Profile
Benson Ocholuje Abounu is the current Deputy Governor of Benue State, under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom. He is an engineer, administrator and management consultant by profession.
Personal Life
He was born on 20th June 1962 to the family of Pa Jime Tsav of Anter in Mbalagh Council Ward of Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. His father was a police officer. Jime is married to Comfort Jime (nee Oklobia) and they have three children: Emmanuella, Emmanuel and Cynthia. He is a devout Christian of the Catholic faith.
Education
| School | Qualification | Year |
| Ashridge Management College, England | 1989 | |
| University of Ibadan, Oyo State | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 1980-1984 |
| Cranfield University, Bedford, England | M.Sc Industrial Engineering and Administration | 1976-1978 |
| Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State | Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | 1971-1973 |
| Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State | Diploma in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering | 1971-1973 |
| Government College, Makurdi, Benue State
Government Technical College, Ilorin, Kwara State |
Secondary School Leaving Certificate | 1964-1966;
1967-1969 |
| Methodist Primary School, Upu-Icho, Otukpo, Benue State | First School Leaving Certificate | 1957-1963 |
Work History
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Nigerian Television Authority | Chairman, Board of Directors | 2009-2011 |
| Nigeria Coal Corporation, Enugu State | Executive Director | 1990-1991 |
| Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos, Plateau State | Sole Administrator and Chief Executive Officer | 1990 |
| Abounu Benson and Company, Chartered Engineers and Management Consultants | Principal Partner/Founder | 1990 |
| NAL Merchant Bank Plc, Lagos State | Director | 1986-1990 |
| Okin Bottling Company Ltd., Kaduna State | General Manager | 1982-1988 |
| Nigeria Breweries, Lagos State | Technical Manager | 1979-1980 |
| Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., Newport Pagnell, England | Trainee | 1977 |
| John Holt Group Agricultural Engineers, Zaria, Kaduna State | Manager-In Training
Production Manager |
1975-1976 |
Otukpo, Benue State
July 3rd, 1949
Benue State
People’s Democratic Party
Christianity
Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment (1999-2003)
Deputy Governor, Benue State (since 2015)
Political History
Abounu got into politics by contesting for governor of Benue State on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Although he did not win, he got the opportunity to serve as the Special Adviser to Governor Moses Adasu from 1992 to 1993.
Following the military takeover in 1993, he returned to private practice until 1999 when he was appointed by Governor George Akume, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment. In August 2003, he was re-appointed to the Ministry of Solid Minerals, where he served till June 2005.
Abounu contested in the 2015 Benue gubernatorial elections as the running mate of Samuel Ortom, under the flagship of All Progressives Congress. They emerged winners, leading Abounu to be sworn in as the Deputy Governor of Benue State in May 2015.
In 2018, when Governor Samuel Ortom defected from All Progressives Congress to People’s Democratic Party, Abounu moved with him – and they were both re-elected in March 2019 for a second term.
He will be retiring from his current position as the deputy governor of Benue State in the 2023 election
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2021 Distinguished Merit Award (in recognition of vast experience in engineering, leadership and administration) by The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- 2015 International Ambassador for Peace Award conferred by the Coalition of Civil Society Organization, Benue State Chapter
Project
- Facilitated the construction of 100kms of roads
- Facilitated the enforcement of flood control measures in big cities in Benue State
- Supply of water from Otobi to Otukpo using big pipes for linkage
- Construction of dams at Emichi, Okpomaji and Adum East in Obi LGA
- Influenced the asphalting of roads at Otukpo and the construction of the Otukpicho road
