Odion Ugbesia
Encyclopedia
Elder Magnus Odion Ugbesia is a Nigeria
n politician who was elected to the National Senate in 2007 representing the Edo Central constituency of Edo State
for the People's Democratic Party
(PDP).
, Edo State. He gained a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois, and an MA in International Relations from Northeastern Illinois University
, USA. From 1978 to 1989 he was a Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Benin
. He also served as Edo State Coordinator, and was a member of the Presidential Policy Advisory Committee on Niger Delta and other Oil Producing Areas.
In a November 2003 interview, he stated that Nigeria had great mineral wealth, including gold, tantalite, barite, coal, steel and iron ore. These resources had not been sufficiently explored. The government had a seven year development plan, including revival of the Geological Survey Agency, conducting a full Airborne Geophysical Survey, and improving mining infrastructure and facilities. An important consideration was reducing environmental damage. The government planned to formalize artesanal mining, training miners and monitoring their activity. The Nigerian Coal Corporation
was being privatized, and foreign investment was welcomed.
As early as July 2004, Odion Ugbesia was being considered as a potential candidate for governor of Edo State in the 2007 elections.
He was the favorite of Chief Anthony Anenih
, one of the most powerful men in the state, having once been Anenih's personal assistant.
In December 2007 his daughter, Omozuwa, married Iriaobe Anenih, son of Chief Tony Anenih.
However, President Obasanjo insisted that Professor Osariemen Osunbor, cousin to his late wife, Stella, would be the PDP governorship candidate.
(PDP). He was appointed to committees on Employment, Labour & Productivity, Air Force, Navy, National Planning and
National Identity Card & Population.
In July 2009, Odion Ugbesia withdrew his opposition to President Umaru Yar'Adua's nominee, Jude Ise-Idehen of the Action Congress
(AC), as the Commissioner representing Edo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC), although his colleague Senator Ehigie Uzamere of Edo South maintained opposition to the appointment.
In November 2009, Ugbesia described the achievements he had made as senator in attracting projects to his Senatorial district. They included the Northern Ishan regional water project, work on the Ebu-Ahia-Asaba Road, a primary health centre with beds and medical equipment and borehole, contracts for control of erosion, farmland irrigation at Ilushi and rural porverty alleviation schemes.
Ugbesia ran successfully for reelection as Edo Central Senator on the PDP platform in the April 2011 elections.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n politician who was elected to the National Senate in 2007 representing the Edo Central constituency of Edo State
Edo State
Edo State is an inland state in central southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State.-History:...
for the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP).
Background
Odion Ugbesia was born on 28 January 1949 in UbiajaUbiaja
Ubiaja is a community in the Esan South-East Local Government Area , Edo State, Nigeria. It is at an altitude of 221 m. Most of the people belong to the Esan tribe, one of the major ethnic groups in Edo State....
, Edo State. He gained a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois, and an MA in International Relations from Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University is a public state university located in Chicago, Illinois. The main campus is located in the community area of North Park with three additional campuses in the metropolitan area. Tracing its founding to 1867, it was first established as a separate branch of a...
, USA. From 1978 to 1989 he was a Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Benin
University of Benin
There are several institutions called the University of Benin in West Africa:*The National University of Benin, in Cotonou, Benin*The University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria*The University of Benin in Lomé, Togo, now known as the University of Lomé...
. He also served as Edo State Coordinator, and was a member of the Presidential Policy Advisory Committee on Niger Delta and other Oil Producing Areas.
Government positions
Odion Ugbesia was appointed Commissioner for Information in Edo state, then became special assistant to the Federal Minister of Housing. He was promoted to Minster of State at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In July 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Minister of Solid Minerals.In a November 2003 interview, he stated that Nigeria had great mineral wealth, including gold, tantalite, barite, coal, steel and iron ore. These resources had not been sufficiently explored. The government had a seven year development plan, including revival of the Geological Survey Agency, conducting a full Airborne Geophysical Survey, and improving mining infrastructure and facilities. An important consideration was reducing environmental damage. The government planned to formalize artesanal mining, training miners and monitoring their activity. The Nigerian Coal Corporation
Nigerian Coal Corporation
The Nigerian Coal Corporation is a Nigerian parastatal corporation responsible for mining and selling coal. It is based in Enugu.-Origin:...
was being privatized, and foreign investment was welcomed.
As early as July 2004, Odion Ugbesia was being considered as a potential candidate for governor of Edo State in the 2007 elections.
He was the favorite of Chief Anthony Anenih
Anthony Anenih
Anthony Akhakon Anenih is a Nigerian politician who was appointed Minister of Works and Housing in 1999.-Background:Anthony Akhakon Anenih was born in Uzenema-Arue in Uromi on 4 August, 1933. In 1951 he joined the Nigeria police force in Benin City. Working at home, he obtained secondary school...
, one of the most powerful men in the state, having once been Anenih's personal assistant.
In December 2007 his daughter, Omozuwa, married Iriaobe Anenih, son of Chief Tony Anenih.
However, President Obasanjo insisted that Professor Osariemen Osunbor, cousin to his late wife, Stella, would be the PDP governorship candidate.
Senate career
Odion Ugbesia was elected to the Senate for Edo Central in April 2007 for the People's Democratic PartyPeople's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP). He was appointed to committees on Employment, Labour & Productivity, Air Force, Navy, National Planning and
National Identity Card & Population.
In July 2009, Odion Ugbesia withdrew his opposition to President Umaru Yar'Adua's nominee, Jude Ise-Idehen of the Action Congress
Action Congress
The Action Congress of Nigeria , formerly known as Action Congress , is a classical liberal Nigerian political party formed via the merger of the Alliance for Democracy, the Justice Party, the Advance Congress of Democrats, and several other minor political parties in September 2006. The party...
(AC), as the Commissioner representing Edo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission
Niger Delta Development Commission
The Niger Delta Development Commission is a Federal Government agency established by Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2000 with the sole mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria....
(NDDC), although his colleague Senator Ehigie Uzamere of Edo South maintained opposition to the appointment.
In November 2009, Ugbesia described the achievements he had made as senator in attracting projects to his Senatorial district. They included the Northern Ishan regional water project, work on the Ebu-Ahia-Asaba Road, a primary health centre with beds and medical equipment and borehole, contracts for control of erosion, farmland irrigation at Ilushi and rural porverty alleviation schemes.
Ugbesia ran successfully for reelection as Edo Central Senator on the PDP platform in the April 2011 elections.