Stella Oduah Explained

Princess Stella Oduah
Office1:Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Anambra North Senatorial District
Term Start1:June 2015
Constituency1:Anambra North
Birth Date:5 January 1962
Office2:Federal Minister of Aviation, Nigeria
Term Start2:4 July 2011
Term End2:12 February 2014
Predecessor2:Fidelia Njeze
Successor2:Osita Chidoka
Party:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Nationality:Nigerian

Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi (born 5 January 1962) is a Nigerian politician who served as a Minister of Aviation from July 2, 2011 to February 12, 2014[1] [2] and as a Senator from Anambra North Senatorial District.[3] She was also the Director of Administration and Finance during the political campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Oduah was a delegate for Nigeria at the papal inauguration of Pope Francis in 2013. She went along the President of the Senate, David Mark and Viola Onwuliri. She has been involved in controversies ranging from inflation of BMW cars[4] as well as her education and degree.

Senate career

In 2015, she was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Anambra North Senatorial District.[5] [6] She was one of the only seven women elected to the 8th. The others were Rose Okoji Oko, Uche Ekwunife, Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Oluremi Tinubu, Abiodun Olujimi and Binta Garba.[7] Oduah was re-elected to a second term in the Senate in 2019.[8] [9]

Background

Oduah was born to Igwe D.O. Oduah of Akili-Ozizor, Ogbaru L.G.A. in Anambra State on January 5, 1962.[10] Oduah-Ogiemwonyi received her bachelor's and master's degree (in Accounting and Business Administration respectively) in the United States. She returned to Nigeria in 1983 and she joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.[11]

In 1992, she left the NNPC to establish the Sea Petroleum & Gas Company Limited (SPG), an independent marketer of petroleum products in Nigeria.[12]

She was married to the former Minister for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi[11] and has children.

Politics

On February 9, The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) indicted Stella Oduah, and the Nigerian Subsidiary of Chinese Construction Giant, CCECC, in allege fraudulent cash transaction of about N5billion over five months in 2014.[13]

On 26 August 2021, Stella Oduah left People's Democratic Party to join the All Progressives Congress.[14] [15] When asked, She said she joined the ruling party because she wants to change the “political narrative” in the South-East region of the country.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jonathan drops corrupt Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, 3 others . Premium Times. 12 February 2014 . 2014-02-12.
  2. Web site: Jonathan's cabinet . January 7, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110809004008/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/july/04/national-04-07-2011-003.html . August 9, 2011.
  3. Web site: 2021-10-20 . Court fixes Nov 22 for arraignment of ex-Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah . 2022-03-16 . Vanguard News . en-US.
  4. Web site: How Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Forced Cash-Strapped Aviation Agency To Spend $1.6 Million On Two BMW Armored Cars For Her . 15 October 2013 . Sahara Reporters . 9 July 2017.
  5. Web site: TheScoop . 2015-03-30 . She's back, she's back: Princess 'BMW' Stella Oduah wins Anambra North senate seat . 2020-06-10 . The ScoopNG . en-US.
  6. News: Olowolagba . Fikayo . 2019-02-25 . Nigeria election result: PDP's Stella Oduah wins Anambra North senatorial seat . 2020-06-10 . Daily Post Nigeria . en-US.
  7. https://www.naij.com/448960-the-6-female-senators-in-8th-national-assembly-photos.html The 6 female senators in 8th National Assembly
  8. Web site: 2019-02-25 . Stella Oduah wins Anambra North Senatorial Election . 2020-06-10 . en-GB.
  9. Web site: Newsbulletin . 2019-02-25 . 2019 elections: Senator Stella Oduah wins Anambra North, promises to sustain her quality representation . 2020-06-10 . News Bulletinng . en-US.
  10. Web site: encomiummagazine.com . www.encomiummagazine.com . 9 July 2017.
  11. http://www.neighbours4goodluck.org/1/Princess%20Stella%20Oduah%20Ogiemwonyi%20OON.html
  12. Web site: Account Suspended . Seapetrol.com . 2013-08-30.
  13. Web site: 2021-02-16 . REVEALED: How Stella Oduah, CCECC, others laundered N5 billion – EFCC . 2021-05-18 . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Shibayan . Dyepkazah . 2021-08-26 . Stella Oduah dumps PDP for APC . 2021-09-26 . TheCable . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2021-08-27 . Stella Oduah dumps PDP, joins APC . 2021-09-26 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  16. Web site: Senator Stella Oduah Dumps PDP For APC Channels Television . 2021-09-26 . www.channelstv.com.
  17. Web site: 2021-08-26 . Stella Oduah dumps PDP, joins APC . 2021-09-26 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.