In a build-up to party primary elections for various political offices, many qualified Igede indigenes came out with mouth-watering articles on social media platforms. Myekeemedia did an unedited collection of some articles found on Facebook in May 2022.
In a clime where the political class places premium on popularity and hanker after the limelight to gain cheap ones, silent achievers like Chief (Hon.) Peter Oboh Egbodo who do not seek approbation for their giant strides are considered outsiders. Handy, nonetheless, is his personal profile encapsulating his education, career and public life.
Born into the humble but noble family of Late Pa Paul Egbodo Agwu of Okpenehi Ada-Iyeche and Mama Lydia Eko Agwu of Odaleko Anchim-Iyeche, Chief (Hon.) Peter Oboh Egbodo was an early riser. Though he did not have a decent shot at life unlike many of his mates who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, he perceived education to be a veritable route to success and started his primary education at St. John’s Primary School, Okpenehi, in 1971, before he later transferred to Christ the King Primary School, Anchimogbo in 1977.
Thereafter, young Egbodo proceeded to Gajir City High School, Abunde Lessel, in the present-day Ushongo LGA, where he completed his secondary education in 1982.
At a time when the secondary school education was accompanied with gratifying benefits, the burning ambition for higher education left him with no choice than to proceed to the famous Federal School of Arts and Science, Ogoja, in Cross River State for a learning experience between 1982 and 1983.
In 1983, he gained admission into the prestigious University of Jos, Jos to read Political Science from where he graduated in 1987. As is mandatory for every Nigerian graduate and pass through the NYSC scheme, he donated one year out of his youthful life in service to his country in the old Anambra State in 1988.
In furtherance of his education to postgraduate citadel, he enrolled into the Benue State University, Makurdi in 2002 where he bagged Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Administration in 2005.
Not done, because of his sustained love for knowledge and expertise relevant for optimum contributions to the society, in 2019 he faced the rigours of Ph.D degree in Nasarawa State University, Lafia, a degree he is still pursuing.
Twenty years before enrolling for PhD, in 1990, he took up a temporary teaching appointment with St. Francis College, Otukpo, where he taught Economics, Government and Commerce. Due to his highly rated pedagogical principles and sterling performance, his appointment with the Benue State Teaching Service Board was confirmed in 1991 on the recommendation of the school management that considered him as an asset to maximise.
Amidst short supply of diligent workers who were honest and honest workers who were diligent, public and private sectors jostled for his rare blend of honesty and capacity. His much desired service to TSB was consequently curtailed when, in 1992, he was appointed Supervisory Councillor in charge of Finance by the then Chairman of Oju LGC, Late Hon. Jonathan Oga, a position he held until 1993 when the military took over power in Nigeria.
In line with the enduring ancient truth that a gold fish has no hiding place, Egbodo was being scouted for higher positions of trust while discharging his duty as Supervisory Councillor and was employed thereafter by the defunct National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in 1993. He was, not long after, deployed to NAPEP, Benue and Kogi State offices on the strength of the character and competence he exuded in the course of his work.
Since then, he has continued to float on the wings of character and competence. He has worked in the office of the Secretary to the government of the federation, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and currently works at the Ministry of Interior as Director, Joint Services Department.
Peter Oboh Egbodo is a lover of his people and as such never shies away from community development services. He has contributed in several ways to the improvement of the material and social conditions of the people of his immediate community, for example the electrification of the Anchimogbo community of Oju LGA, the grading of the Anchimogbo-Odubwo-Okpenehi road, establishment of garri processing plant and drilling of boreholes in strategic localities.
He has equally extended job opportunities to a good number of youths in military and paramilitary agencies. He is a very warm, receptive and cheerful fellow who does not believe in dull moments. If ever there is a thing to fault him for, it is his aversion to gratuitous showiness and cheap popularity which are the order of the day.
He possesses adroit oratory prowess that meshes nicely with his outstanding wits, yet discerns when to talk and when not to, selecting his words with great wisdom.
In recognition of his sterling personality, humanitarian services and community development efforts, Iyeche Traditional Council, the apex socio-cultural body in the ancestral home of the Igede people, on 14th November, 2020, conferred on him a chieftaincy title as Ogirigba 1 of Iyeche.
Based on his milestones outside the corridors of power, he was offered to the Igede people in 2019 for the House of Representatives seat under the platform of APC to attract greater dividends of democracy to Igede. Incidentally, the Obi people of the Constituency were pleading for the very term of office to balance up power equation, thus had his mandate rescheduled for 2023.
His peaceful handling of the resolve was reputed as uncommon sportsmanship, and not without other candidates recommended to borrow a leaf from his disposition to power contest and political leadership.
Chief Egbodo abhors lies, false pretence, and injustice, and embraces a less sharply partisan brand of politics devoid of rancour and vilification, such a type that is clearly pro-masses and pro-development.
He is happily married to Mrs Naomi Ayegwu Ogoji from Ikachi and they are blessed with children.
Very importantly, humility is his watchword; hence go his favorite quotes by John Wooden and C. J. Walker: “Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man-given, be grateful. Conceit is self-given, be careful.” “I am not ashamed of my past, I am not ashamed of my humble beginning.”
Chief (Hon.) Peter Egbodo has obtained and submitted the House of Representatives Interest and Nomination Forms to represent Oju/Obi Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress and is being rooted for by the stakeholders of the party and members of the educated public.
According to multitude of analysts and opinion holders across the Constituency, a support for Egbodo is not only a support for zoning system but also a support for credible, reliable, transparent, accountable and effective representation for the common good of the generality of the people.
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