Festus Keyamo is a prominent Nigerian lawyer, human rights activist, columnist, and politician. He currently serves as the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, a position he assumed in August 2023. In this blog post, we will explore his life, career, achievements, and challenges.
Early Life and Education
Festus Egwarewa Keyamo was born on January 21, 1970, in Ughelli, a town in Delta State, southern Nigeria. His father, Matthias Keyamo, was a teacher and his mother, Caroline Keyamo, was a trader. He grew up in a modest and religious family, and attended Model Primary School and Government College, Ughelli, for his primary and secondary education respectively.
He developed a passion for law and justice from a young age, and decided to pursue a career in the legal profession. He gained admission into Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, in Edo State, where he studied law and graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1992. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993, and began his legal practice.
Legal Career and Activism
Festus Keyamo started his legal career at the chambers of the late Gani Fawehinmi, a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, who mentored and inspired him. He worked with Fawehinmi for two years, before he left to establish his own law firm, Festus Keyamo Chambers, in 1995.
He quickly rose to prominence as a fearless and outspoken lawyer, who took on several high-profile and controversial cases, often involving human rights violations, corruption, and political oppression. He represented and defended many victims of injustice, such as the leader of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was charged with treasonable felony; the leader of the Movement For The Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, who was also tried for treason; and the family of the slain former Attorney-General of the Federation, Bola Ige, who was assassinated in 2001.
He also challenged the government and the authorities on several occasions, such as when he sued the Federal Government of Nigeria over the illegal appointment of service chiefs in 2008, and when he exposed the corruption and fraud in the fuel subsidy regime in 2012. He was arrested, detained, and harassed several times by the security agencies for his activism, but he never gave up or compromised his principles.
He also used his platform as a columnist and a media personality to educate and enlighten the public on various legal and social issues, and to advocate for good governance, democracy, and human rights. He wrote for several newspapers and magazines, such as The Guardian, The Nation, ThisDay, and Sahara Reporters, and appeared on several radio and television programs, such as Sunrise Daily, Politics Today, and The Platform.
Political Career and Appointments
Festus Keyamo joined politics in 2014, when he became a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party at the time. He contested for the senatorial seat of Delta Central in the 2015 general elections, but lost to the incumbent senator of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He remained loyal and active in the APC, and in 2018, he was appointed as the director of Strategic Communications of the 2019 re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari. He played a vital role in the campaign, as he articulated and defended the policies and achievements of the Buhari administration, and countered the propaganda and criticism of the opposition.
In 2019, he was nominated by President Buhari as one of the ministers of his second term cabinet. He was screened and confirmed by the Senate, and was initially assigned as the minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs. However, in September 2019, he was redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, where he served as the minister of State until May 2023.
In August 2023, he was appointed as the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development by President Bola Tinubu, who succeeded Buhari after the latter’s death in office. He is currently overseeing the development and regulation of the aviation and aerospace sector in Nigeria, as well as the implementation of the national space program.
Personal Life and Family
Festus Keyamo is married to Isioma Irene Keyamo, whom he wedded in 2004 in Benin City. They have two children, a son and a daughter, named Festus Keyamo Jnr. and Nicole Keyamo. He is a devout Christian, and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
He is also a philanthropist, who supports various causes and charities, especially those related to education, health, and empowerment. He runs the Festus Keyamo Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides scholarships, legal aid, and humanitarian assistance to the less privileged.
Awards and Recognition
Festus Keyamo has received several awards and recognition for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession, human rights, and public service. Some of them include:
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), conferred by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee in 2017.
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), conferred by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, in 2017.
Global Human Rights Award, conferred by the United States Global Leadership Council in Washington, DC, in 2017.
Defender of the Masses Award, conferred by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, in 2013.
Most Outstanding Human Rights Lawyer in Nigeria Award, conferred by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, in 2009.
Gani Fawehinmi Annual Award for Integrity, conferred by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in 2008.
Festus Keyamo Net Worth
According to some online sources, Festus Keyamo’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. However, there is no reliable third-party wealth estimator to confirm or dispute this
Festus Keyamo is a Nigerian lawyer, activist, and minister who has been involved in many legal and political cases. He currently serves as the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria
Controversy And Activism Of Festus Keyamo
Festus Keyamo is a Nigerian lawyer, activist, and minister who has been involved in many controversies and causes throughout his career. Some of them are:
He challenged the autocratic regime of Sani Abacha in the 1990s, and defended many pro-democracy activists who were arrested and tortured by the military government
He exposed the corruption and fraud in the fuel subsidy regime in 2012, and sued the Federal Government for failing to prosecute the culprits
He represented and defended the leaders of the Niger-Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force and the Movement For The Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, who were charged with treason for agitating for self-determination
He was accused of being a traitor and a sellout by some of his former allies and critics, when he joined the All Progressives Congress and became the spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign in 2019
He clashed with the National Assembly over the implementation of the Special Public Works Program, a job creation initiative of the Federal Government, and accused some lawmakers of trying to hijack the process
Festus Keyamo is a man of courage and conviction, who has shown his passion for justice, human rights, and good governance in Nigeria. He is also a man of controversy, who has faced criticism, opposition, and persecution for his views and actions. He is a role model and an inspiration to many Nigerians, especially the young generation, who aspire to make a difference in their chosen fields
Conclusion
Festus Keyamo is a remarkable Nigerian, who has made a positive impact in the society through his legal career, activism, and political service. He is a role model and an inspiration to many Nigerians, especially the young generation, who aspire to make a difference in their chosen fields. He is a man of integrity, courage, and excellence, who has proven that with hard work, dedication, and passion, one can achieve great heights and success.
