David Mark

Sen.
David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark
Governor of Niger State
In office
January 1984 – 1986
Preceded by Awwal Ibrahim
Succeeded by Garba Ali Mohammed
Senator for Benue South
In office
May 1999 – May 2003
President of the Senate
In office
6 June 2007 – 6 June 2015
Deputy Ike Ekweremadu
Preceded by Ken Nnamani
Succeeded by Bukola Saraki
Personal details
Born April 1948 (age 70)
Otukpo, Benue State[1]
Nationality Nigerian
Political party PDP
Residence Abuja
Alma mater Nigerian Defence Academy
Occupation Politician
Military service
Service/branch Nigerian Army
Rank Brigadier General

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, GCON (born April 1948) is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and politician. He was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015[2] and is the Senator for the Benue State constituency.[3] He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[4] Prior to his senatorial career, Mark was the military governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986[3][5] and the Minister of Communication.[5]

Early life and education

Mark was born in Zungeru Niger State in April 1948. He attended St. Francis Catholic Practicing School before attending the Nigerian Military School. After that he attended the Nigerian Defence Academy.[6] He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1970 and became a Captain in 1971. He was Commandant of Static Communications in 1974, then later held a political post as Chairman Abandoned Properties Implementation Committee in the Eastern region in 1976.[7]

Minister

Mark headed the Communications Ministry and its two major parastatals: Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). As Minister of Communications, Mark was sometimes known for his blunt talk; during a two-day walking tour of facilities in Akure in 1989, some union workers complained that some of its members had not been promoted since 1978. Mark's response was that those who have not been promoted may have to be retired,[7] meaning that unproductive workers will have to be let go. He also espoused the opinion of death penalty for telecom cable thieves, as well as a policy of dismantling under-utilized telecom facilities citing political considerations for giving allocations to towns with limited use of phone networks.

Senate of Nigeria

Mark was elected to his position as President of the Senate of Nigeria on June 6, 2007.[8]

David Mark ran for re-election to the Senate for Benue South in April 2011 and was elected for a fourth term.[9] David Mark noted that the polls pointed to his decisive victory, and called for his opponents to work together to improve Nigeria.[10]

When leading the review of the Nigerian Constitution, Mark reportedly urged his colleagues to set aside their personal interests and focus on the interests of the Nigerian people.[11] After the UK criticized Nigeria's Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage bill, threatening to pull their foreign aid, Mark responded that they "should keep [their] aid."[12] Mark called Nigeria's National Football Federation the "centre of corruption in the country," suggesting that they may need to temporarily disband to allow for reconstruction.[13]

Personal life

Mark and his wife Mrs. Kate Mark have children. David Mark is polygamous and is also married to Omale, Helen and Randa. He was also married to Priye, a Bayelsa women, and embroiled in a high-profile divorce in the year 2000. He enjoys golf, tennis, and squash.[14] He is an Idoma Christian.[2][4][15]

Mark has a country house with a helicopter and helipad.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Zungeru: The abandoned first capital city of Nigeria". Nigerian Tribune online. African Newspapers of Nigeria. 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  2. 1 2
  3. 1 2 "Senator David Mark". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  4. 1 2 Omipidan, Ismail (2007-09-02). "Mark's landmark days in office". The Sun News On-line. The Sun Publishing. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  5. 1 2 "Biography of David Mark". Nigerian Biography. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Childhood". Senate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  7. 1 2 Sam Egburonu. (1990). "It is High Time We Face Realities ", THISWEEK, July 2, 1990
  8. ↑ Aziken, Emmanuel (2007-10-12). "Marked for Battle - Akume Battles Mark for Senate Presidency". Vanguard. AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  9. ↑ Rotimi Akinwumi and Akinwunmi King (Apr 12, 2011). "Mark, Tinubu, Nnamani, others greet Ngige, as APGA rejects Anambra results". Daily Independent.
  10. ↑ "Benue: David Mark in controversial re-election win". New Nigerian Politics. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "No Fixed Position On Constitution Review – David Mark". Zimbio. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  12. ↑ Fisher, Jonah (5 December 2011). "Nigerian leaders unite against same-sex marriages". BBC News. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  13. ↑ Okeleji, Oluwashina (2 March 2012). "NFF will not comment on corruption claims". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Senate President Profile". Sentate President. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  15. ↑ "Scam ATM Card Payment Money Transfers Example - David Mark". Consumer Fraud Reporting.
  16. ↑ http://abujamedia.com.ng/david-marks-house-in-benue-state-has-a-helicopter-landing-space-on-its-roof/
  • Aziken, Emmanuel (2007-10-16). "N400m contract allegation: Senate declines Mark's move to step aside". Vanguard Online Edition. Vanguard Media. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  • Assemblyonline Nigeria News: Gender equality impossible in politics says David Mark.
  • BBC News: Legal blow for Nigerian senator; A tribunal in Nigeria has annulled the election of the president of the senate, David Mark.
  • NIGERIAN SCAM LETTER FROM SENATOR DAVID MARK

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