John Odey

John Ogar Odey was a Nigerian politician who served as minister of information and communications in July 2007 and became minister for environment in December 2008 after President Umaru Yar'Adua reshuffled his cabinet.

Biography

Odey graduated with a B.Sc. in banking and finance from the University of Calabar in 1986. He was active within the media, with positions such as general manager for South-South Communication and chairman of News Agency of Nigeria. He was appointed National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples [Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party] in 2004.
He served as minister of information and communications and then as minister for the environment in the cabinet of Umaru Yar'Adua. In March 2010, he handed over to the permanent secretary for the ministry of environment after Vice President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.

Death

Odey died on Sunday, 7 October 2018, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after a cancer-related illness that made him travel out of the country for medical treatment.

Burial

Odey's remains were taken home on Tuesday, 6 November 2018, for burial in his hometown, Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, amid tears and testimonies. The body arrived at about 5 pm, and was taken to the Christ the King Catholic Church in Okpoma for Mass in his honour. He was buried in Okpoma on Wednesday, 7 November 2018.