Chuka Odom

Chuka Odom (born October 19, 1960) is a Nigerian lawyer and 2015 People's Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for Governor of Imo State. He was Commissioner for Special Duties between 2003 - 2007, in Abia State, Federal Minister of State for Environment, Housing and Urban Development from December 2007 to May 2009 and then Minister of state for FCT (Federal Capital Territory, Abuja), a post he held until October 2010.

Julius Chuka Odom
Chuka Odom portrait
Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Governor of Abia State
In office
1999–2001
Deputy Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor
In office
2001–2003
Commissioner for Special Duties, Abia State
In office
2003–2007
Preceded byElizabeth Uhuegbu
Minister of State, for Environment, Housing and Urban Development
In office
2007–2009
Preceded byRahman Mimiko
Succeeded byGrace Ekpiwhre
Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory
In office
2009–2010
Preceded bySen. John James Akpanudoedehe
Succeeded byNavy Capt. Omoniyi Caleb O.
Personal details
Born (1960-10-19) 19 October 1960
Abia State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Spouse(s)Lady Adaku Celine Odom
Children8
ResidenceImo State, Abuja
Alma materSt. Michael’s Primary School, Umuahia, Abia State.
Immaculate Conception Seminary Ahia-Eke, Umuahia.
Imo State University.
OccupationPolitician; Lawyer

Childhood and Education

Odom was born in Ikeduru in Imo state on 19 October 1960[1] to the family of Sir Tobias Odom and Lady Irene Odom (née Onyerindu).[2] He started his educational journey at St. Michael's Primary School, Umuahia, Abia State between 1971 and 1974. He also attended Immaculate Conception Seminary Ahia-Eke, Umuahia in 1974 and obtained his A’Level Certificate in 1980. Thereafter, he proceeded to Imo State University to study Law. He earned a Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons) in 1981 and attended Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1986.[3]

Career and Politics

Odom started his career as Counsel-in-chamber at Tagbo Nwogu & Co Legal practitioners, Aba, Abia State between 1988 and 1990 and later Established Chuka Odom & Co, Legal Practitioners in 1990.

Odom ventured into politics in 1999 when he served as a campaign strategist for Orji Uzor Kalu's 1999 gubernatorial campaign and was appointed as Special Adviser, Special Duties to the former governor between 1999 and 2001.[4] He later rose to become the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioner for Special Duties, Abia State and between May 2007 to September 2007 he was made the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban Planning Imo State Government.[5]

He became Honourable Minister of State for Environment, Housing and Urban Development of the Federal republic of Nigeria in 2007 - 2009[6][7] and later became the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory between 2009 and 2010.[8][9][10] He vied unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives seat for Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Imo State in 2011.[11]

In the 2015 general election, he declared his interest to run for the Governor of Imo state[12][13][14] with an inclusive government[15][16] if elected but lost the party nomination ticket to Emeka Ihedioha who later lost out to Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressive Congress at the 2015 gubernatorial election. After the 2019 general election in Imo state with the emergence of Emeka Ihedioha as the state governor, he was announced as a member of the transition committee.[17][18][19][20][21]

Personal life

Odom married Lady Adaku Celine Odom, (née Nwakibu) the Managing Director of The Lifestyle Group in 1990 and together they have 8 children.[2][22]

References
  1. Udo, Mary (17 January 2017). "ODOM, Chief Chuka Julius". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  2. Admin. "Nigeria: Adaku Chuka-Odom Hits Golden Age". All Africa. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  3. "Ex-minister picks governorship form". The Nation Newspaper. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  4. Admin (6 September 2019). "Nigeria: The Encyclopedia of New Ministers". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Alred, Lanre. "Nigeria: 'I Ran Away From the Seminary' - Hon. Chuka Odom". All Africa. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  6. Baffour, Katherine (25 March 2013). "Imo Deputy Governor's Impeachment: A Hollow Ritual Or Set Up? – Chuka Odom". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  7. Godwin, Ameh Comrade (24 April 2017). "Buhari punishing Ndigbo over 2015 election – Ex-Minister, Odom". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  8. "WHY IGBO FEEL MARGINALISED –Ex-Minister Odom". The Sun Nigeria. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  9. "Awa Kalu, SAN a cherished diamond at 60". Vanguard News. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  10. "Govs Forum, ex-minister clash over Abuja building". The Sun Nigeria. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  11. "Jonathan 2015: seek amendment to constitution – Odom". Independent Television/Radio. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  12. "Odom joins Imo guber race". www.imostateonline.com. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  13. "2015: 22 for governor in Imo PDP". The Nation Newspaper. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  14. "Understanding the Guber Imbroglio in Imo State". P.M. News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  15. Uzoma, Johnkennedy; Owerri (18 October 2014). "I will run an inclusive government in Imo – Odom". Daily Trust. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  16. Nwachukwu, Emeka. "Nigeria: Chuka Odom and the Imo Gubernatorial Race". All Africa. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  17. "Okorocha, Ihedioha agree on hitch- free transition". guardian.ng. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  18. Maduabuchi, Chidi (4 May 2019). "Governor Okorocha, Emeka Ihedioha agree on peaceful transition". TODAY. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  19. Admin. "Imo- Gov elect Emeka Ihedioha constitute transition committee". Trails Reporter. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  20. Olayanju, Kabir. "Okorocha, Ihedioha agree on peaceful transition ahead of May 29". Latest Alert. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  21. "Imo 2019: See FULL LIST of Ihedioha's transition committee". Daily Trust. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  22. Admin. "ADAKU CHUKA-ODOM HITS GOLDEN AGE". Thisday. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
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