Education in Cross River Under Stephen Odey, ,
Allison Abanum
As this part of the world moves fast into literacy, it is important to understand what leaders are doing to shape the future of the upcoming generation. Step forward, Prof. Stephen Adi Odey, the Commissioner of Education in Cross River State.
Odey is a refined Yache-born academic giant, legal luminary, industrial sociologist, astute leader with prudent process in administration, and most interestingly, an unmatched philanthropist. He is focused, determined, disciplined, and meticulous in all his approaches.
He comes from a modest background and has achieved significant strides in his academic and political career. He has held other key positions in the last administration, which have helped in sharpening his political acumen.
in 2011, he was appointed personal assistant and later Special Adviser to Senator Benedict Ayade – Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State in the National Assembly. He was also appointed Executive Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board in 2015, and later in 2017, he was appointed Acting Managing Director of Cross River State Water Board Limited, a position a held until 2019, when he was reappointed to the Chairmanship of Cross River State SUBEB by Governor Ayade in 2019. As Chairman, he initiated 479 projects, out of which 452 were successfully completed.
Similarly, the Commissioner in 2020 became a Senator after winning the Bye-election that saw him fill the vacancy left by the demise of former Senator, Rose Okoh, who died at 63.
In the annals of Nigerian political history, only a few men can bridle their national ego to take on a job few steps below their former role along the political positional totem-pole.
In spite of his former position as senator, Odey didn’t let pride rob him of his love for service to humanity. Upon assuming office as Governor Bassey Otu appointed Odey as Commissioner for Education, Cross River State, Nigeria, on August 16th, 2023.
Following the appointment, Odey quickly sprang into action by putting technicalities in place as well as redrafting a new educational template. He abruptly began setting out a convenient modus operandi and a legal framework that would not just change the polity, but one that will outlive the currency of his time.
As a servant leader, the Commissioner facilitated the registration of 16,301 SS3 students of Cross River State in the 2024 MAY/JUNE WAEC, which was duly approved by the Governor of the state. He is indeed a saviour who came to rescue Cross River State students and pupils from illegal extortions from school Principals with the recovery of 20,000,000 naira within the time under review.
He sponsored students’ participation at State and Zonal levels of National, Democratic and Legislative Studies; Secondary Schools Quiz Competition 2023 held in Calabar and Uyo, October/November 2023.
We cannot overstate Odey’s impact in the Cross River State Educational landscape by organising the 2023/2024 Read and Write Competition, and the final was held in the Central Senatorial District (Yakurr LGA) . He also facilitated the Procurement and supply of Safety Life Jackets (floaters) for use by teachers in riverine areas of Bakassi LGA to address the challenge of riverine Schools.
On the aspect of educational policy, the Commissioner is not relenting. We’ve seen him issue several memos to the State Executive Council. In March 2024, he submitted a Memo on Approval for the Registration of Candidates of CRS origin in public Secondary Schools for WAEC. And in June, 2024 there was a Memo on Ratification of His Excellency the Governor’s approval of the sum of N110,000,000 for the conduct of 2024 CRS Primary and Secondary School Examinations. While in December of the same year, there was a repealing of the State Secondary Education Board existing law and disarticulation of Junior Secondary School from Senior Secondary School in the State, as presented by the honourable Commissioner.
There’s no gainsaying the fact that when real Leaders emerge, they become the pride of their community and state. Prof Stephen Adi Odey is not just the pride of Iyala people. He has become an insignia of Educational and political success, generally to the Cross River State People by winning an Award as the Best Commissioner for Education in Nigeria by National Leadership Award Limited, held in Abuja, October 9, 2024. And also won an Award as the Most Proactive and Excellent Report Writing Commissioner for Education in Nigeria with an IPAD Prize by the Federal Ministry of Education, presented by the Hon. Minister of Education on 10th October, 2024.
In conclusion, Odey, Commissioner for Education, has adopted a firebrand approach in reviving the hitherto Moribund educational sector. His ingenuity in leadership drive has won him the heart of the Cross River State People. His exceptional leadership antics have elevated him head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. He is a national icon whose humility and unassuming character must be emulated by the crop of younger leaders.
Allison Abanum writes from Abuja.
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