Nigerian politician and professor (born 1952)
Ngozi Nma Odu (born 19 October 1952) is a Nigerian politician who is 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]
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.[4] She also holds a master's degree in Food Science and Management from the 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.[3]
Career
Odu rose through the ranks in the Rivers State Ministry of Health to the post of permanent secretary from 1999 to 2006.[3][5] In January 2006, Odu was appointed the Rivers State Commissioner of Education by the former governor of the state, Peter Odili.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9] Before her election as deputy governor, Odu was the Director of Academic Planning, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State.[5]
See also
References