David Sabo Kente

Chief
David Sabo Kente
Born (1965-03-03) 3 March 1965 (age 59)
Kente, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
EducationAccountancy (BSc)
Business administration (MBA)
Alma materAhmadu Bello University
Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola
Occupation(s)Businessman, politician
Political partyAll Progressives Congress
SpouseEsther Sabo Kente

David Sabo Kente, popularly known as DSK (born 3 March 1965) is a Nigerian businessman, politician and philanthropist who is the founder and CEO of "DSK Group International Ltd" and the NGO "DSK Foundation".[1][2] He was the candidate of SDP in the 2015 Taraba State Gubernatorial election before he joined the All Progressives Congress in 2016.[3] He has once served as the National Assembly's director of finance. He is currently a member of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and the chairman Board of Trustees of the Northeast Development Education Endowment Fund.[4][5]

Early life and education

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David Sabo Kente was born on 3 March 1965, in Kente to the family of Sabo Ezeuhwe Kente who was the "Uhwe'Kenten of Kente", Wukari Local Government Area. He began his education at LEA Primary School in Kente from 1972 to 1978. He later progressed to Mbiya Government Secondary School, Takum in 1978 to 1983. He was enrolled into the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University from 1984 to 1985 before obtaining his bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the same prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1985 to 1988. He joined the Nigerian College of Accountancy from 1995 to 1996 where he earned the designation of a Certified National Accountant and became a member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). Between 2001 and 2002, he obtained admission and got a master's degree in Business Administration from Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State.[6][7][8]

Business career

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In 2007, chief David Sabo Kente started the "DSK Group International Ltd" spanning hotels and real estate with a view of providing hospitality to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of local and international business and leisure travelers in the world. He has multiple hotels all over Nigeria and one of the best hotels in The Gambia, Mansea Beach Hotel.[9] His "Eldavido properties and Enggineering services Ltd" is the real estate company and is located in Ghana. He is also into oil and gas and agro-allied businesses.[10][11][12]

Political career

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Chief David Sabo Kente contested for the Taraba State Gubernatorial seat in the 2015 general elections under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) against Darius Dickson Ishaku of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan of All Progressives Congress (APC). They lost to Darius Dickson Ishaku of PDP.[13]

In 2017, DSK (as he is popularly known) decamped with over 25,000 supporters to All Progressives Congress (APC), which later led him to declare interest to contest again for All Progressives Congress′ ticket in the 2019 Governorship election in Taraba State.[14][15]

David Sabo Kente has joined the race again to contest for the 2023 Taraba Governorship election under his party APC.[16] So far, he has the likes of Abubakar Sani Danladi, Garba Umar UTC, Ezekiel Irmiya Afukonyo, Saleh Mamman, Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, Danladi Kifasi and Emmanuel Bwacha to battle for the primary ticket under the All Progressives Congress platform.[17][18]

Charity and philanthropy

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Through his ″DSK Foundation″, he has impacted and continue to touch the lives of the people of Taraba and Nigeria at large. His act of philanthropy has offered over hundred of students scholarships over the years to help them further their education. He is also a huge donor to orphanages and has been disbursing foodstuffs to people on several occasions and during festive periods.[19][20][21]

Titles and honours

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Traditional titles

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David has been given the chieftaincy title of the Atavon Ekpan Nyifon of the Jukun people of Wukari, Kwararafa Kingdom.[22]

Honours

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In 2019, David was honored by the association of Taraba State Students Union (TASSU), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria chapter with the award of Ambassador of peace and Societal Development and Icon of Humanitarian Services respectively. He was again given an award as Taraba State Man of the Year in 2020 by NewMission Magazine.[23][24]

Personal life

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David is married to Esther and they have six children.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Dee-Es-Kay Group International Ltd". dskgroupintl.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  2. ^ "DSK Foundation". dskfoundation.com.ng. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  3. ^ Admin (14 April 2016). "Former Taraba SDP Governorship Candidate Quits Party". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Buhari Inaugurates Board of Northeast Development Commission". nedc.gov.ng. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. ^ Akpabio, Mfoniso-Abasi (9 August 2020). "NEDC sets up N6 billion education fund". today.ng. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. ^ Admins (3 April 2017). "Taraba's Ex Guber Aspirant DSK In Business Row with Brother". newsdiaryonline.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  7. ^ Admin (30 May 2021). "2023: Battle for the soul of Taraba begins". Blueprint. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  8. ^ Oraetoka, Emeka (20 June 2021). "The David Sabo Kente's philanthropic challenge". xclusivenigeria.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ^ Cham, Lamin (31 May 2017). "Mansea Beach chairman forecasts good prospects for tourism". standard.gm. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  10. ^ Asia, Okechukwu (22 April 2014). "A rising Taraba state?". peoplesdailyng.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  11. ^ Admin (4 April 2017). "DSK Denies Brother's Claims, Says Politicians Want To Blackmail Him". newsdiaryonline.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Dee-Es-Kay Group International Ltd". dskgroupintl.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  13. ^ Akpeji, Charles (11 April 2015). "Jummai, Ishaku Or Kente: Who Takes Gold In Taraba?". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  14. ^ Admin (6 February 2017). "25,000 dump PDP, SDP for APC in Taraba". sunnewsonline.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  15. ^ Admin (13 May 2018). "Taraba 2019: Can Kente's declaration alter APC's fortunes?". thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. ^ admin (23 February 2022). "2023 Taraba Governorship: Sabo Kente Joins Race". thenewsnigeria.com.ng. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ admin (11 October 2021). "2023: Challenges of APC's quest to take over Taraba". The Sun. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  18. ^ admin (30 May 2021). "2023: Battle for the soul of Taraba begins". Blueprint. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  19. ^ Admins (30 March 2012). "Taraba-Based DSK Foundation sees humanitarian services and public philanthropy as a call to duty". Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  20. ^ Admin (8 March 2021). "Tears of joy as philanthropist host orphans, widows and disabled to Grand party". sunnewsonline.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Ex-SDP Governorship Candidate In Taraba Frees 35 Inmates". tarabafacts.com.ng. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  22. ^ Admin (22 December 2013). "Ukenho: The Sights And Sounds Of A Jukun Carnival". Daily Trust. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Taraba Students in ABU Zaria Honour DSK, MB Mustapha". tarabatruthandfact.com.ng. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  24. ^ Admin (25 February 2021). "DSK: MAN OF THE YEAR". worldviewmagazine.net. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  25. ^ Admins (3 April 2017). "Taraba's Ex Guber Aspirant DSK In Business Row with Brother". newsdiaryonline.com. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
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