Not quite christened the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, but the development programs and strategies put together by the Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State, Nigeria since taking over the affairs of the state in 1999, might as well be called just that.

The phrase ‘first of its kind’ has been attributed more often to his tenure than any other state governor. This is because Odili embarked on new and innovative programs in the various sectors like health, energy and education to put Rivers state on the map.

This was perhaps the reason behind Lincoln University – the oldest black university in the U.S; that has in the past graduated great African leaders such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria – conferring on Governor Odili an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree at its 147th commencement ceremony in Oxford Pennsylvania.

In an interview, Odili who was described as a citizen of the world, said this tribute will open the doors for new educational partnerships for the people of Rivers State, and dedicated the recognition to President Obasanjo.

During this four-day visit to the U.S, the governor sat on the panel of the 14th session on sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters. He also met with the U.S policy makers at the Council on Foreign Relations and attended several private meetings and receptions with business leaders in New York.

Accompanying the governor were his wife Justice Mary Odili and several members of his cabinet.

Article & Pictures by Oyiza Adaba - a U.S-based International Correspondent and a contributor to NVS

    At the UN Panel on Sustainable Development

  At the UN Panel on Sustainable Development

The Governor & his First Lady

Prof. Ukandi Damachi

  Prof. & Mrs. Kenoye Eke  

Guests

  From the Rivers State People Association in the Diaspora

  Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State

Amb. Aminu Wali - Nigeria;s Permanent Rep to the UN

Guests from Lincoln University

From the Rivers State People Association in the Diaspora   

 
Rivers State Cabinet Team

 
Guests from Lincoln University

A Toast by Ambassador George Obiozor Nigeria's Amb to the U.S

Dr. & Mrs. Michael Hill VP for Dev Lincoln University with Prof. & Mrs. Eke

Ms. Nosayaba Tukura of Rutgers University   

  The Governor with Dr. Chika Onyeani Publisher African Suntimes

Ambassador Aminu Wali & Mrs. Wali

Governor Odili & wife Justice Mary Odili   

Oyiza Adaba and Angelinah Ada of the Africa Suntimes

Dr. Chika Onyeani With Amb. Obiozor & other Guests

AAI's Kofi Boateng & Guest

Robot  # 1 | 21.05.2006 19:04

During this four-day visit to the U.S, the governor sat on the panel o...Read the full article.

BiafranPrincess  # 2 | 21.05.2006 21:06

This is exactly the kind of wasteful, non-prioritising leadership that we cannot afford at this stage in Nigeria! Odili visiting the USA making headlines while Port-Hacourt has transformed from the garden city to the 'garbage city' in his years as governor. Give me a break and show me true leaders with vision. Can we pls have ppl of foresight like Pa Awolowo, Michael Okpara etc

Unregistre  # 3 | 21.05.2006 22:48

=BiafranPrincess>This is exactly the kind of wasteful, non-prioritising leadership that we cannot afford at this stage in Nigeria! Odili visiting the USA making headlines while Port-Hacourt has transformed from the garden city to the 'garbage city' in his years as governor. Give me a break and show me true leaders with vision. Can we pls have ppl of foresight like Pa Awolowo, Michael Okpara etc When last where you in Port-Harcourt?

Picasso  # 4 | 21.05.2006 23:08

Can we please transfer this ridiculously stupid attempt at lip service to where it rightly belongs? And I'm referring to the DUST BIN!

blackscorpion  # 5 | 22.05.2006 00:33

Oga Admin, Obviously this event was covered by NVS around town and one would expect it to be there.We should be careful so this forum wont be used for preparing people for 2007 or political rehabilitation for erstwhile 3rd term proponents. Uche Nworah placed something here 6 months ago and people were calling for his head........... Clearly testy days lie ahead Kunle

Wafi  # 6 | 22.05.2006 00:39

Thank you Ms Briafia for your comments. At least someone has called a spade a spade. Unregistre, when last did you visit Rivers State? The Rivers State i have been visiting at least every six months in the last 8 years is pretty much the same. I can't remember seeing any major development that has happened over this period. Except you are referring to a different Rivers State/ Port-Harcourt in the US or the UK. Ccmon Unregistre, when we talk about priortising in leadership of the State, we mean addressing issues of immediate concern/ developmental needs of the people; focusing on areas that are of utmost benefit to the common man. I haven't seen good enough results in Rivers State in the last seven years. I wonder what they did with all that derivation money...... Sure they spent some, but not enough completed projects on ground to show for all the money allocated. Let's not be too quick to sing praises. I hope NVS is not turning into another ground for selling Presidential hopefuls for 2007. People here are smart enough to know the real intentions of the writer. This type of article or what ever we call it should be on a National newspaper/ or better still on a Port-Harcourt newspaper. Mr Odilli, enjoy your vacation. Every Nigerian is also a citizen of the world.......

Wafi  # 7 | 22.05.2006 00:46

Nigerian's/ Riverians will care less about such an article. I bet they'll say "Hmn de guy de enjoy him time". But you know what? The simple truth is that Mr Odilli's visit wouldn't change the price of fish in Ikwere market...........

Abraxas  # 8 | 22.05.2006 02:51

Hi, folks! Rumour has it that Lincoln University, the oldest Black university in the USA, that graduated world renowned African leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Owelle (Dr.) Nnamdi Azikiwe (KCBE, GCFR) of Nigeria, conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree on Governor Peter Odili at its 147th commencement ceremony in Oxford, Pennsylvania, for a fee: courtesy of the thoroughly looted treasury of the Rivers State of Nigeria! In an interview, Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili, who was sycophantically described as a citizen of the universe, remarked that the (bogus) award, celebrated in the banquet hall of a suburban Hilton Hotel, somewhere in North America, will open the doors for new educational partnerships for the hapless students of the grossly substandard, money-guzzling Rivers State University of Science and Technology. As expected, he dedicated his bogus award to a well-known anti-intellectual unknown soldier called Balogun Aremu Okikiolakan Mathew Olusegun Obasanjo (The Great), his personal messiah. He also met with members of the dreaded Council on Foreign Relations; a diabolical organisation that has been fingered as being responsible for the gross underdevelopment of selected countries worldwide, particularly in Africa. His entourage included himself (executive), his wife (judiciary), his former office clerk, now Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (the legislature), his in-laws, and a plane-load of official praise-singers, especially air-lifted from Port Harcourt international airport, via Frankfurt (courtesy of Lufthansa airlines!) Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili later attended several stage-managed private meetings and choreographed receptions with various so-called business leaders in New York. I hope this spells the timely death of a sick and conniving attempt at surreptitious image laundering in the Village Square. Muchas gracias. Post Script: Observe the lively duo of Ms. Oyiza Adaba, a so-called US-based international correspondent, and Ms. Angelinah Ada in the group photographs of the so-called "World Citizen" and his travelling circus!

JayJay1  # 9 | 22.05.2006 05:39

Dear Mr. Unregistered, Can you please tell us what are the changes in Port-Harcourt or better still Rivers state, since Odili is not the governor of Port-Harcourt but that of Rivers state? From Ada-George to Ikwerre Road, Aba Road to Old GRA, New GRA to Ikoku road, what are the meaningful developments there. Gullies and pot holes are everywhere, refuse dump all over the town. What has he Odili done to change the face of Port-Harcourt and Rivers state. He spent several billions of naira on the new government house- a way to steal our oil money. What of his hospital in South Africa? What of the dead helicopter at the Port-Harcourt International aiport bought for hundreds of millions of naira? Kindly give answers to some or all of these questions. Thanks Joseph

onyerubi  # 10 | 22.05.2006 08:07

Abrax/Gents Lets not be intolerant of ther opinions or you stand to be guilty as any tyrant anywhere in the world. Governor Odili reserves the right to be in the US as a Nigerian Diplomat wether you like it or not. However you have every right to criticize his actions (inactions). But do not do so on the basis of heresay or "gist" or "dem say" or "e be like". Meeting with CFR is not your business unless you know why they met. Then you can make some submission. Else, be at peace. If living in the squalor of the old govt house is your criteria for service, then, we need to rearrange what we need back here. As for changes in PHC, only the blind do not see them. Those traffic lights, Rumuomasi, Elehakia, Diobu, housing areas are not illusions. The strech ffrom the airport is no illusion, the bypass to the city is no rumour, the woji and Elelenwo bridges are no dreams, the Trans Amadi, Eleme, Omoku gas power turbines and not rumours, the HT towers and pylons are real. They cost money not CFA. So far there has been NO PROOF of any stealing aginst the man, at least give him the right of innocent until proven guilty. All everyone does is to transfer their hatred of Obsanjo to him. The fact that a state has salaries at par with National at all times and that strikes are rare in the state should say something. the 200 taxi cabs (even if names after Stella) are on the streets, C'mon, give a man his due. Is it the same in other states with same revenue? Lets stop judging governance by only roads and water. They are govens and they are being done, but there are constraints, not insurmountable. The state has the honour of being the only one to have the free school bus scheme, free C. Section. Free this and that. But lets get something right. Our system is so used to free stuff and the earlier we wean ourselves, the better. We are all so indolent that it is criminal. The Ogoni reconciliation must be unpleasant to many. As would the solution of the former Eleme-Okrika wars and the Buguma-Kalabari wars, they mean nothing? the 13billion naira road connecting riverine areas Andoni to Ogoni mean nothing? Abeg joo! The move of all the oil cos to PHC from Warri/Lagos except of course Mobil and Chveron is no mistake. It is easy to criticize from the outside. Howevr lets not just cmoe here and yodel. Lets contribute constructively somehow.

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