I’m embarrassed at the low intellectual acumen of Minister from  Rivers State –Wike

* They’re more intellectually qualified Rivers indigene that represent us in Federal Executive Council

Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt

The Rivers State governor described as an aberration the appointment of someone without requisite intellectual acumen to represent the State as a Minister in the Federal Executive Council.

Wike who spoke for first time about the newly sworn Ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari two days ago, took a swipe at the appointment of the Udi Odum, the Minister of State, for Environment.

According Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant Media to Governor Wike, he made the observation while swearing in the five newly appointed Commissioners.

On intellectual capacity of the newly sworn in Minister of State for Environment Wike said: “I have never seen an embarrassment like that in my life. Yes, you must appoint those who are loyal, but educated people are also loyal. It has never happened in our State. Everything cannot be politics. The image of the State is key.” 

However, findings by our Correspondent show that Udi Odum who was once Chairman of Abua/Odual local government area in 2003. After a one-year as Chairman, he gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt to study Management. But his people, amongst whom he lived, yearned for his leadership. In 2008, he was elected chairman of Abua/Odual LGA.

In 2009, graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a Bachelors degree in  Management Sciences. He continued his studies. In 2012, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Management. 

It would be noted that he studied for his Postgraduate Diploma in Management while 2011, he was re-elected executive chairman of the local government area. In recognition of his exemplary services, the state decorated him as the Best-Performing local Government Chairman in 2008/2009.

He was also a two-time award-winning Executive Council Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area. He was also appointed three times as Caretaker Committee Chairman of the same Council by the State Government.

Odum Udi is a champion of community organizing. Hungry for self-improvement, he continued his studies. In 2012, he earned a postgraduate diploma in Management.