Donald Duke, born on September 30, 1961, in Calabar, Cross River State, emerged from a distinguished family, with his father, Henry Etim Duke, serving as the second indigenous and longest-serving Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Duke’s early education spanned prestigious institutions, including Corona School, Lagos, and Federal Government College, Sokoto.
He pursued higher education, earning an LLB from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1982, followed by his B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 1983.
He further honed his legal expertise with an LL.M. in Business and Admiralty Law from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984.
This strong academic foundation in law significantly influenced his approach to public service.
His political journey began in 1992 as Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning in Cross River State, culminating in his election as Governor in 1999, a position he held for two transformative terms until 2007.
Donald Duke’s tenure as Governor of Cross River State (1999-2007) is widely remembered for its visionary and transformative impact, particularly in the areas of tourism and economic diversification.
Despite modest federal allocations, Duke spearheaded numerous landmark projects that propelled Cross River State onto the global stage.
His signature initiatives include the upgrading of the Obudu Cattle Ranch into the Obudu Mountain Resort, complete with cable cars, and the conceptualization and launch of the Calabar Carnival, which has grown to become “Africa’s biggest street party.”
He also championed the Tinapa Business Resort and Free Trade Zone, aimed at boosting commerce and tourism. Beyond these iconic projects, Duke’s administration focused on comprehensive development, including infrastructure (roads, electrification, water), healthcare, education, and civil service reforms.
His emphasis on non-oil sectors and sustainable development earned him widespread praise, establishing him as a “star boy” of his political generation and leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and progress in Cross River State.
