Profile of His Excellency, Dr. Phillips Omeiza Ozovehe Salawu
B.Sc,M.Sc,PhD, D.Sc(Hc), PhD(Hc),FCA, FCIB,FCS,FCTI, FFIA,FCCrFA, FCCFI,CPFA, AICMC,LLB,BL.
Phillips Omeiza Ozovehe Salawu is a distinguished elder statesman, a multifaceted professional, and a high-achieving technocrat. With a career spanning the heights of merchant banking and the peaks of Nigerian governance, he embodies a rare blend of intellectual brilliance and unblemished public service.
Early Life & Birthplace
Dr. Salawu was born on October 29, 1957, in the Ihima District of Okehi LGA, Kogi State, within Nigeria's North Central Geo-Political Zone. His journey from this humble beginning to the corridors of power is marked by an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence.
Educational Odyssey
Dr. Salawu’s academic record is nothing short of stellar, characterized by "firsts" and distinctions at every level:
- Secondary Education: Government Secondary School (GSS), Okene. He achieved a Division One with Distinction in his WASCE.
- Undergraduate Studies: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He earned a First Class Distinction in B.Sc. Accounting, sweeping every academic prize available in the department.
- Post-Graduate Academic & Professional Training:
- Emily Woolf College of Accountancy, London: Professional accounting training.
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE): Advanced studies in one of the world's premier social science institutions.
- University of Jos: Master of Science (M.Sc) and Doctoral studies, where he led his PhD class in coursework.
- Legal Education:
- Baze University, Abuja: Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
- Nigerian Law School (Abuja Campus): Barrister-at-Law (BL), qualifying him as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
A Decade of Impact: Deputy Governor of Kogi State
Dr. Salawu holds the distinct honor of being one of the longest-serving and most loyal deputy governors in Nigeria’s democratic history. He served the people of Kogi State for nearly nine consecutive years (2003–2012).
His tenure was defined by a remarkably harmonious relationship with his principal and a reputation for integrity. Such was his dedication that he was twice honored as the "Most Loyal Deputy Governor in Nigeria" during his term—a testament to his character and political stability.
The Professional & Financial Technocrat
Before entering the political fray, Dr. Salawu spent 12 years in Merchant Banking, rising from a Financial Analyst to Deputy General Manager (DGM). His expertise was honed globally through specialized training at:
- Chase Manhattan Bank, New York
- Citibank, New York
- Australia-New Zealand Bank, London
He is a Fellow and Associate of nine reputable professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (FCS).
Political & National Leadership
- PDP Founding Era: Served as the First National Director of Finance (1998–2002), where he designed the party's accounting system from scratch.
- Board of Trustees (BoT): Appointed as a member of the PDP BoT in 2013.
- National Discourse: Represented the North Central Zone at the 2014 National Conference, where he pioneered proposals for the rotation of the Presidency to ensure national unity.
- Public Administration: Served as a Governing Council Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee for the University of Calabar (2013–2017).
Personal Life
A man of faith and family, Dr. Salawu is happily married to Her Excellency, Mrs. Grace Itopa Omolola Salawu. Their union is blessed with six children and six grandchildren.[http://wisdomtide5.blogspot.com/2026/02/profile-of-his-excellency-dr-phillips.html]
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