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| Dr. Stephen Odey |
As the election to replace the late Sen. Rose Oko in the red chambers if the Nigerian senate draws close, there arises the dire need for the people of Cross River North to look carefully before handing over the mandate of who represents them in the senate.
Politicians as it is their custom will continue to scheme in other to gain political favour from the electorates. This is the time to be very careful. To elect according to proven track record, administrative prowess and legislative experience. In all of these qualities Dr. Stephen Odey without equivocation stands tall.
In this piece, I will attempt to put together the few strides this astute administrator have been in previous assignments given him.
Dr. (Barr.) Stephen Odey, is an erudite scholar, diligent administrator, politician, community Leader, philanthropist, and teacher who served meritoriously and deligently begining as a teacher worked hard before rising to the position of Senior Lecturer in the University of Calabar.
The seasoned administrator served as an adjunct Lecturer with the National Open University of Nigeria between 2005 and 2009.
Not relenting Dr. Odey between 2010 and 2012, after meritorious academic voyage was awarded LL.B and B.L degrees by the University of Calabar and the Nigerian Law School, Bwarri-Abuja.
In 2011 Ben Ayade who had won election into the senate, appointed him as a legislative aide. During that period, Dr. Odey performed excellently well, drafting bills, researching and ensuring seamless legislative load on his principal.
Having performed creditably, Dr Stephen Odey resumed as the Executive Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) having been appointed by Sen. Ben Ayade who had won his election as governor of the State. While in SUBEB as chairman, the renowned technocrat introduced several reforms that raised the educational fortunes of Cross River State far beyond the expectations of many.
Dr. Odey's exceptional leadership qualities endeared him to many Cross Riverians. For example, as Chairman of SUBEB, his insistence on due process and transparency in the dealings of the educational board led to the exposure of several ghost workers ultimately swindling the government of several millions. But the brilliant combination of Dr. Odey's detail to duty saved the state government of a whooping N100million usually lost to some 6000 ghost workers.
The prudent management of financial resources of the board under the stewardship of Dr. Odey was clearly manifested with the building of several schools fitted with modern learning facilities, delivery and distribution of special learning aid and equipment through the UBE Special Needs Education Intervention Fund across all LGAs in the state among other commendable achievements.
Due to his sterling achievements, when there was a need to stabilize the Cross River State Water Board, Gov. Ben Ayade again mandated him in 2017 to steer the wheels of the state owned water board in acting capacity as the Managing Director.
Dr. Stephen Odey has a wealth of experience in the academic, legal and administration to bear the senate seat for the people.
If given the opportunity, Dr Stephen Odey is capable of rewriting the narrative of Cross River North, from the socio-political experience of poverty, marginalization and underdevelopment to proper democratic dividends.
As we prepare for the senatorial election on the 5th of December, 2020, our people must understand clearly that legislative business is far beyond making presentations on the floor of the house or buying motor bikes for faithful party loyalists. But even if that is all what legislative representation is about, yet Dr. Odey is more than able.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grassroot Reporters
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