Bernard Dowiyogo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Bernard Dowiyogo
President of Nauru
In office December 22, 1976 – April 19, 1978
Deputy	Kinza Clodumar
Preceded by	Hammer DeRoburt
Succeeded by	Lagumot Harris
In office December 12, 1989 – November 22, 1995
Deputy	Vinson Detenamo
Preceded by	Kenos Aroi
Succeeded by	Lagumot Harris
In office November 11, 1996 – November 25, 1996
Deputy	Vinson Detenamo
Preceded by	Lagumot Harris
Succeeded by	Kennan Adeang
In office June 18, 1998 – April 27, 1999
Deputy	Vinson Detenamo
Preceded by	Kinza Clodumar
Succeeded by	René Harris
In office April 20, 2000 – March 30, 2001
Deputy	Derog Gioura
Preceded by	René Harris
Succeeded by	René Harris
In office January 9, 2003 – January 17, 2003
Deputy	Derog Gioura
Preceded by	René Harris
Succeeded by	René Harris
In office January 18, 2003 – March 9, 2003
Deputy	Derog Gioura
Preceded by	René Harris
Succeeded by	Derog Gioura
Member of the Nauruan Parliament for Ubenide
In office December 17, 1973 – March 9, 2003
Preceded by	Victor Eoaeo
Succeeded by	Russell Kun
Personal details
Born	February 14, 1946 Ubenide
Died	March 9, 2003 (aged 57) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Christina Dowiyogo
Children	Valdon Dowiyogo

Bernard Annen Auwen Dowiyogo (born February 14, 1946 – died March 9, 2003) was an important politician from the island nation of Nauru. He served as the President of Nauru seven different times. He was also a Member of Parliament for the Ubenide area.

Bernard Dowiyogo's Early Life and Career

Bernard Dowiyogo was born in Nauru on February 14, 1946. He first became a member of Nauru's parliament in 1973. The parliament had 18 seats.

In his early years in the Parliament of Nauru, Dowiyogo often disagreed with Hammer DeRoburt. DeRoburt was Nauru's first president after it became independent. Dowiyogo also started the Nauru Institute of Media and Communications. This institute worked from 1984 to 1996. It closed in 1997 because of money problems.

Serving as President of Nauru

Bernard Dowiyogo became President for the first time in 1976. He served until 1978, taking over from Hammer DeRoburt. Over the next 25 years, Dowiyogo was President many times.

Some of his terms lasted for six years, like from 1989 to 1995. Other times, he was President for only a few days, such as in January 2003. He was the youngest person to become president in Nauru's history.

During the 1980s, he spoke out strongly against France and the United States. He criticized them for testing atomic weapons near Nauru. In 1990, he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

In 2003, Dowiyogo closed Nauru's offshore banks. This happened after the United States said these banks might be used for money laundering.

President Dowiyogo's Passing

Bernard Dowiyogo passed away while still serving as President in March 2003. He had been president since January 2003. He died in Washington, D.C., in the United States.

His death was caused by heart problems. These problems were made worse by his struggle with diabetes. Diabetes is a common health issue in Nauru. At the time, he was talking with the United States Government about important matters.

Bernard Dowiyogo's Family Life

Bernard Dowiyogo married on December 14, 1968. He and his wife, Christina Dowiyogo (who passed away in March 2008), had eight children.

His children include:

• Clara Augusta Alefaio (née Dowiyogo), who worked in Nauru's education department.
• Valdon Kape Dowiyogo, who became the Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru.
• Jesaulenko Dowiyogo, who worked as a diplomat and later led the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority.
• Junior Dowiyogo, who served as the Commissioner for Police in Nauru.
• Peter Jason Dowiyogo, who worked at the Nauru Post Office.
• David Dowiyogo, who works at the Republic of Nauru Hospital.
• Jeff Dowiyogo, who lives in Australia.
• Zita Dowiyogo, who works at the Nauru Immigration Office.