Charles Ugwuh

Charles Chukwuemeka Ugwuh
Minister of Commerce and Industry
In office
26 July 2007 – 29 Oct 2008
Preceded by Aliyu Modibbo Umar
Succeeded by Achike Udenwa
Personal details
Born 3 December 1942
Obowo LGA, Okigwe zone, Imo State, Nigeria

Charles Chukwuemeka Ugwuh (born 3 December 1942) is an engineer and industrialist who headed the Nigerian ministry of commerce and industry from July 2007 to October 2008. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[1]

Background

Charles Chukwuemeka Ugwuh was born on 3 December 1942 in the Obowo Local Government Area of the Okigwe zone of Imo State.[2] Charles Ugwuh holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, England. He is the owner of Rokana Industries and Hydro Resources Industries Limited, both located in Imo State.[3]

Charles Ugwuh became president of Manufacturers' Association of Nigeria (MAN). Speaking in 2003, he said that Nigerian companies were willing to go into joint ventures with foreign partners. He was concerned that Nigeria should manufacture goods, rather than import them, and that investors should put money into industries other than oil. He saw the government's role as providing incentives for investors and supplying basic infrastructure such as health, education, social security, and new roads.[4]

Political career

In late 2006, while still president on MAN, Ugwuh competed in the PDP primaries to select their candidate for Imo State governor in the April 2007 elections. Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume was the clear winner, with Ugwuh in tenth place. Apparently due to pressure from President Olusegun Obasanjo, the PDP declared that Ugwuh was their candidate.[5] Araraume contested this decision, and his candidacy was upheld by the Independent National Electoral Commission, despite the fact that the PDP expelled Araraume from the party. The PDP gave their support to Chief Martin Agbaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).[6] Araruame was defeated by Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Alliance.[7]

Minister of Commerce and Industry

President Umaru Yar'Adua named Charles Ugwuh Minister for Commerce & Industry on 27 July 2007.[1] In September 2007, Charles Ugwuh headed a Nigerian delegation to China for a "Nigeria-China Business and Investment Forum". He noted the expanding investment from China, and expressed hopes that both sides will continue to push economic and trade co-operation to a new level.[8]

In a January 2008 interview, Ugwuh outlined the new government strategy for manufacturing, based on the clustering concept – industrial parks, industrial clusters, enterprise zones, incubators and then free trade zones.[9] In March 2008, Charles Ugwuh allowed a limited number of licences for cement importation, trying to balance the need to protect the local cement industry while meeting unfilled demand.[10][11] In April 2008, he announced plans to revive the automobile industry, with focus on light vans, trucks and buses.[12] In May 2008 Charles Ugwuh noted that the food crisis, which started with a steep rise in the price of wheat, had spread to other parts of the world. To prevent shortage, the Federal Government would release grain from strategic reserves as needed.[13]

On 29 October 2008, President Umaru Yar'Adua sacked 20 members of his cabinet, including Charles Ugwuh.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Yar'Adua names cabinet". Africa News. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  2. ↑ Brady Nwosu (10 March 2007). "IBB is the next President (II)". Daily Sun. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Yemi Adebowale (7 July 2007). "All the president's men". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  4. ↑ "HI-TECH EXPANSION Infrastructure for a new future". SUMMIT COMMUNICATIONS. 14 July 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  5. ↑ Jonathan Egbukole (20 January 2007). "Ugwuh as Imo governor?". Daily Sun. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  6. ↑ Eugenia Okpara (23 April 2007). "Araraume's Loss, Agbaso's Gain". The Source. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  7. ↑ Duro Onabule (4 May 2007). "2007 elections? Nigerians can celebrate". Daily Sun. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  8. ↑ "Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun Meets with Nigerian Minister of Commerce and Industry Ugwuh". Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  9. ↑ Caterina Bortolussi (14 January 2008). "Exclusive interview with Minister of Commerce and Industry". Africa Investment Publishing. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  10. ↑ Omoh Gabriel (5 July 2009). "Dangote Wants Cement Import Banned". Vanguard. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  11. ↑ Ijeoma Nwogwugwu and Crusoe Osagie (2 June 2008). "Dangote Moves to Crash Cement Price". ThisDay. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  12. ↑ Etim Imisim (7 April 2008). "FG to Revive Automobile Industry". ThisDay. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  13. ↑ Omoh Gabriel, Henry Umoru, Lukat Binniyat And Babatunde Jimoh (5 May 2008). "Food Crisis – How Prepared is Nigeria to Tide Over the Crisis?". Vanguard. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  14. ↑ Habeeb I. Pindiga (31 October 2008). "Kazir, Lafiagi May Make New Cabinet". Daily Trust. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
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