Neiphiu Rio

Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician who serving as the 9th and current Chief Minister of Nagaland since 2018, previously 2008 to 2014 and from 2003 to 2008. He is the only Nagaland Chief Minister to have serving five consecutive terms, and is the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was also a Member of Parliament from Nagaland in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2018. Early life and education Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio was born on 11 November 1950 to an Angami Naga family from Tuophema. His mother and father were Kevilhouü and Guolhoulie Rio. He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, Purulia, West Bengal. He attended college at St Joseph's College, Darjeeling and later graduated from Kohima Arts College. An active student leader during his School and College days, Rio entered politics at a very young age. He had headed many organizations before becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. He served as the President of Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing in 1974. He was also appointed the Chairman of Northern Angami Area Council in 1984. He also had been the honorary Vice President of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland branch. Political career On entering politics, Rio contested the Nagaland Assembly elections of 1987 unsuccessfully as an Independent Candidate. Rio was first elected to Nagaland Legislative Assembly as Congress (I) candidate from the Northern Angami-II constituency during the 7th General Elections of 1989. He was appointed the Minister for Sports and School Education and subsequently as Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Art & Culture; also served as Chairman in Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board and Development Authority of Nagaland. Rio was again elected from the same Constituency in 1993 as Congress (I) candidate and appointed Minister for Works & Housing. As a member of the Indian National Congress, Rio was Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by S. C. Jamir from 1998 till 2002 when he resigned from the ministry accusing Chief Minister S. C. Jamir of blocking a negotiated settlement of the vexed Naga issue.