary Club International, Idi- Araba, Lagos; member, Amnesty Interna tional, 1995; Legal Adviser, Amnesty Inter national, Nigeria Chapter, since 1996; mem ber, Federal Government Panel on Re organisation of the Nigerian Customs Ser vice, 1994; Founding Assistant Editor, Ni gerian Weekly Law Report, 1985; member, •Editorial Board, Times Law Report, 1986- 92; Has handled many sensational and ep ochal cases such as the Oil Subsidy Case; the 'Umanah Umanah' money case of Port- Harcourt; the General Zamani Lekwot case; the Gwagwalada five case; the Ghagadu Murder case; the Onwuka Kalu case; the Bob Alfa case, etc; member, Board of Governors, Montessori Nursery & Primary School, Benin-City; Founder, Mike Ozekhome Mercy Organisation, 1990; Founder/Presi dent, Peace Initiative, 1998; Chairman/Chief Executive, Mikzek Law Publications Lim ited; Chairman/Chief Executive, Mococa Law Publications Limited; Chairman, Ozek Interbiz Group Limited; Chairman, Josmac Industries Limited; Chairman, Alimab Ven tures Limited; Chairman, Doramiz Nigeria Limited; Chairman, Ukwe Integrated Farms Limited; Chairman, Ozekhome Ventures Limited; Chairman, Zemic International Lim ited; Legal Adviser, Sports Writers Associa tion ofNigeria (SWAN), Lagos Branch,since 1992; Financial Secretary, Sports Lawyers Association ofNigeria, since 1992; Legal Adviser/Attorney, Nigerian Union of Jour nalists and West African Journalists Asso ciation since 1989; Legal Adviser to the Body of 72 Traditional Rulers of Edo North & Central Senatorial Districts, since 1992; member, Board of Advisers, National Asso ciation ofNigerian Traders; Founder & Pro prietor, Ozekhome Babes, Football Club, Agenebode; Proprietor, Iviukwe Bombers Football Club, Iviukve; Patron, University of Benin Law Students Association, since 1988; Patron, Edo State University, Ekpoma Law Students Association, since 1997; Patron, University of Ife Campus Chambers, since 1988; Patron, Federated Union of All Etsako Students, since 1989; Patron, Etsako Student Union, I.M.T., Enugu, since 1995; Patron Boy's Brigade Nigeria & The Girls Brigade Nigeria, Oshodi Company, Lagos; Patron, Etsako Students Union, University ofNige ria, Nsukka, since 1994; Patron, Lagos State Taekwando, since 1994; Co-founder and General Secretary, Press Club, St. Peter's College, Agenebode, 1972-74; member, De bating & Dramatic Society, St. Peter's Col lege, Agenebode, 1972-74; member, Student Representative Council, Faculty ofLaw con stituency, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, 1976-80; Acting Speaker, Student Representative Council, University of Ife, 1980; Leader of delegation of University of Ife to Congress of National Officers of NANS, Benin, 1980; Assistant General Secretary, Law Students Society, University of Ife, 1978; Social Sec retary, Law Student Society, University of Ife, 1978; Chairman, Moot and Mock Trial Com mittee, University of Ife, 1980; Co-founder/ director of Publicity, Skala Club, University of Ife, 1976-79; Deputy Editor-in-Chief/Edi tor-in-Chief, 'The X-Ray' Magazine, pub lished by the X-Ray Club, University of Ife, 1976-80; General Secretary, Association of Campus Journalists, Unife, 1978-80; Direc tor of Publicity/Editor-in-Chief, NANU Voice Magazine, 1977-79; member, Island Club, Lagos; member, Ugagbe Club ofNi geria; member, Etsako Club 81 ofNigeria; member, Weppa-Wanno Union ofNigeria; member, Weppa-Wanno Development Asso ciationofNigeria; member, IviukweProgres sive Union, Lagos; member, Iviukwe Dy namic Forum; Awards/Honours: Winner, BendelState Government Merit Scholarship Award, 1976-80; recipient, Distinguished Alumnus ofthe University ofIfe, 1990; The Most Outstanding Great Ife Alumnus for Contribution to Children, World Peace and Human Rights by the Jaycees Junior Cham bers, OAU, Ile-Ife, 1998; awarded Notary Public ofNigeria, 1989; recipient, Weppa- Wanno Merit Award, 1994; Traditional Titles: Asebigwe of Weppa-Wanno Land, Agenebode, 1990; Olunagbor of Uzuire, Jattu, 1991 ;Adenomo of Auchi Land, 1993; Okaku of Unime Land, Anegbette, 1994; Baloro of Igando, Lagos, 1995; Ukinovhai of Emai Land, Afuze, 1997; Ohamadike I of Obibi-Ochasi, Orlu, Imo State, 1998; Hob bies: reading, writing, travelling, sight-see ing, sports, philanthropy & mercy works, music, tending pets & plants; Official Ad dress: Top Floor, 49, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos; Telephone: 01-584-5848; Home: Ukwe Castle, 1, Mike Ozekhome Lane, Off Osunba Street, Igando, Lagos State. Telephone: 01-584-6919.