Adams Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole Biography / Profile

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole was born on April 4th, 1952 in Iyamho, near Auchi in Etsako West local government area of Edo State, Nigeria.

Adams Oshiomhole Age

Adams Oshiomhole is 72 years old.

Adams Oshiomhole Early Life

Oshiomhole grew up in Edo State with his mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole. After completing his primary and secondary school education, he got a job with the Arewa Textiles Company, where he was elected union secretary. Within a short time , he was appointed as the full-time trade union organizer that was in the year 1975 precisely. He studied at Ruskin College, Oxford in the United Kingdom where he majored in economics and industrial relations. After bagging his degree at Ruskin College, he proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

Adams Oshiomhole Career

Oshiomhole was appointed General Secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria in the year 1982, as at that time the union has a work force of 75,000 workers. Following the restoration of democracy in 1999, he was appointed as the new president of the Nigerian Labour Congress. During the early hour of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he pushed a motion and negotiated a 25% wage increase for public sector workers. In return he publicly supported Obasanjo and endorsed his candidacy when he was re-elected in 2003. Oshiomhole was re-elected as the General Secretary of The Textile union, whilst he continued as president of the NLC.

The enviable friendship that existed between him and Obasanjo became sour due to the neglect of local oil refineries led to reliance on imported gasoline, followed by rises in the price of fuel. In retaliation to this latest development , Oshiomhole led strikes and demonstrations against the increases. Thing become very rough for the two as Obasanjo wanted to show him that he is still the president who has final say over the running of the country, he was wanted for arrest, tear gas started flying everywhere and union offices was blocked .

On October 9th, 2004, The NLC made an official report that Oshiomhole was abducted by State Security Services alse known as SSS during a protest, but the Nigerian government say he submitted to voluntary custody. Oshiomhole also represented African Workers for two terms on the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), serving on the committee on Freedom of Association. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Looking at the international level, Oshiomhole was a member of the committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labour Organization. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). He is a patroitic Nigerian who has represented on so many places and organistions.

Oshiomhole ran for Governor of Edo State under the Action Congress Party in the April 2007 Governorship election after seeking alliance from his Labour Party. He contested against Oserheimen Osunbor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who was initially declared the winner. The table turned around on the 20th of March 2008, when an Edo State election tribunal nullified the election of Oserheimen Osunbor and declared Oshiomhole the winner. A federal Appeal Court sitting in Benin City upheld the ruling of the state’s elections petitions tribunal, declaring Oshiomole to be the Governor of Edo State.

Oshiomhole is a man of his word and he is loved by the people, they listen attentively to him when he addresses the public. Nigerians follow him whenever and wherever he has marched. The former Governor of Edo state has had his fair share of controversies, In 2012 he was involved in a séx scandal mess after a photo circulated online, it was later revealed the photo was a Photoshop. But only God knows the truth.

In 2014, Adams Oshiomhole became a target for criticism after he publicly insulted a widow, Joy Ifije, who knelt before him begging for her little means of livelihood to be saved. He said the widowed woman should “go and die”. However, later he apologized to the widow, donated N2 million to her, offered her employment and promised to help her second child in getting education.

Oshiomhole has served the nation in various capacities. Among these are:
Member, Salaries and Wages Commission, 1991-1994
Member, Vision 2010 Committee, 1996-1997
Member, National Council of Nigerian Vision [NCNV], 1997 – to date
Member, Constitutional Debate Co-ordinating Committee
Member, National Council on Privatisation 1999-Date
Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund 2000-2004
Member, Board of Directors, Trustfund Pension PLC
Chairman, National Anti-AIDS Campaign, 2001-2002

His responsibilities at international level include:
President, Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa, OTUWA, 2000 to 2004
Member, Executive Board, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions [ICFTU] 2000-Date
Member, Executive Board, International Confederation of Trade Unions, African Regional Organization [ICFTU-AFRO] 2001-Date
Member, Governing Body, International Labour Organisation June 2002 till dat
In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with the traditional title of Omo’kpanabiewho (One man like a nation) of Auchi kingdom. He has also been honoured by organisations of Nigerians across all walks of life, including students unions, trade unions, professional bodies, humanitarian groups and religious bodies.

Adams Oshiomhole Personal Life

Oshiomhole lost his wife Clara Oshiomhole to breast cancer and married a foreign woman named Lara Fortes, a young model from cape vades. His late wife gave him three children - Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, Steve Oshiomhole, and Jane Oshiomhole, before she passed. He tied the knot with his current wife, a young charming model in May 2015 . Oshiomhole was born into a Muslim family but was led to Christianity by his late wife Clara who died of cancer aged 54. He is Catholic and his Christian name is Eric.

Adams Oshiomhole Awards

Oshiomhole was declared Man of the Year in the Year 2000 by the Punch newspaper, in recognition of the immensity of his contributions to popular struggles. The Guardian and Newswatch Magazine also named him Man of the Year 2005.