By Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan
In his determination to build up the necessary intellectual robustness relevant to the machinery and process of service to humanity, Odubu soon transcended the narrow confines of a secondary education when, in 1977, he proceeded to the United States of America for further studies. While in the US, Odubu attended Philandersmith College, Little Rock, Arkansas; Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Southern University School of Law; Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington, DC; and Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, Massachusetts. He later attended Oxford University, Said Business School, Oxford England. Odubu has to his credit, a chain of quality degrees, including BA (Hons.) in Political Science; Doctor of Jurisprudence in Law; Master of Law with major concentration in International and Comparative Law; and BL (Barrister and Solicitor at Law). On his return to Nigeria in 1985, Odubu was enrolled in the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986.
From the lessons of ancient history, it is abundantly clear that Prophet Joshua of the biblical times was a profound man of God. Long before the advent of the Athenian democracy, his approach was thoroughly democratic and his choice was perfect – Choose who you will serve; as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord. Prophet Joshua was perfectly in order.
Following the footsteps of Joshua in evaluating today’s political situation in Edo State, Nigeria, a formidable group that goes by the name, Odubu Support Group has concluded, as for us, we shall support His Excellency, The Right Honorable Doctor Pius Egberhanmwen Odubu, the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Edo State. This conclusion has a solid base.
Today, Odubu is the Chairman-designate of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Clearly, this is one appointment that has come as a dividend of many excellent products.
First, we see it as a reward for total and unalloyed loyalty. At a time when it appeared that the heavens were going to crumble on him, Odubu remained steadfast and undaunted. He was loyal even at the edge of doom!
Again, loyalty begets loyalty. Odubu’s followership is absolutely tremendous. We know of no other politician today who, out of office, commands the type of followership that Odubu has commanded in the past three years.
In this period of political draught, at Odubu’s Liberty Avenue Residence, Benin City, every day has virtually been Christmas – a slaughter house of sorts, where goats and cows cry to death, augmented with the robust bush meat and snails from Iyekeorhionmwon.
The appointment also comes as a reward for hard work. Let’s face it: no matter how loyal you may be, if you are not eminently qualified for a position, you may as well forget it. In every situation, a good qualification makes a good person better.
As we eagerly await the inauguration of the NDDC Board, it becomes imperative to recapitulate some of the intimidating credentials that Odubu is bringing to the table. This is based principally on the profile we did on him in the spring of 2016 at the twilight of the War of Succession in Edo State.
The highlights here bespeak Odubu as a man who in all respects and by all known standards, has distinguished himself in several ways and is destined for history.
From very early in life, Odubu started preparing himself for a respectable leadership role in the affairs of his community and the larger society. This is one way of appreciating the fact that he has spent a good part of his life for self-development through education and management training.
Little Pius was born in 1958 in the little village of Urhomehe, Urhomigbe North Ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. He had his primary education in St. Pius Primary School, Urhomehe, before proceeding to Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, where he was a recipient of an Academic Scholarship Award from the then Benin Area Joint Board.
In his determination to build up the necessary intellectual robustness relevant to the machinery and process of service to humanity, Odubu soon transcended the narrow confines of a secondary education when, in 1977, he proceeded to the United States of America for further studies.
While in the US, Odubu attended Philandersmith College, Little Rock, Arkansas; Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Southern University School of Law; Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington, DC; and Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, Massachusetts.
He later attended Oxford University, Said Business School, Oxford England.
Odubu has to his credit, a chain of quality degrees, including BA (Hons.) in Political Science; Doctor of Jurisprudence in Law; Master of Law with major concentration in International and Comparative Law; and BL (Barrister and Solicitor at Law).
On his return to Nigeria in 1985, Odubu was enrolled in the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986.
After his call to Bar, Odubu had a flourishing law practice in Benin City until 1999, when he was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State. He was re-elected in 2003.
While in the House of Representatives, Odubu was a ranking member of the Committees on Appropriations; Federal Capital Territory and Labor. He was Deputy Chairman of the Commerce Committee. At various times, Odubu served in the following Committees: Works, Marine Transport, Commerce, Navy, Anti-corruption and Public Accounts.
What is Odubu bringing to the table? Good education, cognate experience, diligence, intelligence, transparency, integrity and accountability shall be some of the visible hallmarks of his administration. His policy thrust shall be based on five cardinal points: Job Creation; Wealth Creation; Infrastructural Development; Agricultural Development and Good Governance.
Odubu is a man of peace. He has remained loyal to his boss, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Odubu is a team-player who gets along with his colleagues. Because of his loyalty, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has asserted on various occasions that Odubu is the best Deputy Governor in Nigeria.
By extrapolation, this has been interpreted in many quarters to mean that if given the opportunity, Odubu will be the best Governor in Nigeria.
On his part Odubu has the kindest words for his boss; “I deeply appreciate my boss and elder brother, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for giving me the opportunity to work with him in the last seven and a half years…. I have been in Oshiomhole School of governance and it has been most beneficial and rewarding.”
Odubu cuts across party divides. It is instructive that on the day he declared his intension to run for the office of governor of Edo State, the PDP was the first to congratulate him, pouring encomiums on him and suggesting perhaps that he is the best man for the job.
If what we hear from the grapevine becomes true, Edo State may as well be on the enviable path to becoming the first State in Nigeria to produce a consensus candidate for a gubernatorial election.
In any case, the Bible is right that if a man’s ways are pleasing to God, He will make his enemies to be at peace with him.
Odubu is a writer’s delight, any day. We present to you, a most perfect manifestation of political craftsmanship and hope for our people; a man destined to make history, yet, whose humility belies the robustness of his attainment in life.
We present to you, a total embodiment of consensus politician; one man who has a vision and mission to work with other patriotic Nigerians for the fulfillment of the Nigerian Dream and the realization of the manifesto and the Freedom Charter of the All Progressives Congress, which hold tremendous promise for the prosperity, greatness and unity of this nation.
We present to you The Right Honorable (Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, one man who has a full grasp of the inner workings of the three branches and the three tiers of government; a lawyer; a legislator extra-ordinaire; an administrator; a political strategist, tactician; an adept in political engineering; a symbol of political honor, confidence and hope; an exponent of human kindness; a most perfect manifestation of humility, impervious tenacity in the service of this great nation and hope for a sustainable democratic polity in Edo State and, indeed, in Nigeria.
Odubu is happily married to Deaconess (Mrs.) Endurance Odubu and the union is blessed with four children.
Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan is a public affairs analyst and former Chairman, Board of Directors, Edo Broadcasting Service. He can be reached at: joligien@yahoo.com
