Festus Keyamo
{{Short description|Nigerian lawyer and politician (born 1970)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Festus Keyamo
|honorific_suffix = SAN, FCIArb
|image = Festus Keyamo at Mojeec International 2020 08.jpg
|caption = Keyamo in October 2020
|office = Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
|president = Bola Tinubu
|term_start = 21 August 2023
|term_end =
|predecessor = Hadi Sirika
|successor =
|office1 = Minister of State for Labour and Employment
|president1 = Muhammadu Buhari
|minister1 = Chris Ngige
|term_start1 = 24 September 2019
|term_end1 = 29 May 2023
|predecessor1 = Stephen Ocheni
|successor1 = Nkiruka Onyejeocha
|birth_name = Festus Egwarewa Keyamo
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|01|21}}
|birth_place = Ughelli, Mid-Western Region (now Delta State), Nigeria
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = All Progressives Congress
|nationality = Nigerian
|citizenship = Nigeria
|occupation = {{hlist|Politician|lawyer|activist}}
|parents =
|known_for = Human rights activism
}}
Festus Egwarewa Keyamo (born 21 January 1970) is a Nigerian lawyer, columnist and human rights activist who serves as the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/175521-interview-president-jonathan-joke-festus-keyamo.html|title=Interview: President Jonathan is a joke - Festus Keyamo|last=Abimboye|first=Micheal|date=24 January 2015|work=Premium Times|access-date=23 February 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://saharareporters.com/2015/01/18/keyamo-explodes-between-jonathan-versus-buhari-here-president-who-destroyed-pdp-and|title=Keyamo Explodes: Between Jonathan Versus Buhari - Here Is A President Who Destroyed PDP And Almost Destroyed Nigeria|last=Keyamo|first=Festus|date=18 January 2015|agency=Sahara Reporters|access-date=23 February 2015}} In April 2018, Keyamo was appointed as the director of Strategic Communications of the 2019 re-election bid of President Buhari{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/keyamo-appointed-spokesman-buharis-2019-campaign/|title=Keyamo appointed spokesman for Buhari's 2019 campaign|work=Vanguard|date=17 April 2018|access-date=2 September 2024}}and later appointed minister of State for Labour and Employment.{{cite web|last=Anyanwu|first=Samuel|date=21 May 2024|title=Festus Keyamo meets counterparts from State of Qatar and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Ongoing Future Aviation Forum (FAF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia|url=https://fmino.gov.ng/festus-keyamo-meets-counterparts-from-state-of-qatar-and-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-at-the-ongoing-future-aviation-forum-faf-in-riyadh-saudi-arabia/|access-date=25 August 2024|publisher=Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation}}{{cite web|last=Yusuff|first=Sodiq|date=7 February 2024|title=The Insider: Keyamo under pressure from fellow Buhari's ex-ministers over aviation sector probe|url=https://www.thecable.ng/the-insider-keyamo-under-pressure-from-fellow-buharis-ex-ministers-over-aviation-sector-probe/|access-date=25 August 2024|website=TheCable}}
Early life
He was born on 21 January 1970, at Ughelli, a town in Delta State, Southern Nigeria but his father hails from Effurun, a city in Delta.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thesourceng.com/coverstoryFebruary82010.htm|title="I'm Not Afraid to Die"|magazine=The Source|volume=26|issue=16|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025324/http://www.thesourceng.com/coverstoryFebruary82010.htm|url-status=dead}}
Keyamo had his primary education at Model Primary School and secondary education at Government College, Ughelli, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1986.{{cite news|url=http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=80420|title=Festus Keyamo: Dad disgraced me for inviting girls to our house|date=6 September 2014|access-date=27 February 2015|work=The Sun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223232643/http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=80420|archive-date=23 February 2015}} He later proceeded to Ambrose Alli University at Ekpoma, in Edo State southern Nigeria where he received a Bachelor of Law degree in 1992 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993.{{cite web|url=http://thenigerianvoice.com/news/113741/1/delta-2015-between-festus-keyamo-and-other-contest.html|title=DELTA 2015: BETWEEN FESTUS KEYAMO AND OTHER CONTESTANTS|work=The Nigerian Voice|access-date=23 February 2015}}{{cite news|date=21 August 2019|title=Fof the Record: Official citations of Buhari's ministers, SGF|work=Premium Times|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/347874-for-the-record-official-citations-of-buharis-ministers-sgf.html|access-date=30 June 2022}}
Legal career
He began his legal career in 1993 at Gani Fawehinmi's Chambers in Lagos State,{{cite news|date=21 August 2019|title=Meet Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs|last=Ochayi|first=Chris|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/profile-of-festus-keyamo/|access-date=2 September 2024|work=Vanguard}} southwestern Nigeria.
After he spent two years at Gani Fawehinmi's chambers, he left to establish Festus Keyamo Chambers.{{cite web|url=http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/main-square/28472-re-your-troubling-silence-festus-keyamo-responds-3.html|title=[General] Re-Your Troubling Silence-Festus Keyamo Responds - Page 3|work=Village Square Forum|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023427/http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/main-square/28472-re-your-troubling-silence-festus-keyamo-responds-3.html|url-status=dead}}
He was counsel to the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples' Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari in his trial for treasonable felony and lead counsel in the treason trial of Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of the Movement For The Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).{{cite web|url=https://www.africa-confidential.com/index.aspx?pageid=118&whoswhoid=2673|title=Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo|work=Africa Confidential|access-date=2 September 2024}}
Keyamo was also a counsel in the murder of Bola Ige.{{cite news|date=16 February 2014|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/keyamo-omisore-should-seek-god-s-forgiveness-over-ige-murder-case/171477/|title=Keyamo: Omisore Should Seek God's Forgiveness over Ige Murder Case|work=This Day|access-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223133408/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/keyamo-omisore-should-seek-god-s-forgiveness-over-ige-murder-case/171477/|archive-date=23 February 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.punchng.com/opinion/who-killed-uncle-bola-ige/|title=Who killed Uncle Bola Ige?|work=The Punch|access-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104134716/http://www.punchng.com/opinion/who-killed-uncle-bola-ige/|archive-date=4 January 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/comment-debate/6376-who-will-call-keyamo-to-order|title=Who will call Keyamo to order?|work=Daily Trust|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223133613/https://dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/comment-debate/6376-who-will-call-keyamo-to-order|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead}}
In 2008, he took the Federal Government of Nigeria to court over illegal appointments of service chiefs.{{cite news|url=https://newsdiaryonline.com/court-declares-appointment-of-service-chiefs-illegal/|title=Court Declares Appointment Of Service Chiefs Illegal|work=News Diary|access-date=23 February 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-is-promoting-corruption-keyamo/|last=Akinkuotu|first=Eniola|title=Jonathan is promoting corruption —Keyamo|work=The Punch|access-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228154248/http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-is-promoting-corruption-keyamo/|archive-date=28 February 2015}}
In 2017, Stephanie Otobo, a Canadian-based singer and stripper, accused Apostle Suleman Johnson, through her lawyer Festus Keyamo, of failing to keep a marriage promise made to her after allegedly having several sexual relationships with her.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/225832-sex-scandal-apostle-suleiman-keyamo-war-words-stephanie-otobo.html|last=Ezeamalu|first=Ben|title=Sex Scandal: Apostle Suleiman, Keyamo in war of words over Stephanie Otobo|work=Premium Times|date=11 March 2017|access-date=2 September 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/03/11/apostle-johnson-sulemans-manhood-average-size-good-bed-stephanie-otobo-alleges/|last=Opejobi|first=Seun|title=Apostle Johnson Suleman's manhood is average size but he is very good in bed - Stephanie Otobo alleges|date=11 March 2017|work=Daily Post|access-date=2 September 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://dailypost.ng/2017/03/10/apostle-johnson-suleman-exposed-private-part-stephanie-skype%e2%80%8e-festus-keyamo-alleges/|last=Godwin|first=Ameh Comrade|title=Apostle Johnson Suleman exposed his private part to Stephanie on Skype - Festus Keyamo alleges|date=10 March 2017|work=Daily Post|access-date=2 September 2024}}
Political appointments
Festus was among the nominated ministers of the second administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.{{cite news|date=23 July 2019|title=Buhari New Ministers List 2019 |url=https://sharinglifeissues.com.ng/buharis-ministers-and-their-portfolios/|access-date=6 August 2019|work=Daily News}}
After his nomination, he was equally screened by the senate.{{cite news|url=https://punchng.com/ministerial-screening-drama-as-melaye-tells-keyamo-to-recite-national-anthem/|last=Aborisade|first=Sunday|title=Ministerial screening: Drama as Melaye tells Keyamo to recite national anthem|work=The Punch|access-date=2 September 2024}} Until 24 September 2019, Keyamo was appointed Nigeria's Minister of State, for Niger Delta, before he was redeployed to Ministry of Labour and Employment{{cite web|url=https://www.fellowpress.com/news/61634/breaking-buhari-redeploys-festus-keyamo-alasoadura-to-labour-niger-delta/|title=Breaking: Buhari redeploys Festus Keyamo, Alasoadura to labour, Niger Delta|date=24 September 2019|website=Fellow Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924222020/https://www.fellowpress.com/news/61634/breaking-buhari-redeploys-festus-keyamo-alasoadura-to-labour-niger-delta/|archive-date=24 September 2019|access-date=24 September 2019|url-status=dead}} by President Muhammadu Buhari barely a month after his initial appointment on 21 August 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/347812-breaking-buhari-assigns-portfolios-to-new-ministers.html|last=Ayitogo|first=Nasir|title=Buhari assigns portfolios to new ministers|date=21 August 2019|access-date=2 September 2024|work=Premium Times}} Following several calls from some political commentators as to why he didn't make both the first and second ministerial lists, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded Keyamo's name to the Senate on 4 August 2023 as a ministerial nominee for confirmation.{{cite news|date=4 August 2023|title=Tinubu nominates Keyamo as minister, withdraws Kano nominee|work=Premium Times|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/614183-just-in-tinubu-nominates-keyamo-as-minister-withdraws-kano-nominee.html|last=Ogundapo|first=Abdulqudus|access-date=2 September 2024}}
He was made minister of aviation and aerospace development by president Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023{{cite news|last=Tolu-Kolawole|first=Deborah|date=16 August 2023|title=Full list of ministers and designations|url=https://punchng.com/full-list-of-ministers-and-designations/|access-date=17 August 2023|work=The Punch}}
Awards and recognitions
Keyamo was named by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), Nigeria in July 2017 as one of the outstanding Nigerian lawyers to be awarded the rank of SAN. Festus is now in Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet. Keyamo and others named on the 2017 SAN-list were inaugurated into the elevated league of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/07/06/committee-announces-keyamo-29-others-senior-advocates-of-nigeria/|title=Committee Announces Keyamo, 29 Others Senior Advocates of Nigeria|work=P.M. News|date=|access-date=6 July 2017}} In 2017, Keyamo was also awarded the Global Human Rights Award by the United States Global Leadership Council in Washington for his efforts over the years in respect of protection and promotion of human rights and campaigning for accountable governments in Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/high-society/festus-keyamo-gets-human-rights-award-in-us/|title=Festus Keyamo gets human rights award in US|last=Akinwale|first=Funsho|date=16 December 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 September 2024}} The former president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari awarded Festus Keyamo and 338 others in the 2023 of the national award.{{cite news|title=Buhari Confers Special National Honours on 340 Nigerians, Bestows GCON on Anyaoku|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/05/28/buhari-confers-special-national-honours-on-340-nigerians-bestows-gcon-on-anyaoku|access-date=7 July 2023|work=This Day}}{{cite news|date=28 May 2023|title=Buhari Confers National Honours On Anyaoku, Akande, Emefiele, Keyamo, Osoba, Others|url=https://championnews.com.ng/buhari-confers-national-honours-on-anyaoku-akande-emefiele-kenyamo-osoba-others/|access-date=7 July 2023|work=Daily Champion}}
See also
{{Portal|Biography|Africa}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
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Category:People from Delta State