About Tonye Cole
Tonye Cole, mni is co-founder of Sahara Group, an energy conglomerate founded in 1996, employs over 4,000 persons in 38 countries across Africa,
Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In 2018, Mr. Cole resigned from Sahara to contest the 2019 elections and is now the gubernatorial flag bearer for the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State for the 2023 general election. His various National assignments include Governing Council, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping. Honorary Senior Adviser on Energy, Rivers State Government (2009- 2011). Member, Nigerian Development Forum (NDF) 2007. Member, National Committee on Job Creation (NCJC) 2010. Chairman, Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (2013-2016). Chairman, Presidential Council Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2017. Advisory Board, The Nigeria Blueprint: Imagine the Future 2021, chaired by Vice President HE Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCFR.
His international assignments include Member, World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Advisory Council on Energy. Advisory Board Member, UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) Private Sector Advisory Group 2014-2018. Member, WEF Pact Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) 2017- 2018. Advisory Council Member, World Bank Group’s Expert Advisory Council on Citizen Engagement 2018.
He has been recognised as Oil & Gas Council Lifetime Achievement and Executive of The Year Award, 2017. Forbes/Ebonylife TV Best of Africa Award, 2013. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Finalist, 2011. Thisday Award As ‘Young Global Champions in Oil and Gas’, 2010. Role Mode Award by ‘We Are the Future of Our Nation’, 2009. University of Lagos Alumni Association Merit Award for ‘Outstanding Contributions and Commitment to National Development’, 2007.
Tonye Cole is a philanthropist whose activities include Chairman, Enactus Nigeria. Founder, The Nehemiah Youth Empowerment Initiative. Founder, Nehemiah Leadership Institute. Founder, Behavioural Health Institute. Founder, The REACH Nigeria Foundation. Founder, Rivers Professional Forum. Board Member, Slum2 School Foundation. He is also a motivational speaker, ordained minister, and published author. He is married to Dr. Sylvia Cole and has three children.
The Rivers State Government has withdrawn its charges against me for a lack of merit. This is not just my victory, but a victory for the people of Rivers State, a victory for the people who are tired of undue oppression and corruption. This is victory is a pointer to the fact that this election will be different, this election will be about the people, about their independence, about their emergence, this election will be about justice! I commend the Rivers State Ministry of Justice for standing firm in the face of unlawful action aimed at manipulating the powers of the court against the innocent Going forward, we can make this the norm in our Nation, especially in Rivers State!
I commend the Rivers State Ministry of Justice for standing firm in the face of unlawful action aimed at manipulating the powers of the court against the innocent.
Going forward, we can make this the norm in our Nation, especially in Rivers State!”
Arc. Tonye Patrick Cole mni