Chief Odigha Odigha receiving an international award
Efio-Ita Nyok|20 August 2016
I considered it apposite that this weekend we all get to know, Chief Odigha Odigha, one thorn in the flesh of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade especially as it borders on a component of his dead-at-arrival Signature Projects -the 260km dual capacity super high way anticipated to span from Bakassi to Obudu. Chief Odigha has made abundantly clear that he is not against the project, but that the government should make it more participatory, reinvoke the rights of occupancy and compensate those who were affected by the bulldozing exercise along the superhighway path.
It is better to recognize, appreciate and celebrate our heroes and heroines who are still active in influencing the lives of others through the resources God has blessed them with, rather than giving a dog a bad name just to hang it.
Human liberty is the mainspring of human progress and the one great revolution in the world is the revolution for human liberty.
Let us also know that all learning leads to nothing, unless it is centered on finding the roots of truth, which cannot be received without first becoming honest.
Chief Odigha Odigha is an Environmentalist, Development Consultant, Administrator & Activist of Change, born on 3rd March 1957 at Abaragba in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He attended St. Peter's Primary School, Ekpokpa, Ikom Local Government Area between 1968 to 1970 and later St. Mary's Primary School, Agbaragba in the same Local Government Area, passed out at Distinction level in 1971. After his primary education, he proceeded to St. Brendan's Secondary School, Iyamoyong in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State, from 1972 to 1976 where he came out with division one level in 1976.
He also attended University of Calabar, Cross River State, between 1976 to 1980 where he was among the pioneer set to obtain a B.Sc degree in Mathematics/ Statistics at second class level in 1980.
In his quest for further education, he enrolled for an MBA degree at the University of Lagos in 1983 and graduated in 1985. His Ph.D in Biodiversity/Environmental Studies at the University of Calabar is in view.
He started his political life as the
*Community Leader of Etungba Ofutop, Ikom Local Government Area in 1982. In
1983, he was the
*Chairman, Fafunwa Hall (PG) for Post Graduate Students.
*He was also elected Leader, Post Graduate Students at the University of Lagos in 1984.
*He was the Founding Secretary, Cocoa Producers & Buyers Association in Ikom in 1986.
*He was Cross River State Organising Secretary, People's Front of Nigeria (Unregistered Political Association) in 1988.
*He was the Director of Campaigns (Social Democratic Party), Cross River State Governorship/House of Assembly Elections in 1991.
*He Contested as Chairman, Non Party Local Government Area, Ikom in 1987.
*He also contested for the Governorship seat of Cross River State under the platform of Social Democratic Party in 1992.
*That same year, he again contested the Cross River Central Senatorial Seat.
*He was appointed the Cross River State Coordinator for late Shehu Musa Yaradua Presidential Campaign in 1993.
Odigha Odigha is a member of many organisations and bodies.
*He is a Member, Nigerian Field Society, Calabar Branch in 1995.
*Member, Steering Committee of Nigerian Organisation for Solidarity & Developement in 1993.
*He midwived the formation of Abakan Ofutop Association (A network of rural women) in Ikom Local Government Area in 1995.
*Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee of Women in Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter in 1994
*Member, Women in Nigeria (WIN), Cross River State Branch in 1993.
*Member, AIDS Women Initiative (AWI) Committee in 1994.
*Member, International Association for Study of Common Property, California, USA in 1996.
*National Coordinator, Earth Day 2000 in 1995.
*Member, University of Calabar Governing Council in 1996.
*He started his career as a Teacher during his NYSC days at Government College, Pankshin, Plateau State in 1980 to 1981.
*After his mandatory service year, he became the Vice Principal of Ofutop Comprehensive Secondary School Ikom from 1981 to 1982.
*Between 1982 to 1983, he was a Lecturer at the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
*He was Proprietor/Principal, Odiayom Success Institute, Ikom from 1986 to 1987.
*Chief Executive, Devama Consult Nigeria Ltd in 1998.
He began the Campaign to protect Nigeria's Last Tropical High Forest (THF) in 1993. He became the Founding Executive Director of NGO Coalition for Environment (NGOCE) in 1995 and championed the campaign for Cross River Rainforest Protection. He won the Goldman Environmental Price for Africa in 2003 amongst other numerous environmental awards, both local and globally.
Odigha Odigha has served on the Board of numerous bodies like
*Eco-Agriculture Partners (Washington Based Organisation).
*He was appointed a Board Member, Cross River State Forestry Commission in 2000 by H. E Governor Donald Duke.
Due to his outstanding performance in the Board, Governor Liyel Imoke appointed him Executive Chairman of Cross River Forestry Commission from 2009 to 2015.
He advocated for Nigeria's membership in the UN-REDD Programme with Cross River State as the Pilot State in 2010. He represented Nigeria on the Policy Board of UN-REDD. He advocated for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank. UN-REDD and FCPF are global financial instruments established to mitigate the impact of climate change through reduction in deforestation. He is the current Chairman, BOT of NGO Coalition for Environment.
He was Ordained Deacon and Pastor in Christ Chapel International Churches in 1998 & 2013 respectively.
God bless the Forest Ambassador,
God bless Cross River Rainforest,
God bless Cross River State,
God bless Nigeria.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven)
