Ejaife Omizu Odebala
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Ejaife Omizu Odebala (born 12 November 1965 in United Kingdom) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician, who was a former member of Delta State House of Assembly, Nigeria.[citation needed]
Early Life[edit]
In every field of human endeavour, there are to be found three categories of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what has happened. To the first category belong the Leaders, the Pace-setters who blaze the trail for others to follow. Coming to specific terms, in the field of Law and Governance, Hon (Barr.) Ejaife Omizu Odebala is one such leader. Colours they say must fit together as pieces in a puzzle or cogs in a wheel. So is this great mind who have touched lives at different capacities.
Born Friday 12th November, 1965, in the United Kingdom into the illustrious family of Barr. & Barr. (Mrs) Joseph Young Odebala[1] of Oku-ovwori Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta state. Ejaife Omizu Odebala had a very humble beginning. He had his Primary Education with Ayomanor Primary School then later Okotie Eboh Grammar School both in Sapele LGA of Delta state. He proceeded to the prestigious Edo State University now Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma where he read Law. Ejaife Odebala with great determination and focus enrolled into the Nigerian Law School Lagos where he obtained his LLB Degree between 1991 – 1992. He went on to practice under his father`s Law firm; J.Y Odebala & Co. from 1994 – 1997[2]. Indeed, it was a dream come true for a young man who always wanted a profession where he could give a helping hand to the helpless. At the age of 28, Ejaife Odebala was already a practicing legal practitioner. Vibrant, articulate and very well grounded in Legislative Practice.
Political Career[edit]
Ejaife Odebala started politics professionally in 1997 where he was first elected to represent Sapele Constituency under the CNC and during the Military junta under the reign of Gen. Sani Abacha. The election was annulled until the emergence of Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar who called for a fresh election that saw Ejaife Odebala emerging again as winner to represent Sapele Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, becoming the first member of the Delta State House of Assembly who represented Sapele state constituency. Hon(Barr) Ejaife Omizu Odebala on May 29th, 1999 was inaugurated into the state House of Assembly[3] and served as Chief Whip for 4 years under the administration of His Excellency; Chief James Onanefe Ibori. As Chief Whip in the State House of Assembly, standing boldly on the floor of the Legislative Chamber with the matchless eloquence of a seasoned orator and legal practitioner, Hon Ejaife Odebala at 34 only, stood in the midst of colleagues and fellow patriots, armed with the courage that only the young and intelligent can muster, looked the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly in the face and moved the motion for the conversion of the Sapele Technical College (STC) into a State Polytechnic. A move that was misunderstood by a few colleagues that he was asking for too much for his people. A bill that almost led to his recall by some of his constituents who never wanted the growth of the Local Government Area he then represented.
As a Lawyer with a vast knowledge in Legislative Practice, Hon. Odebala was Awarded “Best Legislator of the year 2005” by the Chief James Ibori`s Government. Giving a strong motivation to legislation. His brilliance as a legislator who understands Legislative Practice and Corporate Governance like the back of his palms attracted lots of projects to his constituency through close working relationship with the then Governor James Onanefe Ibori. Some of which included;
- Songhai Delta Amukpe
- Youth Vocational Training Centre Sapele
- Sapele Main Market
- Sapele Stadium
- Central Hospital Sapele Renovation
- Doctors & Nurses Quarters
- Renovation of several Schools
- Construction/Rehabilitation of several roads in Sapele LGA.
As an experienced Democrat, Odebala understands strategic leadership. He is a team player, jovial and can mingle with all class irrespective of their background. Hon Odebala is youth friendly and have displayed this on several occasions. This loyalty and humility of Hon Odebala have endeared his relationship with Political leaders, traditional rulers and communities round the 25 Local Government Areas of the state. In Delta north where he was honoured with three (3) Traditional titles, he is greatly loved by the people for his kind-heartedness and humility. Odebala has always been a household name within and outside the Political Family.
As Commissioner for Project Monitoring & Evaluation, Hon Odebala yet again introduced the “Prepayment Valuation Report” (PVR). His explanation was that for payment to be made to any Contractor, there must be ‘Prepayment Valuation Report’ to see if the contractor did his job in line with Bill of Quantity (BOQ). But the idea once accepted, was jettisoned after one month because of political interest. The essence of the PVR was to allow ‘Value for Money’ on all Government Contracts which stands to ensure that no government job was substandard. Hon Odebala was a household name and a song on everyone`s lips in the state.
Hon Ejaife Omizu Odebala served as Chairman of Sapele Local Government Council from 2014 to 2017. In 2018, Odebala again joined the race for House of Representative where he lost the primaries to Hon Efe Afe. In September, 2018, He was appointed by His Excellency; Sen(Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa where he served for seven(7) months as a Member of the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), representing Okpe, Sapele & Ethiope West LGAs. A position formerly being occupied by Hon Jonathan Amitaye. During this time, in a bid to reducing unemployment rate in his mandate areas, over 70 young unemployed female graduates from his mandate areas underwent Entrepreneurship training for days that saw them going home with ₦150,000 Naira each and starter packs. Over 30 secondary schools in his mandate areas; Okpe, Sapele & Ethiope West LGAs also received brand new school benches from the Honourable Board Member of the Commission as part of his contribution towards encouraging teaching/learning activities. During the 2019 general elections, Hon Odebala campaigned vigorously for his great party – PDP, moving from ward to ward, unit to unit in the Sapele Local Government Area to ensure total victory for the ruling PDP in the state. Hon Odebala was seen giving huge financial support to the different wards as well as political pressure groups in the LGA which earned him the nick name “Rain Oil” at the time. In his quest to ensure an all round victory for the PDP, Hon Odebala reached out to aggrieved members of the party for a united whole.He was Chairman of the Sapele LGA PDP Campaign Committee on Finance, Contacts & Mobilization. He also was a Member of the State Campaign Committee on Field Operations & Logistics. He mobilized massively for the Party both at the State and Local Government levels to ensure the victory of His Excellency; Sen (Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, Executive Governor of Delta state and all other candidates of our great party – PDP.
On Wednesday 18th December, 2019, Hon(Barr) Ejaife Omizu Odebala was appointed and inaugurated into the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) Board as Chairman by His Excellency; Sen (Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa. A position he occupies in the Governor Okowa`s administration till date. Hon(Barr.) Ejaife Omizu Odebala have touched lives both at the grassroot and state levels. His expertise in good governance and as a Legal Practitioner have led many politicians in the state to study Law. Like he would often say; “You have done nothing for society if your life haven`t inspired anybody positively”. He is a strong believer of the fact that Democracy is a bargain between the government and the governed and that the essence of the bargain is to ensure participation in policy making. Hon Odebala is a grassroot mobilizer and an expert in human capital development. He is a successful businessman whose entrepreneurial prowess have given him the opportunity to put over a hundred (100) Deltans under his payroll. He is a loving husband, father and full fleshed stakeholder of the ruling Peoples` Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state. Hon Odebala believes nobody knows it all in politics as all continues to learn every step by the way like he would often say; “Politics is like the biblical doctrine, which is neither for the weak nor for the strong”.
Achievement[edit]
In appreciation for his credible performance as their representative in the State House of Assembly, the good people of Sapele LGA once again re-elected him into the State House of Assembly in 2003 to continue the good works he started. Hon. Odebala through his office created jobs for alot of his constituents.
- Provided start-up capitals for lots of them
- Paid tuition fees for undergraduate Sapele/Okpe sons and daughters
- Bought cars for party members
- Bought sewing machines for party women for small scale businesses
- Sent a few abroad for greener pastures & studies
- Enrolled over 300 Pupils/Students for External Examinations
- Put a lot of party men and women on monthly salaries
With a keen interest in touching the lives of more Deltans, Hon. Odebala joined the Governorship race under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007 after serving two terms as member of the Delta State House of Assembly[4] and after the 8year tenure of Chief James Onanefe Ibori. He consulted political stakeholders and campaigned vigorously round the 25 LGAs of the state. A race that saw the former Governor Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan emerge as Governor of Delta in 2007.
Traditional Titles[edit]
Ejaife Omizu Odebala was a household name at the time, loved by both young and old and almost carried the day as the party candidate for the Gubernatorial Elections. With the level of confidence posed on him by Deltans, he was awarded traditional titles in five (5) kingdoms of Delta state. He is;
- Ebubedike of Obior Kingdom in Aniocha North LGA
- Orugba of Okpolo-enwhe Kingdom in Isoko South LGA
- Anagba of Obiaruku in Ukwuani LGA
- Eguono of Oghara Kingdom in Ethiope West LGA
- Ehizogie of Owa Kingdom in Ika North-East LGA
Hon Odebala is a ‘Trailblazer’, an ‘Idea Bank’ and a Grassroot Politician with the core values of Good Governance and Administrative Justice. His relationship with the grass root and leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cuts across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state. From 1997 since he officially ventured into the political space, he has maintained good working relationship with party men and women. Hon Odebala is humble to a fault. Respects and understands the principles of Democracy. Loyal to party leadership, Accessible to all Eloquent, Knows Governance like the four corners of his bedroom. He is a care-giver and knows what every political player wants and deserves.
References[edit]
- ↑ Sapele Political Class, Others Attend Service Of Songs For J.Y. Odebala, Oasismagazine. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
- ↑ ODEBALA, Hon. Omizu Ejaife, Blerf. 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
- ↑ DELTA 2023: FACES OF 12 URHOBOS EYEING GOVERNORSHIP SEAT, Ovibel. 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ↑ What makes Ibori different— Odebala, Sapele LG chairma, Vanguard News. 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
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