Grace Ekpiwhre (4 January 1949) is career civil servant who retired in 2007. She was appointed by President Umaru Yar'Adua as Nigeria's Minister of Science and Technology in July 2007, and then became Minister of State Works, Housing and Urban Development in December 2008.[1]

Grace Ekpiwhre
Minister of Science and Technology
In office
27 July 2007 – 17 December 2008
Preceded byIsoun Turner
Succeeded byAlhassan Bako Zaku
Minister of State Works, Housing and Urban Development
Assumed office
17 December 2008
Preceded byHalima Tayo Alao
Personal details
Born4 January 1949
Ethiope West, Delta State, Nigeria

Early life and education

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Grace Ekpiwhre was born on 4 January 1949 in the village of Ikweghwu in Agharho, in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. She grew up in a village called Ovu Inland in Ethiope West, Delta State. She attended Our Lady of Apostle College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State between (1962-1966), and Federal Government College Warri (1967-1968). She attended the University of Lagos, graduating with a BSc Zoology in June 1972.[2]

Career

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Her first job was with the Bendel State civil service as Fisheries Officer Grade II. She moved up through the ranks, holding positions that included Director General of Women's Affairs and Director General of Government Parastatals. She became a Permanent Secretary in 1999, at one time in charge of Housing. She was appointed Head of Civil Service, Delta State in 2002, and Chairman, Civil Service Commission in 2007.[1][3]

Political appointments

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Grace Ekpiwhre was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in July 2007.[4] After a cabinet reshuffle in December 2008, she was appointed Minister of State Works, Housing and Urban Development.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b KEMI ASHEFON (November 8, 2009). "Being a minister doesn't make me superior to other women – Grace Ekpiwhre". The Punch. Retrieved 2009-12-22.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs) Grace Ekpiwhre JP, mni". Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  3. ^ "Grace Ekpiwhre". AfDevInfo. Archived from the original on 2010-04-10. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  4. ^ "Yar'Adua names cabinet". Africa News. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  5. ^ Nosike Ogbuenyi, Abimbola Akosile and Sufuyan Ojeifo (19 December 2008). "Yar'Adua Renews His Mission". ThisDay. Retrieved 2009-12-17.