Former Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the first administration of Governor Akeredolu, Princess Oladunni Odu has been appointed as the first female Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
It was gathered that she was the second female to occupy such sensitive position in the southwestern Nigeria since the inception of democracy in 1999.
Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun of Oyo State is the first female to bagged such position in the southwestern Nigeria.
Recall that SUBEB in Ondo State under Odu topped Akeredolu’s achievements in his first administration in the state.
Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu who was born on 29th December, 1952 in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. She attended St. Louis Secondary School, Ondo from 1964 to 1968. She became a graduate of Sociology at the University of Benin with Second-Class, Upper Division in the year 1979 having obtained a National Diploma Degree, in Secretariat Studies in 1973 from Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Upon completion of her National Youth Service Corp assignment at the Federal Civil Service Commission, Anambra State Ministry of Information in 1980, she joined the services of the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity, where she worked for solid 10years.
Princess Oladunni Odu proceeded to the University of Calabar where she obtained Master of Science in Industrial Sociology. She also had a Bachelor’s Degree of Law from the University of Lagos in 1989 with Second- Class, Upper Division. Bachelor of Law from Nigeria Law School in 1990 equally with Second-Class, Upper Division and a distinction in Master of Law (LLM) from University of Lagos (1992). She is currently undergoing her PhD at the University of Ado-Ekiti.
Princess Oladunni Odu, as an Astute Politician, was the Commissioner for Education, Ondo State (1995-1999), Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ondo State (January1999 to May 1999), Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from September 2003 – February, 2009.
In 2013, she was appointed Director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba; a position she held till 2015. Princess Oladunni Odu was appointed the Federal commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Akure in 2015.
She was again appointed the Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, by the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in October, 2017 to March 2021.
Presently, Princess Oladunni Odu has just be appointed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the Secretary to the State Government SSG in his second term administration.
She has served in so many committees and as well received various awards to her credit. Some of these are:
Award of Honour for meritorious service by the Public Compliant Commission 2018
Omoluabi Award of Excellence by the National Council of Women Societies 2018
Patron, Nigerian Bar Association 2017
Ondo State Female role model award by Heros Magazine 2017
Award of Excellence by International Inner Wheel 2017
Distinguished Award by Association of Professional women Engineers- 2017
Award of recognition by Ikale Progessive by Ikale Progressive Association, Abuja 2017
Award of Excellence by LXG 2012
Award of Excellence for progressive stride in Education,
social and Private Circle by the Law Student Society by Adekunle Ajasin University 2011
Positive Leader Award by Positive Organization (FRCN, ondo) – 2003
Member, Policy and Planning committee Ondo State – 2003
Florence Nightingale’s Award, Ondo State 1997
JajaAmachree’s Award of the Faculty of Law ,
University of Lagos 1986-1987
National School Fund Prize, University of Lagos – 1988-1989
Vice Chancellor’s Prize for the Best performance
at the Degree Level, University of Lagos. – 1988-1989
Chief C.E. Abebe Prize for the Best All Round
Final Year Student, University of Lagos – 1983-1989
President of the Police Officer’s Wives Association,
Cross River Chapter. 1981-1983
President of the Police Officer’s Wives Association ,
Enugu chapter 1980
Princess Odu was conferred the honour of Dame by the Methodist Church of Nigeria in 2013.
Her hobbies include: Reading, Swimming and travelling.
Presently, Princess Oladunni Odu has just be appointed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the Secretary to the State Government SSG in his second term administration.
Mike Kuwoye,
S.A to Princess Odu
Media and Publicity.
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