Ngozi Odu

Ngozi Nma Odu (born 19 October 1952) is a Nigerian politician and professor of microbiology who serves as the deputy governor of Rivers State. She was elected during the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election alongside the governor Siminalayi Fubara.[1][2] She was born in Egi clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.[3]

Ngozi Odu
Deputy Governor of Rivers State
Assumed office
29 May 2023
GovernorSiminalayi Fubara
Preceded byIpalibo Banigo
Rivers State Commissioner for Education
In office
January 2006 – 29 May 2007
Personal details
Born
Ngozi Nma Odu

(1952-10-19) 19 October 1952
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Rivers State, Nigeria)
Political partyPeoples Democratic Party
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Politician
  • professor

Early life and education

Odu was born on the 23 October 1952, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. She obtained her first degree in microbiology from Paisley College of Technology, Renfrewshire, Scotland. While in Scotland, she received the Best Academic Prize for 2 consecutive years (1977 and 1978 respectively).[4] She also holds a master's degree in Food Science and Management from the prestigious University of London (Queen Elizabeth College, 1983).[3] In 1989 she obtained a PhD in microbiology from the University of Port Harcourt that made her the first PhD graduate in that department. She also attended a Leadership course at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA in 2005.[3][5]

Career

Odu rose through the ranks in the Rivers State Ministry of Health to the post of permanent secretary from 1999 to 2006.[3][6] In January 2006, Odu was appointed the Rivers State Commissioner of Education by the former governor of the state, Peter Odili.[7] Odu served the University of Port Harcourt both as a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and as the first Acting Executive Director of the University of Port Harcourt Foundation. She is also a visiting professor at Rivers State University.[8] In June 2022, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party nominated Odu as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election.[9][10] Before her election as deputy governor-elect, Odu was the Director of Academic Planning, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State.[6]

See also

References
  1. Vanguard, Vanguard News. "Rivers Fubara, State lawmakers-elect receive Certificates of Return".
  2. "INEC asks Fubara, others to see their elections as call to service". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  3. "Rivers PDP Chooses Academic Giant Of Orashi Descent As Deputy Gov'ship Candidate". National Network Newspaper. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  4. flashpointnews (22 June 2022). "NGOZI ODU IS RIVERS PDP DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE". FlashPoint News. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. "MRS. NGOZI NMA ODU, Ph.D". www.uniport.edu.ng. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  6. Owoyele, Tola (3 April 2023). "6 Female Deputy Governors-Elect Waiting to Be Sworn In". Foundation For Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  7. Martins, Jay (21 June 2022). "PERSONALITY PROFILE OF PROF NGOZI NMA ODU; RIVERS PDP GUBER RUNNING MATE:". Gist. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  8. "Meet Nigeria's 6 female deputy governors-elect". Daily Trust. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  9. Correspondents, Our (1 August 2022). "2023: 10 Female Governorship Candidates, 24 Running Mates Emerge". Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  10. Obe, Emmanuel (27 June 2022). "Rivers People Hail Choice Of Odu As PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate". National Point Newspapers. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
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