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WHY MRS ODOM IS THE BEST CANDIDATE WITH A PERFECT DEVELOPMENTAL BLUEPRINT

Published

5 years ago

September 2, 2020

By Cyril Ogar

As the battle for the Northern Cross River senatorial by-election to fill the vacant seat occasioned by the death of late Senator Rose Okoh continued to gather steam with over 15 aspirants declaring their interest to contest the snap by-election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC had canceled all elections, as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, by Extention political parties suspended their state congresses across the country. With the recent release of elections, time table across the country political heavyweights in Cross River State have started aligning and re-aligning to clinch the coveted senatorial ticket on different political party platforms.

Among the heavyweights, front line contestant is Chief Mrs. Martina Odom who was a former commissioner, Educationist, a former woman leader, former Commissioner in Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Abuja, and loyal party faithful.

A peep into Mrs. Odom’s background shows that she has carved a niche for herself, garnered experience in the political space of Cross River State. Mrs. Odom got her first political appointment as a member of the Cross River State Executive Council at a prime age of 27 years as the first female Commissioner in 1978.

Chief Mrs. Odom has served the State, in different capacities, as a member of various Boards of Parastatals, including Board Member Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to mention just a few.

Despite her early rise to political prominence, she has remained focused and resolute in the development of the average rural and urban people of Cross River State. During her constant tour of rural areas and her conversations with the people, she took it upon herself to address the educational challenges in Old Ogoja.

She rejected juicy job offers and appointments and decided to focus on human capital development with a switch into the classroom where she devoted 16 years of teaching, mentoring, and administration in public schools. She worked as a secondary school administrator in Comprehensive Secondary School Mfuma, Yala Secondary Commercial School, Okpoma and Holy Child Secondary School, Mount Carmel, Igoli-Ogoja.

In the mainstream of the Civil service, she rose to the peak serving as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, and later Ministry of Information, a position she held until her retirement from the Civil Service in 2008.

For over one year, Mrs. Odom worked under H.E Sen. Liyel Imoke, combining the two onerous roles of Permanent Secretary and Commissioner due to the prolonged hospitalization of the then substantive Commissioner in the ministry where she served.

POLITICAL JOURNEY

She took her first shot at field politics in 2007, where she contested for the House of Representatives to represent Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency. Again, in 2011, she made the second outing for the same seat. In both cases, she won the hearts of the people but respected the decisions of the party leadership. Mrs. Odom has nonetheless remained a steadfast, loyal, and committed party faithful.

Due to her vocal nature, in 2011, during the presidential campaign in Calabar, Chief Mrs. Martina Odom was the only female and one of the three others from the state that addressed the mammoth campaign crowd at the main bowl of the UJ Essuene Stadium, Calabar. Thrilled by her eloquence, boldness, and brilliance, she was nominated for a Ministerial appointment, by the then governor, His Excellency, Sen. Liyel Imoke, the first female in state history to be so honored. This was truncated by political schemers and manipulations after she had gone through the whole process of screening.

In 2012, she was again nominated by His Excellency Sen. Imoke and appointed by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to represent Cross River State at the Revenue Mobilization Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Abuja, a position she occupied for five years. Again this goes to prove the depth of confidence and trust that the Governor had in the capability of this woman, Chief Mrs. Martina Odom.

Mrs. Odom was a delegate who represented Yala Local Government, at the PDP National Conventions, twice in Abuja and once in Port Harcourt. She has always served in the major Campaign Committees of all the Governors she had worked with, from Donald Duke, Sen. Liyel Imoke, and Sir, Prof. Ben Ayade. Her polling unit and ward are red flags to other candidates as she continues to deliver results for her party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It can unequivocally be said that Mrs. Odom has paid her dues in the politics of Cross River State.

MRS. ODOM’S GOALS

Mrs. Odom understands the workings of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its potential to transform the lives of her people and this puts her ahead of other contenders for the exalted position of Senator representing Cross River North. Through careful study and research of the challenges facing the district, she has identified the problems and proffers “the HOW”.

Fundamental To Her Manifesto Is Infrastructural Development And SDG Goal

The people of Northern Cross River are known to be hardworking, despite the enormous challenges they face on a daily basis and never cease to be productive. However, the current state of infrastructures to support productivity and development is aged, degraded, and non-existence. It is a generally accepted saying that infrastructural developments remain the key to solving economic challenges of which its lack has greatly affected Cross North growth.

Chief Mrs. Odom’s strategy to transform the region is first working with relevant stakeholder groups to identify the most pressing needs and address them speedily. It is a recurring decimal that communities in Northern Cross River do have similar challenges ranging from lack of transportation, energy, water, internet, and basic sanitation infrastructures that are critical to bringing about sustainable economic growth and certainly answered aged long questions. Furthermore, tackling infrastructural challenges present great opportunities for businesses and individuals to thrive and collectively contribute their quota to developing the District.

ACHIEVEMENTS

It is necessary to note that Mrs. Odom’s appointments had all been State and Federal appointments, so she was answerable, primarily to the State and Federal Government, with her Constituency in focus.

EMPLOYMENT: In her tenure as a member of the State Executive Council, Mrs. Odom had the opportunity of influencing the employment of several young men and women spread across all the Local Government Areas of the State (Akwa Ibom/Cross River) whenever opportunities availed, essentially based on merit and fair distribution. She has recommended and influenced the employment of over eight hundred (800) Northern Cross River sons and daughters in both federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) based on merit. Almost four of such persons have risen to the rank of directors in the various ministries, departments, and agencies.

EMPOWERMENT: Chief Mrs. Martina Odom has been at the forefront of women and youth empowerment in the area of Tailoring, Tiling, Plumbing work, Aluminum work (Alumaco), Electricals works, and provision of funds for micro-businesses. She has also supported sporting activities and the entertainment sector to harness the potentials of the youths. With her rich background in theater arts, she knows the potentials in the creative industry hence her continuous support for the youths.

SOME OTHER PROJECTS INITIATED BY CHIEF MRS ODOM

THE RADIO BOOSTER STATION: During her tenure as director of information, she was worried that her constituents were not properly reached and informed about the State Government programs and policies. To avoid misinformation, she initiated the establishment of the Radio Booster Station in Ugaga. She did this based on identified needs and suitability of the project.

As Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mrs. Martina Odom carried out quite a good number of developmental projects in different parts of the State. The emphasis, however, will be placed on the projects she attracted to old Ogoja.

-She facilitated the certification of the Cross River State Cooperative Bank with all its attendant economic benefits to the State.

-She established a Works Unit at Ogoja, well equipped with heavy earth moving equipment which was used to open up and rehabilitate rural roads across the State. Several rural roads were opened, rehabilitated in virtually all the Local Government Areas of the State during Mrs. Odom’s tenure as Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives. Among them are the following few in the defunct Ukelle Local Government Area:

-Construction of the 8km road from Ipollo to Ijibollo road in South Ukelle.

-Construction of a 4km link road between Ijiraga and Ebo, to reduce the pain of the very bad stretch of the road from Yahe to Ebo.

-Construction of the 8km road from Ekwok Market in Wanokom to Agbe River.

PROVISION OF PIPE BORNE WATER: Several boreholes were installed all over the state through her. She ensured villages that had no source of drinking water get one.

TELEVISION PYLON: In her time as Permanent Secretary, a Television mast was installed in the ranch to strengthen the airwaves and improve the CRBC signals at the Ranch resort.

CIVIC CENTRE/SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRE: Mrs. Odom even after her retirement from the Civil Service was still very concerned about the welfare of her people. She influenced the construction of a Skills/Acquisition center in Wanokom with the primary aim of training youth in different skills and equipping them with tools after the training. This is to make them self-reliant, stem the rural-urban drift and to keep them out of crime

Chief Mrs. Martina Odom was more than a typical 7: am to 3: pm Principal. In the 16 years, she managed schools, she was deeply involved in the welfare of both her students and staff alike because of her belief that this has a direct impact on their productivity.

DEVELOPMENTAL BLUEPRINT

Having been born, schooled, and worked in Yala and Ogoja, (The headquarters of the Northern Senatorial District) in all her formative and impressionable years, she has a sound knowledge of the people, their problems, and their needs. From broad-based interactions, she also knew their potentials; tapped and untapped. She particularly appreciates the needs and yearnings of the youths through the privileged opportunity of having been a school administrator in both Yala and Ogoja for 16 whole years.

Despite this, she has been having regular interface with her constituents by holding quarterly town hall meetings which afford her the opportunity to directly hear from the people themselves what their pressing pains are. Consequently, underneath are some of the pressing issues which she hopes to address if elected into the Red Chamber:

BOUNDARY DEMARCATION: The Northern and Western boundaries of the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River (Benue and Ebonyi State) respectively, have witnessed deadly clashes, almost on a yearly basis resulting in the loss of valuable human lives and destruction of properties. The aim is clearly to annex Cross River land. Being a victim of such a crisis, losing close family members, and total razzing down of her home, and that of many others, she will work assiduously with her colleagues, the National Boundary Commission, Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the Presidency and any other relevant MDA to put pressure on them to have the boundaries in these two locations demarcated once and for all and so put to an end the needless bloodletting.

POOR STATE OF FEDERAL ROADS: The total abandonment of Federal roads in the State, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, is a major cause of many fatal road accidents and serious economic setbacks to the people of the District. She will spend quality time lobbying the relevant MDAs to draw their attention to this problem and ensure the inclusion of these roads in the budget, and their execution. Roads such as Yahe-Wanokom-Benue Road, Alifokpa-Benue Road, Sections of Mbok-Abakpa-Bekwara Road, etc. Intra-state roads will not be left out as she will ensure they are captured in the constituency projects.

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTHS: It is common knowledge that there is an escalation of crime in our society today. At the center of these crimes are young men and women, some of them brilliant graduates, without jobs to occupy their time and engage their energies. It is believed that if this segment of the population can be effectively engaged in decent and lucrative businesses/jobs they will not risk their lives in these very dangerous crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, prostitution, and cultism, etc. To this end, she will engage the services of experts to impart their knowledge to our youths and women and after the training equip, them with tools to make them self-reliant.

EDUCATION: As part of her educational support initiative, she will sponsor an inter-school competition among schools in the district. Handsome prices and gift items will be given to the schools and students. Similarly, she will also work with institutions of learning to identify students with overall academic performance and avail them of scholarships. She will, in addition, assist needy students to register for their SSCE/NECO examinations, obtain their JAMB forms, and provide scholarships/bursaries to enable them to attain their academic quests.

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGOJA: She will garner robust support for the establishment of the University of Technology Ogoja in support of the bill moved by Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom in the Green Chamber. She is no doubt the most qualified candidate and the popular choice of the people of the District.

They are no doubt that, Chief Mrs. Martina Ikedie Odom. aka. MIDO is the most, influential and well-prepared woman contesting for the upcoming Cross River Northern Senatorial District by-election, she is a well-articulated woman with many pedigrees.

No wonder she is the most loved candidate amongst her fellow contestants. Having gone through her antecedents, u will agree with me that, it is an established fact that her track records speak volumes.

Cyril Ogar A Journalists, Public Analyst writes from Abuja

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Presidency Refutes Afenifere’s Deceitful Statement on President Bola Tinubu’s Midterm:

Published

2 days ago

June 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Chief Sunday Dare

The statement from a factional Afenifere group raises serious concerns about a penchant and deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit instead of objectivity. The group has found it challenging to accept that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway.

The rebellious Afenifere claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past two years has witnessed a regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.

This is a jaundiced view, echoing the view of opposition politicians, one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.

A balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture, with significant achievements amid the challenges expected from a country like Nigeria with decades-old problems.

Beyond its confounding conclusions based on prejudice, the statement raises the following issues. With the ensuing point-by-point clarification, it will become clear that the group’s position is neither grounded in facts nor logic.

Economic Reforms and Their Impact

The factional Afenifere’s claim that Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, have led to “unmitigated sufferings” and “economic deforms” seeks to draw attention to some of the challenges but overlooks the macroeconomic gains. The removal of the fuel subsidy, announced on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, reducing fiscal strain and redirecting funds to other sectors. Unifying the foreign exchange market and the naira’s floatation aimed to address distortions in the currency market, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Food inflation, the most significant component of the inflation basket, remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

While these figures indicate stabilisation, the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians is not lost. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is a credible outreach.

However, dismissing the twin policies as “unforced errors” ignores the unsustainable nature of the previous subsidy regime and multiple exchange rate systems, which were draining public finances. A more balanced critique would acknowledge the necessity of reform while emphasising the need for better-targeted social safety nets.

As of today, the Tinubu administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND, N70,000 minimum wage, NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000, Free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, leading to a significant drop in transport costs. The administration also recorded over $10 Billion FX debt cleared, Federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

The administration also disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers, over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction under the renewed Hope cities program launched across Nigeria, N200 Billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors. Other gains: over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years), over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as at April was down to 23.17%.

It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time.

Cost of Governance and the Oronsaye Report

The assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs is inaccurate. The Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented and has drawn criticisms; it must be noted, however, that the administration has made some efforts to improve fiscal discipline. The fiscal deficit was reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These steps demonstrate fiscal prudence and will eventually translate into immediate, tangible relief for citizens. The administration is working earnestly to address these optics and prioritise cost-cutting measures, including implementing the Oronsaye Report, to restore public trust.

Allegations of Prebendalism and Corruption

Afenifere’s claim that the administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations is questionable. Reports of palliatives being mismanaged or distributed through unverified channels have no doubt surfaced, raising concerns about transparency.

The administration has taken steps against corruption, such as suspending Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in January 2024 over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability. Critics may argue that more systemic action is needed, but dismissing all the efforts as propaganda overlooks these initial steps.

Without abusing Presidential powers, the administration is working on expediting action on all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. At the same time, critical agencies are collating credible evidence on ongoing corruption litigations. It must, however, be noted that in 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a record-breaking 4,111 convictions, marking its most successful year since its inception. They recovered over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies, including $214.5 Million, $54,318.64, and 31,265 Euros.

The EFCC achieved its single most significant asset recovery in 2025, with the final forfeiture of an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 725 units of duplexes and other apartments. The EFCC concluded the final forfeiture and handed the estate to the Ministry of Housing in May 2025.

Democratic Concerns and Centralisation

Afenifere’s accusation that the Tinubu administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions is unsupported and lacks merit. The claim of neutralising the legislature and judiciary is also a false alarm.

The public should note that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia, suggesting judicial independence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for allegedly appointing individuals said to be ruling party affiliates, but no evidence confirms these appointees are card-carrying APC members.

The allegation that the Tinubu government cracks down on peaceful protesters is primarily unfounded. It is a regurgitated rhetoric deployed under previous administrations as a reflection of broader challenges in Nigeria’s democratic culture.

The issue of the State Police is more complex than the oversimplified approach of the factional Afenifere’s statement. Every administration policy is subject to security impact assessment before implementation, and there is a difference between the State Police being widely advocated and a Police State that critics may blame the Federal Government for if implemented without caution.

Security and Social Welfare

Contrary to the impression created, the administration’s security record is impressive. Over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year, though there is still some news of abductions and violent attacks. The administration’s proactive response to security-related matters has paved the way for more farmers to return to their farms, impacting food production and supply.

The administration also embarked on agricultural initiatives, including tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.

The government has also not relented on its Regional Development drive as the administration succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across 6 Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments.

Political Climate and 2027 Elections
The claims of government-sponsored conflicts within opposition parties lack concrete evidence and should be ignored.

Economic reforms are undoubtedly laying the foundation for long-term stability, with GDP growth at 4.6% in Q4 2024 and a Fitch B credit rating upgrade as evidence. Moody’s Investors Service’s latest upgrade of Nigeria’s rating from Caa1 to B3, with a Stable Outlook, indicates that the Tinubu administration is on the right path.

The government is not oblivious to some discontent and difficult times among Nigerians. There is an urgency to deliver more tangible results, which is guaranteed given the impressive performance of the administration in just two years.

Afenifere’s statement saw the cup as half empty. On the contrary, it’s half full. Under President Tinubu’s administration, some of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems are being tackled headlong.

The administration has achieved fiscal improvements, such as reduced deficits and increased revenues, which will eventually translate into meaningful microeconomic relief for most Nigerians in the short term, even as the government moves to address these issues with greater empathy and transparency.

The administration’s demonstrable priorities are securing the nation, fixing the economy, and improving human capital development.

Responsible citizens and political leaders must work collaboratively with the administration to address the challenges and counter disinformation, as highlighted in the admonition against fake news and deceptive AI videos.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and

expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results. With improved security, regional inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and institutional rebuilding, Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete — but it is firmly underway.

– Sunday Dare is the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Media and Public Communications.

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