Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori (born 19 June 1963) is a Nigerian politician who is the current Governor of Delta State. He is the immediate past Speaker of the Delta State

House of Assembly House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level. Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible governme ...

as a representative of the

Okpe Okpe is a kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria. Today, it is also the name of a local government area. It is one of the many kingdoms that make up Urhobo tribe. Its capital is Orerokpe. The kingdom plays host to the Osubi Airport (also known as War ...

Constituency of Delta State under the

People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) The Peoples Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in Nigeria, along with its main rival, the All Progressives Congress. Its policies generally lie towards the centre-right of the political spectrum. It won eve ...

. He was declared the governor elect of Delta state on 20 March 2023 after winning the gubernatorial elections that was conducted on 18 March 2023.

Early childhood and education

Sheriff Oborevwori was born on 19 June 1963, to the family of Chief Samuel and Mrs. Esther Oborevwori of Osubi town in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. He began his early childhood education at Alegbo primary school and completed his secondary education at Oghareki Grammar School, Oghareki. He graduated from the prestigious Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2004 and later proceeded to obtain a master's degree in

political science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

from the

Delta State University Delta State University (DSU) is a public university in Cleveland, Mississippi Cleveland is a city in Bolivar County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 11,199 as of the 2020 United States Census. Cleveland has a large commercia ...

Abraka in 2010. Oborevwori is an alumnus of the

Alliance Manchester Business School Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS) is the business school of the University of Manchester in Manchester, England. One of the most prestigious business schools in the United Kingdom, it is also the second oldest in the UK, and pro ...

of Manchester University Leadership Executive Certificate Programme and the London School of Economics and Political Science certificate Programme on Leading Inclusive Development.

Political career

Oborevwori began his political career as a grassroot politician; Chairman of the Okpe Community. However he broke into limelight in 2015 after he was elected as the member representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly under the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP). This is after 19 years of serving in several key government positions first beginning as a Councillor in 1996. He was elected speaker of Delta State House of Assembly on 11 May 2017 following the impeachment of the then Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya. He was re-elected in 2019 as the Speaker for a second term, following his victory at the polls to represent his constituency, the Okpe State Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly.

Professional affiliations, awards and special recognition

Oborevwori is a member of several professional bodies including the

Nigerian Institute of Management The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) is a non-profit institution that defines the required skills and standards for professional managers, and offers courses leading to diplomas in Management. History The Nigerian Management Group was formed ...

(Chartered). He is also a fellow of the Chartered Management Consultant Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, Canada and Fellow of the Institute Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC). On May 14, 2018, he was recognized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) with a Legislative Icon Award through in honour of its several educational endeavours/scholarship programmes in supports of students across Delta State. He also received an honour from his kinsmen and was dabbed with a Chieftaincy Title; the Ukodo of Okpe by His Royal Majesty, the Orhorho 1, Orodje of Okpe in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the Okpe Kingdom.

Philanthropy activities

It was reported that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori provided scholarships to 25 indigene and non-indigene students in Okpe Local Government for the 2018/2019 academic session and other empowerment packs to the tune of six million naira on 24 June 2018 The educational support programme which was launched under the Oborevwori Foundation Scholarship Scheme was accompanied by other

entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value. With this definition, entrepreneurship is viewed as change, generally entailing risk beyond what is normally encountered in starting a business, which may include other values th ...

support/empowerment endeavours to support petty traders, market women and artisans. The philanthropic gesture witnessed the donation of 24 buses/cars 10 tricycles, 20 hair dressing saloon kits, including generators, 40 grinding machines for millers, 30 sewing machines for tailors, 20 deep freezers for market women in frozen food business and clothing hundreds of clothing for widows.

Life and family

Sheriff Oborevwori is married to Mrs. Oborevwori Tobore. In May 2011, it was reported that she was allegedly abducted by gunmen along Osubi road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. The culprits were later arrested and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment.

References