Lecturer, Researcher, Administrator, HRH
Clifford Temple Idigieneni Odu hailed from Twon Brass in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was an academic giant in all respects and a trailblazer. Professor C.T.I. Odu remains the first black professor of soil microbiology in Africa.
The late Professor C.T.I. Odu, as he was widely known, was an academician and researcher par excellence. He left his footprints on the sands of time at the prestigious University of Ibadan, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (formerly known as Rivers State University), and the Executive Council of the old Rivers State Government.
Parents/Birth
Clifford Temple Idigieneni Odu was born on July 3, 1937, to Chief Afuluka Odu of Akabuka, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, and Mrs. Emilia Igomukuma Ngeri (née Cameron) of Twon Brass in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State. He lived with his mother and stepfather (Chief C.D. Ngeri) in Twon Brass. Chief C.D. Ngeri was a notable schoolteacher and headmaster in colonial Southern Nigeria.
Education
Clifford Temple Idigieneni Odu received his primary education at various schools in the then Eastern Nigeria, beginning with St. Barnabas School, Twon Brass. His stepfather, Chief C.D. Ngeri, was a school headmaster who was frequently transferred between schools within the old Eastern Region. It is likely in the 1940s that he earned his Standard Six certificate.
Thereafter, he proceeded to Government College, Ibadan, in Western Nigeria for his post-primary education, where he earned higher certificates for his university studies.
In 1957, he began his university education, first gaining admission to the University College, Ibadan (which was affiliated with the University of London). He completed his degree program at the University of London in 1962, earning a degree in Agricultural Science.
Subsequently, he obtained his PhD in Soil Science from the University of Ibadan and the University of California, Davis, USA, in 1967. It is worth noting that Clifford Temple Idigieneni Odu, known as “Cityman” during his undergraduate days, excelled not only academically but also in sports, drama, and music. He acted in several plays, played the piano (organ) flawlessly, and represented the University of Ibadan in several track and field events. Above all, he was a distinguished academic and renowned scholar who received numerous academic laurels, scholarships, fellowships, and awards, some of which include:
- Faculty Prize in Agriculture, University of Ibadan, 1962
- University of Ibadan Postgraduate Scholarship Award, 1963
- Rockefeller Fellowship, 1965
- Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, 1965-1971
- UNESCO International Cell Research Organization (ICRO) Fellowship in Microbiology, 1971
- Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship, University of California, Davis, USA.
Career Life
Clifford Temple Idigieneni Odu had an exemplary and fulfilling career. His professional life was primarily centered in academia.
In 1962, he worked as an Agricultural Officer in charge of the Eastern Nigeria Government farm in Nekede, Owerri. He later transitioned into academia.
In 1965, his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, employed him as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Science. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in the Agronomy Department in 1973. In 1977, at the age of 42, he was awarded a Professorship in Soil Microbiology by the University of Ibadan, making him the first black professor of Soil Microbiology in Africa. He was an authority in the field of soil science and pollution management.
About the Agronomy Department
The Department of Agronomy at the University of Ibadan, the first such department among Nigerian universities, was established in 1967 (1966/67 session) following a reorganization within the then Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Science. In the reorganization, the existing Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Chemistry and Soils was merged to form the Department of Agronomy. The first head of the department was Professor A.A.A. Fayemi, who served until 1978 and retired in 1982. Professor Fayemi was succeeded by Professor C.T.I. Odu (1978-1981). It is noted that during Professor Fayemi’s tenure, Professor Odu was a dominant figure in the department and faculty.
Later, in 1988, Professor Odu joined the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, as a visiting Professor in the Institute of Pollution Studies and as Dean of the Postgraduate School. His contract was renewed in 1994, and he continued his work at the Institute and as Dean of the Postgraduate School until 1991.
Research Work
From 1970 onwards, Professor Odu was commissioned to carry out numerous important research assignments, particularly in agriculture, oil pollution, and the impact of gas flaring on crops and soils. As project leader for Bayorant Nigeria Limited, he collaborated with Coopers and Lybrand in 1981 to prepare a report for the World Bank Rivers State Integrated Agricultural Development Project (ADP).
He also worked on nitrogen fixation in cowpeas with the University of Georgia (USA) and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. Additionally, he coordinated a nitrogen fixation research program with the Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.
Professor Odu was a pioneer in environmental research in Nigeria, carrying out numerous baseline and post-impact assessment studies (Environmental Impact Assessments, or EIA) for several oil companies. Notably, he coordinated the first EIA in Nigeria for the LNG pipeline transmission system and worked on environmental baseline studies for Shell and Nigeria AGIP operational areas.
Mediation Services
Beyond his teaching and consultancy duties, Professor Odu served as a member of the federal government delegation, led by Chief Anthony Enahoro, to the Kampala peace talks between the federal government of Nigeria and the breakaway Biafra (1967-1969).
Positions Held
Professor Odu held several prominent positions during his career, including:
- UNESCO Consultant to the Algerian government, advising on the establishment of postgraduate training courses in areas of national development.
- Foundation member of the Governing Council of the College of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (now Rivers State University), from 1970 to 1974.
- Foundation Director of the defunct Pan African Bank Limited from 1971 to 1974.
- Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources in old Rivers State (1974-1975).
- Foundation Member of the Board of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos (1976-1980).
- Director and Member of the Rivers State Government Delta Rubber Company (1984-1990).
Other notable honors held by Professor Odu include:
- The first to hold the Shell Petroleum Development Company-endowed professional Chair in Environmental Pollution Studies at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
- Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Environmental Society.
Recognition
Professor C.T.I. Odu is listed in several national and international biographical publications, including Who is Who in Nigeria, Who is Who in Africa, International Who is Who in Africa, International Register of Profiles by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England, and Who is Who in the World published by Marquis Inc., Chicago, USA.
Retirement
After retiring from his intensive academic career in the late 1990s, Professor Odu founded and chaired Ecosphere Nigeria Limited, an environmental consultancy company that successfully executed several environmental and pollution-related consultancies for oil companies, including Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Elf/Total Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd, and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG).
As a Chief
On December 24, 1988, he was installed as the head and paramount ruler of Cameron Ama in Twon-Brass following the demise of his uncle, the late Chief Magistrate Cameron. He became His Royal Highness, Professor C.T.I. Odu-Cameron (VIII), Amadabo of Cameron Ama. He reigned alongside other chiefs from Twon-Brass, including:
- Late Chief Ben Abali-Shidi, Amadabo of Shidi Ama
- Late Chief A.B. Samuel Sambo IX, Amadabo of Sambo Ama
- Late Chief Dr. William Kemmer, Amadabo of Kemmer Ama
- Late Chief Modu-Spiff, Amadabo of Ada Ama
- Late Chief Tekena Edward-Spiff, Amadabo of Ada Ama
- Late Chief Douglas James-Spiff, Regent of Ada Ama
Despite the challenges he faced during his reign, including misinterpretations by his subjects, he continued offering professional services to his community. At one point in the 1990s, his property in Twon Brass was attacked by youths due to unfounded allegations. He reigned as Chief until his passing on October 25, 2013.
His Family
Professor Odu lived a fulfilled life and had a large, polygamous family. He was married to the late Margaret Ayebaidiepreiye Ruth Odu (née Spiff), a formidable schoolteacher who taught in various secondary schools in Ibadan but never became a principal due to her non-Oyo State origin.
