CALABAR –Hon Peter Odey is a refined gentleman who is both easy-going and deeply focused, with a forward-thinking attitude. He is fast becoming the standard bearer of quality representation and is owns the patent to one of the most pro-active leadership styles in Cross River State.
As a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly Representing the good people of Ogoja constituency and the incumbent leader of the Cross River State house of assembly, Hon Peter has proven beyond reasonable doubt, that his style of leadership, is one of the best so far in the State House of Assembly. He is focused on achievements and achievements only.
In his two terms in the House of Assembly, he has recorded the highest numbers of motion raised in the house and also Co-sponsored many other too. He has a number of landmark bills to his credit. Bills that have been gazetted into state laws and which have already put his name in the annals of Cross River history.
A few of them are highlighted below:
BILLS SPONSORED
1) The Cross River State sustainable development Bill.
Benefits: The bill was aimed at drawing interventions from the United Nations. Over time, it has paid off as the United Nation’s swam into action with:
Renovation of hospitals across the States. (e.g General Hospital Ogoja, Calabar etc.)
Donations of medical equipment to hospitals.
Training’s of medical personnel
Improved transportation system in hospitals with donations of Buses, Ambulances etc.
2) The UNICROSS Amendment Bill.
Benefits: The benefits which are not only limited to a change of name of the school, also include enabling the State University accommodate other facilities like: the medical college,(situated in Okuku-Yala LGA)and the faculty of law(at the Ogoja campus) and others. The have both been accredited.
This bill was passed after several public sessions were private citizens like Mr Peter Ikubunim and a number of others debated with members on the floor of the house and made critical input towards its actualization.
3) The Bill to introduce/ provision of the Teacher’s Institute.
Benefits: So that our teachers can have an equipped training center to improve educational activities in the state. With proper follow up, the state-of-the-art Teacher’s continuous training institute was built in Biase LGA. It is already being utilized to full capacity with teachers from all over the country being sent over for quality trainings and certifications.
4) The Bill to establish Ogoja Polytechnic, to be situated at the Ntol Comprehensive Abakpa, is underway. It has scaled through two hearings and will should be passed into law and assented by the state’s Chief Executive before the end of the current dispensation.
5) The Bill for the accreditation of School of Nursing/Nursing science in the State.
Which has fully been accredited.
6) The Cross River State appropriation Bill
7) Bill to amend Local Government Laws
8) The Autonomous Bill for the State House of Assembly.
9) The Bill for Privatisation of Government industries to Business/Private individuals.
With the above highlighted Bills passed by the current Leader of the House of Assembly it’s impressive to see how determined the Leader is willing to serve his people with an expansive and selfless spirit. He is focused, resilient, purposeful and result oriented.
CONSTITUENCY EMPOWERMENTS
One of Hon Peter Odey’s driving force is to be a people’s person- his ‘peoplecentricity’ is inherent or as our people say, “follow come”. Without a doubt, he has demonstrated his selflessness through several quality empowerment programs embarked upon over time. Most of his regular empowerment includes
a) He has been consistent in the payment of Bursaries to Ogoja students in the tertiary institutions in the state.
b) Yearly reach out to women and the less privileged with wrappers, food items and cash gifts.
c) In the area of sports, he encouraged the yearly festival football tournament in his constituency, and introduced a talent hunt that has seen three of the player’s building their football careers outside the shores of Nigeria. (International footballers)
d) During the phase of Covid-19, he reached out to numerous constituents, with food items, cash gifts etc, to those who lost their jobs and sources of livelihood as a result of the pandemic. He was a shoulder many families leaned on. He did it with so much love and respect for his people.
E) Festival Give-aways.
Hon Peter Odey doesn’t only look at educational aspects of his constituents but also encourages them in their long-age trade( Farming) which is common among them. He has given out numerous Agricultural implements to his constituents and also aided them with ‘mobility’, to aide in conveying their farm produce. He has gifted numerous motorcycles to farmers to enable them move their products. He encourages them with such gifts yearly, during their festivals when he joins them back home to celebrate with them.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Hon Peter Odey has facilitated several jobs, both at the Federal and state levels for his constituents and other Cross Riverians.
Jobs in both military and paramilitary, Federal universities and State universities and other federal parastatals including appointments of many in the CRS government.
In summary, Hon Peter Odey, is an energetic and pragmatic leader with so much experience and has the energy and much needed exposure to pilot the affairs of Leadership if given a higher opportunity.
He is a sincere leader who is consistent, pragmatic, goal driven, a compassionate and committed voice to governance, policy formulation with the sole agenda of Nation and state building. He is deserving of our continuous prayers and support.
Charity Ohotu is a public commentator and grassroots mobilizer.
