Ode to Peter Odili’s Impactful Life at 73

For an outstanding reformer, resilient politician, and towering General, the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili’s life, legacy, and 73rd birthday today; is one hinged on grace, peace, humanity, the audacity of belief, fortitude, dedication, and compassion, writes Adedayo Adejobi

The date of birth of this great man is very symbolic. He was born on 15th August 1948 in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, to Chief Philip Celestine and Princess Janet Okwei Odili, who may never have imagined the great heights their sone was destined to attain. His birth is a special date for outstanding leaders endowed with general skills, especially leadership and interpersonal effectiveness.

From the day Peter Odili was enrolled in St. Michael’s School, Oguta II and Sacred Heart School, Onitsha, between 1953 and 1960, to the time he passed through the famous Christ the King College in Onitsha and the prestigious University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he studied Medicine, one thing was evident- he was destined for greatness.

In Chinese tradition, 73 is a symbol of the Moon, happiness, and energy. It is the number of humanitarianism, tolerance, and intuition. But it’s more than just that. The number 73 represents includes tolerance, philanthropy, and intuition- all these, Peter Odili embodies with grace, style, and panache.

The Spiritual significance of 73 years which relates to faith and fortune, is a blend of energies and qualities of spiritual awakening, enlightenment, confidence, inspiration, growth, expansion, principles of increase, encouragement, harmony, discernment, inner-wisdom and inner-knowing, determination, and persistence of purpose, understanding, and perfection.
As the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, clocks 73 today, a powerfully spiritual number, the stars align with him and this is an indication that he is set to reach a new intuition, insight, faith, trust, the realm of peace, clarity, and love within, as he reflects on his life journey with the love and support of the angels, Archangels and Ascended Masters.

For him, this is definitely not the best of times to celebrate or mark birthday, having recently lost his elder brother, Chief Fidelis Odili, to the cold hands of death. Buried penultimate Saturday, the devastation of the loss is still very fresh for him to bear. Family sources revealed that the former goveror was very close to his brother that if the two of them could live forever together for life, why not.

Considering his unassuming mien, and self-effacing nature, ideally, Peter Odili, would wish his birthday went unnoticed, but the world doesn’t forget one of its most important leaders and one of its finest human beings.

Not given to vain-glory, his impressive consummate professional accomplishments, political clout, and humanitarian proclivities, history recognises him as a champion for human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation. Indeed, he is a man of uncommon grace and compassion, for whom abandoning bitterness and embracing adversaries is not just a political strategy but a way of life.

It is very instructive to underscore the goodness, clemency, and generosity that have spelled his life in these 73 years. On the role call of good men, Peter Odili is indeed is very outstanding, and he brings Christian clemency and brotherly charity to a profound appreciation and significance.
Across private and public spheres of influence, he makes himself the soothing balm to people’s pain.

In many and several ways, he identifies with the appalling sufferings of the needy. His activities proclaim and echo what the love of God and neighbour provokes.
Blessed with an impeccable and industrious amazon as a wife, Her Lordship, Justice Mary Ukeago Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court with whom he wedded at a very young age and blessed with four children, the former Governor found a soulmate, companion, friend, helpmate, and collaborator.

He is a leader that strongly proves that charity begins at home. His peaceful marriage of more than five decades to his lovely wife of inestimable value is a testimony to his effective deployment of the general skills of leadership and interpersonal effectiveness maritally.
Indeed, Odili has ample reasons to be happy. His life has been strewn with God’s abundant grace and mercies. The years he has spent on earth have been eventful and full of achievements that many, including his peers, only dream of.

His strong passion for a life of fulfillment to humanity is best captured by his legendary philanthropic imprints, the countless number of persons he helped; the school fees he has paid; the hospital bills and house rents he assists in paying; the land, the many community disputes he helped resolve and the broken homes he salvaged, are mere minuscule glimpses of his philanthropy. His legacies demonstrate the fact he is a man of foresight, unusual commitment, and love of good deeds. Peter Odili’s exemplary success in almost all spheres is a confirmation that he is a natural leader, no wonder he’s been quiet for a while, yet remained politically relevant and dependable despite the fact he sparingly interferes with politics and governance of Rivers State.

What differentiates him from many other political leaders is that before, during, and after politics, he is always with his people. As a politician, he remains one of the very few detribalised Nigerian politicians who play and practice politics of ideology and national rebirth.

Completing his mandatory internship at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, he moved on to be a Resident Staff Physician, Medical Consultation Centre, Port Harcourt, between 1979 and 1980.

In 1980, he took on the challenge of establishing his private medical practice, PAMO Clinics 1980, serving as its Resident Clinician-in-Charge between 1980 and 1982.
Unrelenting and eager to add some lustre to his academic laurels, he went in pursuit of a specialist programme at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. It was an opportunity for him to hone his skills, and so he grabbed it. Acquiring the requisite knowledge, his proficiency in Medicine made him a hot-cake in Port Harcourt, around the country, and beyond.

Seest thou a man diligent in his works, he shall stand before kings and not mere men. His expertise in the medical field, saw him emerge as the personal nominee of the former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, to a 10-member roundtable committee charged with the responsibility of formulating the methodology for addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in the workplace in Africa.

Medicine, being a means to an end and not his final destination, his versatility showed he couldn’t be pigeon-holed. He strongly believed his experience and leadership qualities must be deployed in serving his people. Public service, for him, was the best way to prove that he can replicate his knowledge of medicine in the field of politics and governance.

In 1988/89, Odili was elected member and leader of Rivers State Delegates to the Constituent Assembly and was elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Chairman of the Conference Committee on State Creation. In 1992, he was elected as the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. At the peak of the struggle for the laying of the foundation for the Fourth Republic, Odili first served as National Vice Chairman (South-south) Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), and later as National Secretary. He was Founder and Leader of Rivers Platform, 1998; Founder and Leader, Restoration Team as well as the State Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); elected Executive Governor of Rivers State in 1999 and served two terms.

It was in that capacity that he took the country by storm and became a reference point in the nation’s political calculations. He was at various times the National Chairman, PDP Fund Raising Committee (2000); and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal (2001).
To date, even his ardent critics concede to the fact that his stint in office yielded stellar accomplishments that have till date remained a yardstick for measuring performance in that resource-rich state. Before him, substantial parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, were not connected to the national grid.

The National Independent Power Project (NIPP) which later became a federal fad had Odili, in his capacity as governor of Rivers State, as one of its pioneers. Before him, also, Government House, the seat of the Governor, was no better than a guest house and that’s being charitable. He built a grand and befitting edifice that remains a major architectural landmark. Some landmark projects and policies of his administration are there today as Odili’s legacy of excellence in governance.

One positive part of the Odili phenomenon is his kindness and large-warmheartedness as well as mentoring successors. Last year, in contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction, Reagents, and Busters for RT-PCR COVID-19 Test, to the state government for use at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, whilst he also announced the donation of PCR Test Machine and three thousand test kits and reagents by Pamo Clinics and Hospitals to enhance the fight against the virus. Through sheer hard work and diligence, he is actualising his destiny as a leader, a philanthropist of note and a devout Christian, who impacts lives, lifts many families out of poverty. Time and posterity will not fail to recognise his enduring service to humanity.
When history speaks of the very best examples of humanity, it will speak of Peter Odili. His life is dedicated to the greater good. He holds strong beliefs and does not give up on his dreams. He is a driving force for change and cares for the well-being of others. The world today celebrates his fortitude, dedication, and compassion.