News

Former information minister, John Odey, dies in Dubai

Published

6 years ago

October 7, 2018

A former minister in the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Environment , Mr . John Odey , has died in Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Odey was said to have died on Sunday after being hospitalised for several weeks over suspected cancer .

The former minister was reportedly flown to Dubai following deterioration in his health after battling with cancer for a long time .

In his reaction , Governor Ben Ayade , in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary , Mr . Christian Ita, expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former minister , adding that the news of his demise was depressing.

He described Odey ’ s departure as a monumental loss to the government and people of Cross River State.

Ayade said , “ We have lost an illustrious son , a good ambassador of Cross River . Our state is in shock . Cross River is grieving because Odey ’ s death is a huge loss to our dear state .

“ The pain of Odey ’ s demise is too heavy in my heart to bear . ”

Eulogising the virtues of the late minister , Ayade recalled that Odey was a patriot who meticulously discharged the duties assigned to him creditably .

“ Not only was Odey a loyal party man of the PDP family , he was a quintessential gentleman and a team player whose imprints as the party ’ s National Publicity Secretary and later , Minister of Environment , are there for everyone to see , ” the governor added .

Odey was a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party .

He also served as a treasurer of the party in Cross River State as well as Commissioner for Agriculture .

He was appointed Minister of Information and Communications in July 2007 , and became Minister of Environment in December 2008 after the then President Umaru Yar ’ Adua reshuffled his cabinet .

Odey had a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Calabar in 1986 .

He was born on November 1 , 1959 .