Peter Odili at 78: Celebrating An Icon With Golden Heart

Christopher Unuigbe

As Dr. Peter Odili, a former Governor of Rivers State, marks his 78th birthday today, his family, friends and associates are celebrating what some of them have described as “a special icon with a golden heart.”

Born August 15, 1948, to the family of Chief Philip Celestine and Princess Janet Okwei, in Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, Odili has, for decades, distinguished himself as a man with deep passion for the well-being of others, a well-respected family man, and a man that is making great impact within and outside his country, Nigeria, especially in the areas of medicine and politics where he is widely acknowledged today as a leader.

A highly experienced physician, Odili has invested quality years in medical practice and has crowned his impact in this special field by founding PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a unique private facility and institution that is quietly setting great standards in Nigeria and Africa in areas of specialized medical training and research.

As a politician, he is a household name both in Rivers State and in the other parts of the country.

According to his community members and his close associates, it is one of Odili’s rare qualities that his enviable public achievements and top position in the society did not stop him from remaining humble and focused to his deepest passion, which may be described simply as interest to serve humanity and to offer knowledge and skills that will save lives and improve the people’s wellbeing.

A celebrity, but he tries hard to remain calm, may be unnoticed. In fact, one thing his relatives and close associates, who know the elder statesman very well always talk about is how he has succeeded in shielding his home from the usual endless conviviality that normally define the homes of political leaders of his pedigree in Nigeria.

For a man like him, who is also married to a prominent legal officer, now a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili, JSC – a union that produced a brilliant renowned medical guru, teaching hospital administator and eminent justices, it is to his credit that he is a man of silent achievements.

A Nigerian political leader with a great difference, Peter Odili, though a distinguished godfather whose name and influence have opened doors and offered great opportunities to his people and to his followers, has refrained from self-adulation and has remained unwilling to brag over his achievements. He has also refused to engage some of his political children, who, after benefitting immensely from his generous patronage, turn around to bite the hand that fed them.

When he emerged the Executive Governor of Rivers State for two terms, from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, on the platform of the then ruling PDP, he assumed the position with so much experience in political leadership, unlike some other elected governors of his time who assumed leadership of their states without adequate experience. 

Before he was elected governor, he served as an elected Deputy Governor from 1992-1993 during the short-lived Third Republic. The impact of his experience could be seen in the way he handled the affairs of the state from day one when he served as governor.

Already grounded as a grassroots political leader, Odili was elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Chairman of the Conference Committee on State Creation.  As the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in 1992, it was reported that “he laid the groundwork for a transformative era in the state’s history.” He helped to lay the foundation for the Fourth Republic.

The former governor first served as National Vice Chairman (South-south) Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), and later as National Secretary. He was the Founder and Leader of Rivers Platform in 1998.

The elder statesman was the founder and leader of what was described as “The Restoration Team”, as well as the State Leader of the PDP. Odili was also the National Chairman, PDP Fund Raising Committee (2000); and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal (2001) at various times. 

Commenting on why Odili should be celebrated in his State and across Nigeria today, Elder Israel Nwonu, a political analyst in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, described Peter Odili with these glowing words: “He is a visionary physician, politician, statesman, and nation-builder whose life embodies selfless service, transformative leadership, and enduring commitment to humanity.” 

“His patriotism, religious tolerance and fear of God distinguish him as a great man for all times. So, to rightly celebrate Dr. Odili as he marked 78 years here on earth, we must not only celebrate a rare political leader who helped greatly to build the Rivers State we know today; we should also celebrate in Dr. Odili, a remarkable journey of service, leadership, and humanity.

“We should celebrate him for he is still demonstrating his love for humanity through his new occupation of producing medical doctors and other medical personnel at a time when he should be resting at home,” Nwonu said.

Nwonu’s comments confirms people’s acknowledgement of the importance of Odili’s endeavours since he left the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. Perhaps to satisfy his natural interest in human health, welfare and in the training of medical personnel, Odili left a bold imprint on the sands of time both for Rivers, Nigeria and the human race when he founded, what has been described as the first wholly private medical university in Nigeria – PAMO University of Medical Sciences. 

To effectively support the university, he also built a 250-bed integrated PAMO University Hospital.  An earlier report on the facility have revealed: “The purpose-built multi-specialty, tertiary care private hospital offers patient care services across a range of medical and surgical specialties.” This is in addition to PAMO Hospital and Clinics in Port Harcourt.

His biography shows that the former governor received his early education at St. Michael’s School, Oguta; Sacred Heart School, Onitsha, and Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha.

He was Senior Prefect and College Captain in CKC Onitsha. While at CKC, he excelled not only in academics, but also in sports- representing the school in soccer, high jump, long jump, and lawn tennis.

After the Nigerian Civil War, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu Campus) in 1970, and served as Speaker of the Medical Students Association of the university in 1972 and President, League of Human Affiliates (Students Humanitarian Association) between 1972 and 1974. 

He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1977. In 1985 he obtained a certificate in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Odili commenced his medical practice first as a House Officer with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, and Senior House Officer between 1977 and 1979.

 After his stint as a Senior House Officer, he relocated to Port Harcourt with his wife and infant daughter and secured a job as Staff Physician at the Medical Consultation Centre in Port Harcourt.

Two years later, he set up his private hospital – PAMO Clinics and served first as Resident Clinician, and subsequently as Consultant in Tropical Medicine and Venereology, Clinical Director and then Medical Director following the clinic’s rapid expansion to a hospital. 

Between 1981 and 1982, he served as Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch; and Secretary, Association of Private Medical Practitioners Association, Rivers State between 1985 and 1987. He was also at a time a member of the Medical Advisory Council, Rivers State Ministry of Health.

Odili has other passions geared towards ensuring people’s wellbeing. In 1994 for example, he ventured into agriculture and set up RockMay Farms And Industries Ltd. He was the President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Port Harcourt and National Vice President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association between 1985 and 1988.

He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Michelin Nigeria Limited and served on the board for three years, between 1987 and 1989. 

Odili was elected as a member and leader of the Rivers State delegates at the Constituent Assembly of 1988 –1989. It has been said that this role marked the formal beginning of his active participation in politics. In 1992, he was elected Deputy Governor of Old Rivers State. He served in this capacity until the coup of November 1993. 

Odili was later elected as Delegate and Leader of the Rivers State Delegates in the National Constitutional Conference of 1994 -1995, and while there, he served as the Chairman of the Committee on Creation of States and Local Government Areas.

He was also at various times the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN); Founder and Leader, Rivers Front Movement; and National Chairman, PDP Fund-Raising Committee. 

He chaired the Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal in 2001 and was President of the Swimming Federation of Nigeria between 2001 and 2005.

Still active at 78 in service through grooming of future healers in his university and not tired as a political leader, Odili’s admirers in Rivers State, across Nigeria and beyond, are proud to openly celebrate this icon who demonstrates that leaders with conscience should never retire from guiding and grooming.

As the renowned elder statesman marks his 78th birthday today, I join others to wish him God’s blessings, good health and more peaceful life ahead.

• Unuigbe is a postgraduate student in the United Kingdom

Christopher Unuigbe

As Dr. Peter Odili, a former Governor of Rivers State, marks his 78th birthday today, his family, friends and associates are celebrating what some of them have described as “a special icon with a golden heart.”

Born August 15, 1948, to the family of Chief Philip Celestine and Princess Janet Okwei, in Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, Odili has, for decades, distinguished himself as a man with deep passion for the well-being of others, a well-respected family man, and a man that is making great impact within and outside his country, Nigeria, especially in the areas of medicine and politics where he is widely acknowledged today as a leader.

A highly experienced physician, Odili has invested quality years in medical practice and has crowned his impact in this special field by founding PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a unique private facility and institution that is quietly setting great standards in Nigeria and Africa in areas of specialized medical training and research.

As a politician, he is a household name both in Rivers State and in the other parts of the country.

According to his community members and his close associates, it is one of Odili’s rare qualities that his enviable public achievements and top position in the society did not stop him from remaining humble and focused to his deepest passion, which may be described simply as interest to serve humanity and to offer knowledge and skills that will save lives and improve the people’s wellbeing.

A celebrity, but he tries hard to remain calm, may be unnoticed. In fact, one thing his relatives and close associates, who know the elder statesman very well always talk about is how he has succeeded in shielding his home from the usual endless conviviality that normally define the homes of political leaders of his pedigree in Nigeria.

For a man like him, who is also married to a prominent legal officer, now a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili, JSC – a union that produced a brilliant renowned medical guru, teaching hospital administator and eminent justices, it is to his credit that he is a man of silent achievements.

A Nigerian political leader with a great difference, Peter Odili, though a distinguished godfather whose name and influence have opened doors and offered great opportunities to his people and to his followers, has refrained from self-adulation and has remained unwilling to brag over his achievements. He has also refused to engage some of his political children, who, after benefitting immensely from his generous patronage, turn around to bite the hand that fed them.

When he emerged the Executive Governor of Rivers State for two terms, from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, on the platform of the then ruling PDP, he assumed the position with so much experience in political leadership, unlike some other elected governors of his time who assumed leadership of their states without adequate experience. 

Before he was elected governor, he served as an elected Deputy Governor from 1992-1993 during the short-lived Third Republic. The impact of his experience could be seen in the way he handled the affairs of the state from day one when he served as governor.

Already grounded as a grassroots political leader, Odili was elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Chairman of the Conference Committee on State Creation.  As the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in 1992, it was reported that “he laid the groundwork for a transformative era in the state’s history.” He helped to lay the foundation for the Fourth Republic.

The former governor first served as National Vice Chairman (South-south) Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN), and later as National Secretary. He was the Founder and Leader of Rivers Platform in 1998.

The elder statesman was the founder and leader of what was described as “The Restoration Team”, as well as the State Leader of the PDP. Odili was also the National Chairman, PDP Fund Raising Committee (2000); and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal (2001) at various times. 

Commenting on why Odili should be celebrated in his State and across Nigeria today, Elder Israel Nwonu, a political analyst in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, described Peter Odili with these glowing words: “He is a visionary physician, politician, statesman, and nation-builder whose life embodies selfless service, transformative leadership, and enduring commitment to humanity.” 

“His patriotism, religious tolerance and fear of God distinguish him as a great man for all times. So, to rightly celebrate Dr. Odili as he marked 78 years here on earth, we must not only celebrate a rare political leader who helped greatly to build the Rivers State we know today; we should also celebrate in Dr. Odili, a remarkable journey of service, leadership, and humanity.

“We should celebrate him for he is still demonstrating his love for humanity through his new occupation of producing medical doctors and other medical personnel at a time when he should be resting at home,” Nwonu said.

Nwonu’s comments confirms people’s acknowledgement of the importance of Odili’s endeavours since he left the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. Perhaps to satisfy his natural interest in human health, welfare and in the training of medical personnel, Odili left a bold imprint on the sands of time both for Rivers, Nigeria and the human race when he founded, what has been described as the first wholly private medical university in Nigeria – PAMO University of Medical Sciences. 

To effectively support the university, he also built a 250-bed integrated PAMO University Hospital.  An earlier report on the facility have revealed: “The purpose-built multi-specialty, tertiary care private hospital offers patient care services across a range of medical and surgical specialties.” This is in addition to PAMO Hospital and Clinics in Port Harcourt.

His biography shows that the former governor received his early education at St. Michael’s School, Oguta; Sacred Heart School, Onitsha, and Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha.

He was Senior Prefect and College Captain in CKC Onitsha. While at CKC, he excelled not only in academics, but also in sports- representing the school in soccer, high jump, long jump, and lawn tennis.

After the Nigerian Civil War, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu Campus) in 1970, and served as Speaker of the Medical Students Association of the university in 1972 and President, League of Human Affiliates (Students Humanitarian Association) between 1972 and 1974. 

He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1977. In 1985 he obtained a certificate in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Odili commenced his medical practice first as a House Officer with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, and Senior House Officer between 1977 and 1979.

 After his stint as a Senior House Officer, he relocated to Port Harcourt with his wife and infant daughter and secured a job as Staff Physician at the Medical Consultation Centre in Port Harcourt.

Two years later, he set up his private hospital – PAMO Clinics and served first as Resident Clinician, and subsequently as Consultant in Tropical Medicine and Venereology, Clinical Director and then Medical Director following the clinic’s rapid expansion to a hospital. 

Between 1981 and 1982, he served as Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch; and Secretary, Association of Private Medical Practitioners Association, Rivers State between 1985 and 1987. He was also at a time a member of the Medical Advisory Council, Rivers State Ministry of Health.

Odili has other passions geared towards ensuring people’s wellbeing. In 1994 for example, he ventured into agriculture and set up RockMay Farms And Industries Ltd. He was the President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Port Harcourt and National Vice President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association between 1985 and 1988.

He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Michelin Nigeria Limited and served on the board for three years, between 1987 and 1989. 

Odili was elected as a member and leader of the Rivers State delegates at the Constituent Assembly of 1988 –1989. It has been said that this role marked the formal beginning of his active participation in politics. In 1992, he was elected Deputy Governor of Old Rivers State. He served in this capacity until the coup of November 1993. 

Odili was later elected as Delegate and Leader of the Rivers State Delegates in the National Constitutional Conference of 1994 -1995, and while there, he served as the Chairman of the Committee on Creation of States and Local Government Areas.

He was also at various times the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN); Founder and Leader, Rivers Front Movement; and National Chairman, PDP Fund-Raising Committee. 

He chaired the Presidential Committee on Housing and Urban Renewal in 2001 and was President of the Swimming Federation of Nigeria between 2001 and 2005.

Still active at 78 in service through grooming of future healers in his university and not tired as a political leader, Odili’s admirers in Rivers State, across Nigeria and beyond, are proud to openly celebrate this icon who demonstrates that leaders with conscience should never retire from guiding and grooming.

As the renowned elder statesman marks his 78th birthday today, I join others to wish him God’s blessings, good health and more peaceful life ahead.

• Unuigbe is a postgraduate student in the United Kingdom