Profile
Donald Duke was the Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is the presidential candidate under the flagship of the social democratic party (SDP). He received an LLB degree in 1982 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – Nigeria, the B.L in 1983 from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and the L.L.M. in Business Law and Admiralty in 1984 from University of Pennsylvania.
Personal Life
Duke is happily married to Owanari Bob Manuel Duke, an accomplished Legal Practitioner in her own right. They are blessed with three children. He also plays Jazz music and holds concerts.
Education
| Name of School | Degree | Year |
| Corona School, Lagos | ||
| Saint Mary School, Lagos | ||
| Federal Government School, Sokoto & ilorin | Secondary School Education | |
| Federal School of Arts and Science, Lagos | A levels | |
| Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | LLB Degree | 1982 |
| Nigerian Law School | B. Law | 1983 |
| University of Pennsylvania | L.L.M. in Business Law and Admiralty | 1984 |
Work History
Associate at Washington DC Law firm of Baker & Hostetler.
Partner at Onyia and Duke.
Chief Executive Officer of Hegeds International Limited.
Chairman of Allied Merchants & Brokers Limited, a sole Africa Franchisee for US-based Uncle Ben’s Rice.
DD
Calabar
30 September 1961
Cross – River State
PDP Peoples Democratic Party
Christian
Governor of Cross River State
Political History
Cross River State Executive Council and Commissioner for Finance, Budget and planning in 1991.
Governor of Cross-River State
Duke in 1996 emerged at the national scene when he was appointed as a member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee as well as the Federal Economic Council.
He later served as a member of the Federal Budget Monitoring Committee and Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Privatization of the National Fertilizer Company Limited (NAFCON).
Donald Duke was on 9th January, 1999 elected for a four year term as Governor of Cross river State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (1999 -2004).
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
Project
Major Projects:
Donald duke developed tourism and secured urban development in Calabar. As a result, calabar is now seen as the “cleanest city in Nigeria”. He created the idea of the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race and the race grew to become one of the most lucrative mountain running competitions in the world under his stewardship.
Other Projects:
Duke has been praised for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, government, environment, information and communication, investment drive, and tourism.
Donald Duke initiated the Tinapa Resort project as a way to boost business and tourism in the state.
Duke gave Cross River State a legacy with the Calabar Carnival which he started in 2004 and popularly referred to as “Africa’s biggest street party.