CHIEF (MRS) GERTRUDE EGO ODUKA

Chief Mrs Gertrude Ego Oduka (JP) was born on 15th December 1957 in Amagu Village of Umuezedike, Ideato-South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. She is a daughter of Pa Reuben Ubennwa Oforluka, a renowned Engineer and a soldier (Captain) during the second world war  and Nneoma  Nwere-Ugwu, Cecilia Iheoma-Agwuagwu Offorluka (NEE Ohaeri ) of Amagu and Abukwa Villages respectively in Umuobaom clan (both of blessed memory). She is happily married to a man of repute an industrialist with an impeccable character, Chief James Uchechukwu Oduka (JP) of Umuikpa Village Umuduruahurunwa Community in Ideato-South LGA.

Chief (Mrs) Gertrude Oduka Ego Oduka had a solid foundation of early childhood education bound in a strict moral, mental and spiritual discipline from both the parents, elders and teachers. After her successful primary and secondary education in1972 and 1977 respectively, she enrolled into Teachers Training College, Umudi in 1978 where she acquired a skill in teaching methodology which endeared her into the noble teaching profession as a Grade Two Teacher.

In 1986, she proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka for Associate-ship Certificate in Education (ACE) and came out with distinction in 1987. Still eager to push forward for frontiers of knowledge, she enrolled in a degree programme and graduated with a Bachelor Degree (B. Ed) in Guidance and Counseling.

 In 1993, her hunger for education took her to the same university where she registered for Masters Degree  Programme. With her Master`s Degree in Education Administration and Planning (M.Ed) in 1998, she is not yet done as she is currently doing her PhD programme in Imo State University in Education Administration and Management.

 As a very strong administrator in public and private sectors, she has served as Vice Chairman of Ideato-South LGA under the defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) between 1987 and 1988. Her records of achievements were eloquent testimonies of her leadership qualities. Later she became the state woman leader of PDP from 1993 to 2003.

 Between 2000 and 2003 she served as Director / Board Member Imo State Housing Corporation. She was a two time Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development during the Achike Udenwa regime with a landmark of construction of Children`s park at Orlu and a shopping mall at Mbari from 2003 to 2007. She was a member Board of Governors of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Zaria, Kaduna State from 2008 to 2001.

His Excellency, Owelle Anayochukwu Rochas Okorocha (OON) appointed her the Special Adviser on Women Mobilization in 2012 to 2013. Her Excellent track records of performance merited her appointment as the Executive Chairperson, Imo State Universal Basic Education Board. At the IMSUBEB, she brought her wealth of experience to reposition the establishment. Her intra and inter personal relationship with the entire staff and the general public have given her many accolades, laurels and recognitions both within and outside Imo State. This has brought tremendous developments in all ramifications in Imo SUBEB Owerri with a landmark of ultra modern office complex with two big ware houses to her credit. To crown it all, Chief (Mrs) Gertrude Oduka was appointed the General Commander, Women Affairs during the 2015 Rochas Okorocha Campaign Organization in Imo State.

Mrs  Oduka was appointed as the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology by his Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on January 14th 2016, a position many have described as the right person for the right job.

Mrs Gertrude Ego Oduka, a seasoned Community, political and religious leader, has bagged so many awards of honour and Chieftaincy titles among which are; Eziadaukwu 1 of Umuobom Clan;  Nneomanwereugwu of Orlu Catholic Diocese; Ada Ife by Umuobom Women Wing, Onitsha Branch;  Ambassador of peace by Global People Foundation and Ada Okwukwe by the Ahiara Anglican Diocese.

She is blessed with seven children, a barrister, two engineers, two scientists, Micro-biologist and an under graduate, above all she is grandmother of many children, she loves writing, reading and singing.