Born on June 19, 1963, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori is a politician from Nigeria who now serves as Delta State’s governor. Serving as a legislator for the Okpe Constituency of Delta State under the People’s Democratic Party (Nigeria), he was the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly in the most recent term. After winning the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election, he was proclaimed the next governor of Delta State on March 20, 2023.
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Education and childhood
Sheriff Oborevwori was born on June 19, 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 from Delta State University, Abraka, in 2010. Oborevwori is an alumnus of the Alliance Manchester Business School of Manchester University Leadership Executive Certificate Programme and the London School of Economics and Political Science Certificate Programme on Leading Inclusive Development.
Career in Politics
Oborevwori began his political career as a grassroots politician and chairman of the Okpe Community. However, he broke into the 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.[1] He was elected speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on May 11, 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.
Awards and Special Recognition
Oborevwori is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). He is also a fellow of the Chartered Management Consultant Chartered Institute of Management Consultants, Canada, and a Fellow of the Institute of 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 in honour of its several educational endeavors and scholarship programmes in support 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, and the 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 June 24, 2018 The educational support program, which was launched under the Oborevwori Foundation Scholarship Scheme, was accompanied by other entrepreneurship support and 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 hundreds of garments for widows.
Family Life
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 of imprisonment.