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About Hon. Olugbenga Edema

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Hon. Olugbenga Edema

Hon. Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, astute politician, lawyer, mentor, philanthropist and leader, was born in Ogogoro, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on November 15, 1966.

He began his elementary education at L.A. Primary School, Ogogoro, Ilaje Local Government Area, from 1972-1976 and completed it at Urban Community School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in 1977. He started his secondary education at Erinje Grammar School, Ode-Erinje, between 1977 and 1978 and later proceeded to Doherty Memorial Grammar School, Ijero-Ekiti, from 1978-1982. After a successful completion of his secondary education, he attended the University of Ibadan Extra-Mural classes, Ibadan, Oyo State, between 1983 and 1984 where he obtained his A/Level Certificate.

The thirst for more education took him to the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, from 1985-1990 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography. He later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1992 and earned a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1999. He thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja, between 1999 and 2000 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in the year 2001.

Hon. Edema did his national service at Gbongan/Ode-Omu (Ang.) Grammar School, Gbongan, Osun State, between 1990 and 1991. He thereafter served as General Manager (Operations), at Takei International Investments Limited, Akure, Ondo State, between 1992 and 1993.

He began his service to humanity in his university days when he held various positions and left a legacy of meritorious service to humanity at a young age. He was Assistant Secretary General, Nigerian Universities Geography Students Association (NUGSA), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Chapter, from 1987-1988; President, Doherty Memorial Grammar School Old Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Chapter, between 1988 and 1989; Chairman, Electoral Committee, Law Students' Society, University of Ibadan Chapter, Ibadan, in 1998; and President, National Association of Ilaje Students, University of Ibadan Chapter, Ibadan, between 1998 and 1999.

His political credentials are iconic and towering, beginning in 1990 when he served as a Delegate to the Local Government Congress of the Social Democratic Party in Ilaje/Ese-Odo L.G.A.

He was the Electroal Officer, Mahin I, during the Gubernatorial Primary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1991 that produced Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Delegate to the 1993 National Convention of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Jos, that produced Basorun MKO Abiola, the eventual winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 election; Member, Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), Ilaje Local Government Chapter, Ondo State, from 1996-1998; Member, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ilaje Local Government Chapter, Ondo State from 1999-2010; Electoral Officer, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Assembly Primaries, Ilaje L.G.A, Ondo State, in Nov. 2002.

Hon. Edema served as Personal Assistant to the Ondo State Representative on the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, from 2001-2004; Member of Board, Ondo State Sports Council, from 2005-2007; Member, Ondo State Scholarship Board from 2007-2009; Delegate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ilaje L.G.A., from 1999-2010; Delegate, National Convention, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos, in 2014; Honourable Member, Ondo State House of Assembly from 2011-2015; Chairman, Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on OSOPADEC from 2011-2014; and Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) from 2017-2021. He was the Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from January 2023-June 2023.

During his stints at the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and the House of Assembly, he demonstrated leadership and service to the people by sponsoring development-oriented bills and engaging hundreds of youths across the State in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. As OSOPADEC Chairman, he successfully midwifed the establishment of a Micro Finance Bank, MEMPHIS Micro Finance Bank, that catered for the micro-finance needs of the people in the OSOPADEC mandate area, which is still subsisting till date. He also established Coastville Global Resources Ltd., a conglomerate which is currently into real estate and property development.

A distinguished Attorney-at-Law, Hon. Edema is a member of several professional associations. He is a Member, Nigerian Bar Association; Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria); Member, Society for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Nigeria (CITN); and Associate Member, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN); Member, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

Hon. Gbenga Edema is a devout Anglican; He is the Registrar of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Ilaje, and the Asiwaju of St. David’s Anglican Church, Ogogoro, Ilaje Local Government Area.

Hon. Gbenga Edema brings to the governorship race a total of 34 years of sterling service to Ondo people and to humanity, spanning legislative, executive as well as legal experience and training.

He is happily married with children.