Biography of Ben Ayade, Career and Personal life
Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade was born on 2 March 1968 in Kakum, Obudu LGA, Cross River State to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Akinsheye Ayade. Ben Altadena is a Nigerian professor, politician and the 17th Governor of Cross River state. Before his election as governor, Ben Ayade was a Nigerian senator.
Ben Ayade Profile
|
Name |
Ben Ayade |
|
Real Names |
Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade |
|
Date of Birth |
2 March 1968 |
|
Age |
53 Years (2021) |
|
Occupation |
Politician |
|
Religion |
Christian |
|
State of Origin |
Cross River State |
|
Known for |
17th Governor of Cross River |
|
Political Party |
All Progressive Congress (APC) |
|
Wife |
Dr. Linda Ayade |
|
Net Worth |
Under Review |
Educational Background
Ben Ayade obtained his First School Leaving Certificate from St Stephens Primary School, Obudu. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Obudu for his secondary education where he obtained his West African Secondary School Certificate.
In 1988, Ben Ayade obtained a B.Sc in microbiology from the University of Ibadan. He later got a Masters degree in Microbiology in 1990 and a doctorate degree in environmental microbiology in 1994 from the University of Ibadan.
In 2002, Ayade obtained an MBA from the Ambrose Ali University.
In 2010, Ben Ayade obtained a degree in Law from the Delta State University, Abraka, Delta state.
Career
Before he ventured into politics, Prof. Ben Ayade worked as a lecturer with the Delta State University, Abraka. Ben Ayade invented a sewage treatment plant powered by solar energy.
He has served in the following capacities
- Chairman of Ecological Fund
- Chairman of International Institute of Environmental Research
- Member of Strategic Policy Advisory Council
- Member of Nigeria Association of Petroleum Engineers
- Member of Cross River State Poverty Alleviation Board
In 2010, Ben Ayade picked up nomination form to represent Cross River North in the Nigerian Senate under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He won the party primary election and was subsequently elected a senator in the. 2011 general election with 91,123 votes.
While serving in the Nigerian Senate, Ben Ayade was Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and member of committees on Petroleum Downstream, Education, Drugs/Narcotics/Crime.
In 2014, Ben Ayade picked up nomination form to run for Cross River State Governor under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He won the party primaries and in April 2015, he defeated Odey Ochicha of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to be elected governor of Cross Rivers State.
Ben Ayade polled a total of 342,016 votes while Odey Ochicha polled a total of 53,983 votes. Ben Ayade was sworn in as the 17th Governor of Cross Rivers state on 29th May, 2015.
In 2019, Ben Ayade ran for a second term in office and was re elected under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Awards and Recognition
In 1994, Ben Ayade won the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology.
In 2016, Ben Ayade was named the Governor of the year by popular Nigerian newspaper “Vanguard ”
In 2019, he was named the Governor of the year by Champions newspapers.
In August 2019, Ben Ayade was knighted as a Knight of St. John (KSJ) International by the Roman Catholic Church at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Calabar.
In May 2021, Dr Ben Ayade decamped from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress(APC).
Personal life
Prof. Ben Ayade is married to Dr. Linda Ayade. Their union is blessed with three children. He is a devote catholic.
Ben Ayade loves reading, playing and watching games, and dancing.
