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Diepreye Alamieyeseigha: Nigerian Air Force Officer and Former Governor
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was a Nigerian Air Force officer and politician who served as the Governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 to 2005. He was born on November 16, 1952, in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and died on October 10, 2015, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Alamieyeseigha had a distinguished military career, with a long list of military records and reputations.
Early Life and Education
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was raised in a humble family in Amassoma, Bayelsa State. He attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and later joined the Nigerian Air Force in 1974. Alamieyeseigha also attended several military courses, including the Junior Division Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the Senior Division Staff Course at the same institution.
Military Career
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha started his military career as a pilot in the Nigerian Air Force. He rose through the ranks to become a Squadron Leader and was appointed the Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State in 1996. Alamieyeseigha was later appointed the Military Administrator of Bayelsa State in 1998, a position he held until 1999 when he retired from the military.
Political Career
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha joined politics after his retirement from the military. He contested and won the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State in 1999, becoming the first civilian governor of the state. He was re-elected in 2003 but was impeached in 2005 on charges of corruption and money laundering.
Personal Life
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was married and had children. He was known to be a private person and kept his personal life away from the public eye. Alamieyeseigha was also known to be a lover of luxury cars and had a collection of expensive cars. He also owned several properties, including a mansion in Abuja.
Net Worth
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. In Nigerian Naira, his net worth is approximately ₦6 billion. In Canadian dollars, his net worth is around CAD 19.5 million, while in Ghanaian cedi, it is around GHS 84 million. In Kenyan shillings, his net worth is around KES 1.65 billion, while in South African rand, it is around ZAR 210 million. In Ugandan shillings, his net worth is around UGX 54 billion, while in Indian rupees, it is around INR 1,110 crore.
Awards and Nominations
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha received several awards and decorations throughout his military and political career. Some of these include the Grand Service Star, the Defence Service Medal, the General Service Medal, and the Pass Staff Course Dagger. He was also awarded the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.
Overall, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha had a distinguished military and political career, with a long list of military records and reputations. Despite his impeachment and legal troubles, he remains a significant figure in Nigerian politics and history.