KNOWING NGOZI NMA ORDU

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
27th May, 2023.

On the 29th of May 2023, Ogba land shall roll out its drums to celebrate an illustrious daughter who has, made it proud in every conceiveable front.

On this day, for the first time in the history of Ogba land 'Onye Ogba' (Ogba person) shall be adorned with the regalia of deputy governor of Rivers State. This is a feat that puts Ogba land in an enviable position. The bringer or source of this honour is non other than Ngozi Nma Ordu. Obviously, this sort of reverence or veneration cannot be bestowed on any kind of person - it must be one who has distinguished him/herself in service to humanity. Ngozi's towering achievements in academics and politics are quite remarkable and outstanding yet she is as calm and harmless as a dove. As a result of her humility and calmness, many people, even in Ogba land do not know much about her.

Ngozi was born on 23rd October, 1952 into the family of the famous Samuel Elemele of Umu-Ohali kindred in Obite. Her father, Sam was an accomplished business man and a politician. Among her siblings are Chinyere Nwokidu of blessed memory.

Ngozi Nma Ordu got her first degree in Microbiology from Paisley College of Technology, Renfrewshire, Scotland. While in Scotland, she received the Best Academic Prize for two consecutive year - 1977 and 1977. From the prestigious University of London, she obtained a Masters Degree in Food Science and Management. In 1989, she obtained a Ph.D in Microbiology at the University of Port Harcourt. It is on record that she is the first Ph.D graduate in that department. She has attended series of courses on leadership in different institutions including John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA.

Ngozi began her career as a civil servant in the Rivers State Ministry of Health where she rose to the peak as a Permanent Secretary. In the history of that department, she is the longest serving Permanent Secretary. She served for almost seven years. It is also on record that during her tenure in office as Permanent Secretary, her Ministry received various national and international awards. Based on her excellent record and achievements, she was in 2006 elevated from the position of a Permanent Secretary to a Commissioner (of Education) by the Peter Odili led government. She was given the appointment in order for her to use her wealth of experience to improve that Ministry. Indeed, she performed excellently well. For the first time, Rivers state government focused more on human capital development. Against this background, many River indigenes were sponsored to study overseas. Some of the countries that these Rivers indigenes went for studies include; Malaysia, Singapore, Russia, Uk, USA, Canada. She commenced the process of handover of schools to Mission in the state.

After serving as a Commissioner, she went to University of Port Harcourt where she became an associate professor of Food Microbiology and Public Health in the department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences. Her areas of interest are molecular microbiology and the antimicrobials. She has published several articles in many local and international journals. Also, she was the first Acting Executive Director of the University of Port Harcourt Foundation. She taught briefly in Rivers State University as a visiting professor. In 2022, Rivers State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), based on her outstanding record and achievements nominated her as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election. Before her nomination, she was the Director of Academic Planning, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State.

Ngozi is married into the Ordu family of Akabuka. She is blessed with five children.

May her administration usher in immeasurable development to Ogba land and the entire Rivers State.