Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii (born 17 April 1975) is a Nigerian businessman, philanthropist and politician. He is the founder and chairman of Orient Global Group.[1] and also the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for Ebonyi State in the 2023 gubernatorial election. Odii is a native of Isu in Onicha local government area (LGA) of Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
Early life and education
editOdii attended Isu-achara primary school and Isu secondary school, both in Ebonyi state for his early education. Odii studied Business Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria earning a Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.). He was conferred with a Doctor of Science Degree in Strategic Business Management & Corporate Governance by the European American University in the Republic of Panama.[2] He also studied through the Chief Executive program at Lagos Business School. He is a member of the Lagos State University Governing board announced in 2021 by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu[3][4] He is also on the board of the Nnamdi Azikwe University Business School.[5]
Political career
editOdii was elected 2023 Gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (Nigeria) polling a total of 349 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chris Usulor, who scored nine votes.[6][7][8][9]
Awards
edit- In 2022, Guardian Newspaper recognized Odii as one of the top 50 CEOs that impacted and contributed to Nigeria’s GDP growth in 2021.[10]
- Odii was awarded Independent Newspaper’s Philanthropist of the year.[11][12]
- Odii won the “Next Bull Awards” in 2021 at the Nigerian Investors Value Awards (NIVA) organized by Business Day Newspaper and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.[13]
Philanthropy
editOdii setup the Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation which he runs with his wife. The foundation has built over 130 homes for poor people,[14][15] six churches and a 2.2 km (1.4 mi) road in Magodo, Lagos.[16] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation also donated 150m naira to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Lagos state government and Ebonyi state government[17] as well as distribute pallatives to people.[16] He has also provided scholarships for students in Ebonyi state[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Orient Global Group Founder, Odii, Joins Ebonyi Guber Race – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (2022-04-14). "Dr Ifeanyi Odii, The Visionary Leader Ebonyi Deserve". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Sobowale, Rasheed (2021-06-27). "Sanwo-Olu names new 13-member LASU Governing Council". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Lagos-owned tertiary institutions get new governing councils". TheCable Lifestyle. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Staff, Daily Post (2021-10-10). "UNIZIK appoints Stanley Uzochukwu, Maduka, others as board members of own Business School". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "Odii clinches Ebonyi PDP guber ticket". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ "PDP Bows To Court Ruling, Accepts Odii As Ebonyi Governorship Candidate". The Whistler Newspaper. 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ Aliuna, Godwin (2022-05-30). "Business mogul, Odii emerges PDP guber candidate in Ebonyi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ Ugwu, Chinagorom (2022-05-30). "Ebonyi PDP faction elects gov candidate despite order for cancellation by national leadership". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
- ^ "The Guardian's special focus and Nigeria's most impactful and award-winning CEOS in 2021: part 2". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-03-22. Archived from the original on 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ "#IndependentAwards: Odii Recognised As Philanthropist Of The Year". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ "Independent Newspapers Honours Distinguished Nigerians Today". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ "Ultimus Holdings wins the 2021 NIVA Awards". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-04-29. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ BusinessDay (2021-01-13). "Ebele and Anyi Chucks Foundation hands over 100 houses for free to indigent persons during the yuletide season". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Foundation builds 110 houses for poor in Ebonyi". Punch Newspapers. 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ a b "COVID-19: Nigerian philanthropist distributes palliatives, transforms disabled child hawker". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Omegoh, Cosmas (2020-04-10). "COVID-19: Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation donates N150m to FG, Lagos, Ebonyi". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
- ^ Bankole, Idowu (2022-03-27). "2023: Women groups, youths urge philanthropist to join guber race in Ebonyi". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-08-17.