View source for David Mark

{{short description|Nigerian politician and military officer (born 1948)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]<br>[[Brigadier General]]
| name                = David Mark
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=NG|GCON}}
| image               = David Mark.jpg
| imagesize           = 
| alt                 = 
| caption             = 
| office2             = [[Governor of Niger State]]
| term_start2         = January 1984
| term_end2           = 1986
| predecessor2        = [[Awwal Ibrahim]]
| successor2          = [[Garba Ali Mohammed]]
| office1             = [[Senate of Nigeria|Senator]] for [[Benue South Senatorial District|Benue South]]
| term_start1         = 3 June 1999
| term_end1           = 9 June 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Ameh Ebute]] (1993)
| successor1          = [[Abba Moro]]
| office              = 12th [[President of the Nigerian Senate]]
| term_start          = 5 June 2007
| term_end            = 6 June 2015
| deputy              = [[Ike Ekweremadu]]
| predecessor         = [[Ken Nnamani]]
| successor           = [[Bukola Saraki]]
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1948|4|8|df=y}}<ref name="David"/><ref name="Mark"/>
| birth_place         = [[Otukpo]], [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern Region]], [[Colonial Nigeria|British Nigeria]] (now in [[Benue State]], Nigeria)
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| nationality         = Nigerian
| party               = [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]]
| spouse              = 
| relations           = 
| children            = 
| residence           = [[Abuja]]
| alma_mater          = [[Nigerian Defence Academy]]
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|military officer}}
| profession          = 
| allegiance          = {{NGR}}
| branch              = {{army|Nigeria}}
| serviceyears        = 
| rank                = [[File: Nigeria-Army-OF-6.svg|20px]]   [[Brigadier General]]
}}
'''David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark''' {{post-nominals|country=NG|GCON}} ({{Pronunciation|Yo-David Alechenu Mark.ogg|listen|(|help=no}}; born 8 April 1948)<ref name=David>{{cite web |last1=Usman |first1=Samson Atekojo |title=Senate President salutes Senator David Mark at 75 |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/04/07/senate-president-salutes-senator-david-mark-at-75/?amp=1 |website=[[Daily Post (Nigeria)|Daily Post]] |access-date=9 April 2023 |date=7 April 2023 }}</ref><ref name=Mark>{{cite web |last1=Akintola |first1=Kehinde |title=Gbajabiamila salutes David Mark at 75 |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/gbajabiamila-salutes-david-mark-at-75/ |website=[[Nigerian Tribune]] |access-date=9 April 2023 |date=7 April 2023 }}</ref> is a retired Nigerian Army [[brigadier general]] and [[politician]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-08|title=David Mark: Mr. Stability @ 68|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/david-mark-mr-stability-68/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}</ref> He served as the 12th [[president of the Nigerian Senate]] from 2007 to 2015<ref name=td>{{cite news |first=Stanley |last=Nkwazema |author2=Chuks Okocha |author3=Juliana Taiwo |title=House Defies PDP, Elects Bankole Speaker |url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=94039 |work=[[Thisday]] online |publisher=Leaders & Company |date=2007-11-02 |access-date=2007-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103162057/http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=94039 |archive-date=2007-11-03 }}</ref> and was the Senator for [[Nigerian National Assembly delegation from Benue|Benue South senatorial district]] from 1999 to 2019.<ref name=na>{{cite web |url=http://www.nassnig.org/senate/Personal%20data/Mark/Home.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619024630/http://www.nassnig.org/senate/Personal%20data/Mark/Home.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-19 |title=Senator David Mark |access-date=2007-11-03 |publisher=[[National Assembly of Nigeria]] }}</ref> He is a member of the [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] (PDP).<ref name=sun>{{cite news |first=Ismail |last=Omipidan |title=Mark's landmark days in office |url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2007/sept/02/powergame-02-09-2007-002.htm |work=The Sun News On-line |publisher=The Sun Publishing |date=2007-09-02 |access-date=2007-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016192955/http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2007/sept/02/powergame-02-09-2007-002.htm |archive-date=2007-10-16 }}</ref> Prior to his senatorial career, Mark was the [[List of governors of Niger State|military Governor of Niger State]] from 1984 to 1986,<ref name=na/><ref>{{Cite web|title=David Mark|url=http://www.politiciansdata.com/content/david-mark/|date=2018-05-22|website=Politicians Data|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> and is a one-time minister of communication.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Mark: Unfading Patriot, Still Championing Legacies At 72|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/david-mark-unfading-patriot-still-championing-legacies-at-72/|last=Mumeh|first=Paul|date=2019-09-06|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> He was the longest serving president of the Nigerian Senate.

==Early life and education==
Mark was born in Otukpo Benue State in April 1948. He attended St. Francis Catholic Practicing School before attending the [[Nigerian Military School]]. After that he attended the [[Nigerian Defence Academy]].<ref name="Marks Childhood">{{cite web|title=Childhood|url=http://www.senatepresident.com/bio.html#childhood|publisher=Senate President|access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1970 and became a Captain in 1971. He was Commandant of Static Communications in 1974, then later held a political post as Chairman Abandoned Properties Implementation Committee in the [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern region]] in 1976.<ref name=SE/>

==Minister==
Mark headed the Communications Ministry and its two major parastatals: [[NITEL|Nigerian Telecommunications Limited]] (NITEL) and [[Nigerian Postal Service]] (NIPOST). As Minister of Communications, Mark was sometimes known for his blunt talk; during a two-day walking tour of facilities in [[Akure]] in 1989, some union workers complained that some of its members had not been promoted since 1978. Mark's response was that those who had not been promoted may have to be retired,<ref name=SE>Sam Egburonu. (1990). "It is High Time We Face Realities
", THISWEEK, July 2, 1990</ref> meaning that unproductive workers will have to be let go.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Mark|url=http://www.politiciansdata.com/content/david-mark/|date=2018-05-22|website=Politicians Data|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> He also espoused the opinion of death penalty for telecom cable thieves, as well as a policy of dismantling under-utilized telecom facilities citing political considerations for giving allocations to towns with limited use of phone networks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Mark Biography, Previous Offices, Military History And Other Facts|url=https://buzznigeria.com/david-mark/|last=Udeze|first=Chuka|date=2018-06-25|website=BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

== Senate of Nigeria ==
Mark was elected to his position as President of the Senate of Nigeria on 6 June 2007.<ref name=v>{{cite news |first=Emmanuel |last= Aziken |title= Marked for Battle - Akume Battles Mark for Senate Presidency |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200710120133.html |work=Vanguard |publisher= [[allAfrica.com|AllAfrica Global Media]]|date=2007-10-12 |access-date=2007-11-03 }}</ref>

David Mark ran for re-election to the Senate for [[Benue South senatorial district|Benue South]] in April 2011 and was elected for a fourth term.<ref>{{cite web|date=Apr 12, 2011|work=Daily Independent|title=Mark, Tinubu, Nnamani, others greet Ngige, as APGA rejects Anambra results|author=Rotimi Akinwumi and Akinwunmi King|url=http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=32046}}</ref> David Mark noted that the polls pointed to his decisive victory and called for his opponents to work together to improve Nigeria.<ref name="Controverisal win">{{cite news|title=Benue: David Mark in controversial re-election win|url=http://newnigerianpolitics.com/2011/04/10/benue-david-mark-in-controversial-re-election-win/|access-date=7 May 2012|newspaper=New Nigerian Politics|date=10 April 2011|archive-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414014252/http://newnigerianpolitics.com/2011/04/10/benue-david-mark-in-controversial-re-election-win/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

When leading the review of the [[Constitution of Nigeria|Nigerian Constitution]], Mark reportedly urged his colleagues to set aside their personal interests and focus on the interests of the Nigerian people.<ref name="Constitution Review">{{cite news|title=No Fixed Position On Constitution Review – David Mark |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Nigeria+Today/articles/_KV85aTyaJS/No+Fixed+Position+Constitution+Review+David |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630180705/http://www.zimbio.com/Nigeria+Today/articles/_KV85aTyaJS/No+Fixed+Position+Constitution+Review+David |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2013 |access-date=2 May 2013 |newspaper=Zimbio |date=27 April 2013 }}</ref> After the UK criticized Nigeria's Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage bill, threatening to pull their foreign aid, Mark responded that they "should keep [their] aid."<ref name="leaders unite">{{cite news|last=Fisher|first=Jonah|title=Nigerian leaders unite against same-sex marriages|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15992099|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=5 December 2011}}</ref> Mark called Nigeria's National Football Federation the "centre of corruption in the country," suggesting that they may need to temporarily disband to allow for reconstruction.<ref name=NFF>{{cite news|last=Okeleji|first=Oluwashina|title=NFF will not comment on corruption claims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17239860|access-date=2 May 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2012}}</ref>

In September 2018, making plans to contest for the Nigerian presidency, Mark appointed [[Zainab Abdulkadir Kure]] as his campaign manager and Abba Ejembi as campaign's spokesperson.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Mark makes new appointments for his campaign organization|url=https://dailypost.ng/2018/09/12/david-marks-appointments-campaign-organization/|last=Itodo|first=Yemi|date=2018-09-12|website=Daily Post Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

==Personal life==
David Mark enjoys [[golf]], [[tennis]], and [[Squash (sport)|squash]].<ref name=Profile>{{cite web|title=Senate President Profile|url=http://www.senatepresident.com/profile.html|publisher=Senate President|access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> He is an [[Idoma people|Idoma]] by tribe and is married to at least 4 wives.<ref name=td/><ref name=sun/><ref name="Fraud reporting">{{cite web|title=Scam ATM Card Payment Money Transfers Example - David Mark|url=http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/ATMcardScam_SWIFTCARD.php|publisher=Consumer Fraud Reporting}}</ref>

Mark has a country house with a helicopter and helipad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://abujamedia.com.ng/david-marks-house-in-benue-state-has-a-helicopter-landing-space-on-its-roof/ |title=David Mark's House in Benue State Has a Helicopter Landing Space on its Roof |access-date=2015-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814032431/http://abujamedia.com.ng/david-marks-house-in-benue-state-has-a-helicopter-landing-space-on-its-roof/ |archive-date=2016-08-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{cite news |first= Emmanuel|last=Aziken  |title= N400m contract allegation: Senate declines Mark's move to step aside |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=449&Itemid=42 |work= Vanguard Online Edition |publisher= Vanguard Media |date= 2007-10-16|access-date=2007-11-03 }}
*[http://assemblyonline.info/2009/05/nigeria-news-gender-equality-impossible-in-politics-says-david-mark/ Assemblyonline Nigeria News: Gender equality impossible in politics says David Mark. ]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7261097.stm BBC News: Legal blow for Nigerian senator; A tribunal in Nigeria has annulled the election of the president of the senate, David Mark. ]

{{NigerStateGovernors}}
{{Nigeria Buhari Governors}}
{{Nigeria Babangida Governors}}
{{President Nigerian Senate}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 4th National Assembly}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 5th National Assembly}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 6th National Assembly}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 7th National Assembly}}
{{Nigerian Senators of the 8th National Assembly}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mark, David}}
[[Category:Presidents of the Senate (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Nigerian generals]]
[[Category:People from Benue State]]
[[Category:Governors of Niger State]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Idoma people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Christians]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party members of the Senate (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Nigerian Defence Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Senators of the 4th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Senators of the 5th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Senators of the 6th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Senators of the 7th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]
[[Category:Senators of the 8th National Assembly (Nigeria)]]