Francis Alimikhena

Alimikhena was born in Igiode area of Etsako East local government area in Edo state on 20 September 1947. He was born into a strong catholic Christian home and grew up with a strong Christian principle.{{cite web|title=Alimikhena, Sen Francis Asekhame|url=https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/alimikhena-major-francis-asekhame-rtd/|date=2016-11-07|publisher=Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation|access-date=2020-05-28}}

He joined the Nigerian Army as a commissioned officer in 1972. He was later commissioned as a lieutenant in 1982 and then held the position of Adjutant, Army Garrison between 1985 and 1989 and later promoted a Major in 1992. Alimikhena was awarded the Forces Service Star (FSS) in 1999. An honour meant for service Officers who have served the Army without blemish. Other positions held are Senior Officer (finance): Nigerian Army School of Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigerian Army Pension Board and Army Petroleum Trust Fund between 1999 and 2000. He retired from the Army a Major in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://solidgoldproperties.com.ng/team/|title=Our Team|website=SolidGate properties|access-date=2017-02-01}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Alimikhena started his education at Saint Thomas Secondary Modern School, and left in 1981. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom to study Law. He earned a Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) in 2003 and was later called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.{{cite web|title=Francis Alimikhena|url=https://www.nassnig.org/mp/profile/511|website=NASS|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222205657/https://www.nassnig.org/mp/profile/511|archive-date=2017-02-22|url-status=dead}}

Alimikhena is an astute business man and philanthropist. He currently seat on the board of so many companies. He is currently the chairman of Falzal group of companies, Vice Chairman of Solidgate properties, Managing partner at FA Alimikhena & Co (Global Chambers) and also was the President of Anthony BBC between 1994 and 1997.{{cite web|title=Board & Management|url=https://www.arsgroupng.com/?/page/board-management/|website=ARS Group|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205162627/https://www.arsgroupng.com/?/page/board-management/|archive-date=2017-02-05|url-status=dead}}

His philanthropic work within the Catholic church family also gave him the honour of the certificate of the Mariam queen of the universe shrine in Orlando Florida, United States also Pope Benedict XVI honoured him with the papal knight of Saint Gregory the great.{{cite news|last=Atu|first=Benjamin|title=Legacies And Legendary of Francis Alimikhena: Edo North Senator Elect|url=https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/178053/1/legacies-and-legendary-of-francis-alimikhena-edo-n.html|access-date=2017-02-01|work=The Nigerian Voice}}{{cite news|title=Saraki Eulogies Senator Alimikhena|url=http://nigerianpilot.com/saraki-euolgises-edo-north-senator/|access-date=2017-02-01|publisher=Nigerian Pilot}} He is also a member of Knight of Saint Mulumba (KSM) and was given a respected traditional title as the OKHASO of wappa Wanno Kingdom by the Afemai people.

In 2007, Alimikhena joined politics by contesting for the Edo North senatorial seat under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party but lost. He later contested in 2011 for the same senatorial post but lost again. Thereafter, he defected to the All Progressives Congress and contested for the same senatorial seat in 2015 and won, after polling a total of 86,021 to beat his closest rival Pascal Ugbome of the People's Democratic Party who polled 66,062 votes.{{cite news|last=Cassius|first=Lamai|title=Edo North: INEC declares Alimikhena, Akpatason winners|url=https://nigerianobservernews.com/2015/03/edo-north-inec-declares-alimikhena-akpatason-winners/#.WJH6b_krK1s|access-date=2017-02-01|work=The Nigerian Observer}}

On 19 December 2014, Alimikhena emerged as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a heated party primary election at Edo state.{{cite news|title=As Alimikhena Picks Edo North Senatorial APC Ticket|last=Cassius|first=Lamai|url=https://nigerianobservernews.com/2014/12/as-alimikhena-picks-edo-north-senatorial-apc-ticket/|access-date=2024-09-19|work=The Nigerian Observers}}

Alimikhena was elected to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the All Progressives Congress candidate from Edo North in March 2015.{{cite web|title=Know your lawmakers: Incoming senators of the 8th NASS|url=https://nationalmirroronline.net/new/know-your-lawmakers-incoming-senators-of-the-8th-nass/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612002207/https://nationalmirroronline.net/new/know-your-lawmakers-incoming-senators-of-the-8th-nass/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=12 June 2015|website=National Mirror|access-date=2017-02-01}} He won the election with 86,021 votes. He was sworn in as a senator on 6 June 2015. Alimikena was the only elected All Progressives Congress senator in the entire South South and South Eastern part of Nigeria in 2015 general election.

He ran for the position of Deputy Senate President in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/334162-im-still-in-race-for-deputy-senate-president-alimikhena.html|title=I'm still in race for Deputy Senate President - Alimikhena|work=Premium Times|date=9 June 2019|access-date=2024-09-19}}

Alimikhena has sponsored several bills{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} in the Senate:

1. Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrar (est., etc.) Bill 2015 (SB. 25){{cite web|publisher=National Assembly, Nigeria|url=https://nass.gov.ng/document/download/7681|title=Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Order Paper|date=2015-10-06|access-date=2018-06-30}}
2. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of Environmental Managers Registration Council of Nigeria to provide for Code of Conduct, Professional Ethics and Stipulation of Minimum Standards and for other related matters, 2016 (S.B. 88){{cite web|last=Duru|first=Osita|title=Senate Proceedings for Tuesday 29th November 2016|url=https://www.authorityngr.com/2016/11/SENATE-PROCEEDINGS-FOR-TUESDAY-29TH-NOVEMBER-2016/|website=Authority|access-date=2017-02-01}}
3. Agricultural Processing Zones Establishing Bill 2016{{cite web|last=Ogunmade|first=Omololu|title=Bill|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/11/10/senate-repeals-58-year-old-colonial-customs-act-to-enhance-efficiency/|work=This Day|date=10 November 2016|access-date=2017-02-01}}
4. Establishment of national commission for persons with disabilities (SB22){{cite web|last=Mudashir|first=Ismaila|title=Senate's 3 bills in 7 months|url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/senate-s-3-bills-in-7-months/127801.html|work=Daily Trust|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212004221/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/senate-s-3-bills-in-7-months/127801.html|archive-date=2016-02-12|url-status=dead}}

In the 25 February 2023, Edo North senatorial district National Assembly election, he was defeated by Adams Oshiomhole.

Amid the 21 September 2024 poll, Francis Alimikhena dumped Peoples Democratic Party, and rejoined All Progressives Congress,{{cite news|url=https://punchng.com/alimikhena-dumps-pdp-rejoins-apc-ahead-of-edo-poll/|last=Adedipe|first=Adeyinka|title=Alimikhena dumps PDP, rejoins APC ahead of Edo poll|work=The Punch|date=14 September 2024|access-date=2024-09-19}}{{cite news|url=https://newtelegraphng.com/edo-poll-alimikhena-dumps-pdp-rejoins-apc/|last=Nnoli|first=Miriam|title=Edo Poll: Alimikhena Dumps PDP, Rejoins APC|work=New Telegraph|date=14 September 2024|access-date=2024-09-19}} despite accusing them of "injustice" two years ago.{{cite news|url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/05/28/2023-senator-francis-alimikhena-dumps-apc-cites-injustice/|last=Nwachukwu|first=John Owen|title=2023: Senator Francis Alimikhena dumps APC, cites 'injustice'|work=Daily Trust|date=28 May 2022|access-date=2024-09-19}}

Senator Alimikhena is married to Lady Alimikhena and blessed with children.{{cite news|url=https://nigerianobservernews.com/2015/05/auchi-poly-staffs-daughter-marrys-rectors-son/|title=Auchi Poly Staff's Daughter {{sic|Marr|y's|hide=y}} Rector's Son|last=Cassius|first=Lamai|date=2015-05-13|work=The Nigerian Observer|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203082934/https://nigerianobservernews.com/2015/05/auchi-poly-staffs-daughter-marrys-rectors-son/|archive-date=2017-02-03|url-status=dead}}

• Member, Nigerian bar association (NBA)
• Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
• Member, IBB Lagos golf club Ikeja
• Member, Usagbe club of Nigeria

• Building of Igiode Primary school
• Functional health center in Igiode
• Functional boreholes in Igiode{{cite web|url=https://www.politiciansdata.com/content/alimikhena-asekhame-francis/|title=Alimikhena Asekhame Francis Biography and Detailed Profile|date=2018-09-03|access-date=2024-09-19}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Nigerian Senators of the 8th National Assembly}}

{{Nigerian Senators of the 9th National Assembly}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alimikhena, Francis}}

Category:1947 births

Category:Living people

Category:Edo State politicians

Category:All Progressives Congress politicians

Category:Senators of the 9th National Assembly (Nigeria)

Category:Senators of the 8th National Assembly (Nigeria)

Category:Nigerian Christians

Category:Alumni of the University of Buckingham

Category:Nigerian Law School alumni

Category:Knights of St. Gregory the Great