The former Minister of Environment, Chief John Odey, finally goes home on Wednesday, for eternal rest in his hometown, Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State amid tears and testimonies.
Odey’s remain was taken home via a long convoy from Enugu Airport by road to his hometown in Okpoma for interment.
The body arrived at about 5pm, and was taken to the Christ the King Catholic Church in Okpoma for Mass in his honour.
People present include his wife and children, family members, top leadership and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), associates and friends.
The body of the former PDP spokesman of the PDP and Minister of Information and Communications will be committed to mother earth Wednesday November 7, 2018, in his compound at Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
It will be recalled that he (Odey) died on Sunday, October 7, 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE, after a cancer-related illness that made him travel out of the country for medication.
On brief background of this illustrious son of Yala Kingdom
Chief John Ogar Odey was born November 1, 1959, in Okpoma, Cross River State. He was appointed Minister of Information and Communications in July 2007 by the late President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, and was later taken to the Ministry of Environment as Minister in December 2008 by Yar’Adua due to reshufflement of the cabinet that year.
The former Minister attended University of Calabar and graduated with a B.Sc. in banking and finance in 1986. He was General Manager for South-South Communication, and also Chairman of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
He was also appointed National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in 2004.
He was one PDP’s strongholds who kept the party afloat on the troublous waters the party found itself after former President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Party, APC, in 2015 elections.
He was part of the few who stood with the party and ensured the party bounced back with a big bang.
He was part of those who stood against impunity and advocated internal democracy and good leadership.
He impacted the lives of Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds, and contributed immensely to the socio-economic life of his people.
By Ebriku John Friday, Okpoma
