The birth of Chief Felix Idem was heralded in the same year as Nigeria’s independence on April 5, 1960. He hails from Ikot Ishie in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State.
Idem is a versatile, pragmatic and a seasoned administrator. He is also a cutting-edge entrepreneur with proven efficiency, packing up many years of extensive managerial experience in both private and public service.
Chief Felix Idem attended Sacred Heart Primary School, Calabar and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He later attended Mary Knoll Secondary School, Okuku in Ogoja and bagged his General Certificate in Examination (GCE). The then-young Idem gained admission into the prestigious University of Calabar for a Degree programme in Business Management. He graduated with flying colours.
Chief Idem later joined Gulfanti Construction Company Ltd as an Administrative Officer from 1982 – 1988.
Between 1988 – and 1990, he worked at Quintell Nigeria Ltd, Port Harcourt as the Management Team Head.
In 1990, Chief Idem founded Felodem Nigeria Ltd, Calabar (A construction and Managerial company). He served as Director of the company from 1990 – 1995. In recognition of his management acumen, he rose to become the Managing Director from 1995 – 2000.
In the 2000s, the call to public and community service beckoned on Chief Felix Idem. He became actively involved in politics and contributed extensively to the success of many regimes.
Some of the political leadership positions he has held include Chairman, Conflict Resolution, Obong of Calabar Palace 2003 – 2012; Chairman, Cross River State Consultative Forum 2010 – 2012; Chairperson, River Brands Concept 2014 – 2019; and Director-General Skills and Innovation Center, 2019 – 2021.
Others include Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC),
Southern Cross River State 2021 – 2023; Chairman, All Progressives Congress Elders Stakeholders, Calabar Municipality 2021 – 2023; as well as Board of Trustees, Tinubu for New Nigeria 2022 – 2023.
From 2020 – 2023, he was Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade on Local Government Affairs. He used his connection with the grassroots to work tirelessly for the success of the current administration across the local government areas of the state in the last election.
On August 16, 2023, Chief Felix Edem was sworn in as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs by Governor Bassey Otu alongside 30 others.
Chief Idem has attended many corporate and management workshops and trainings including the South South Presidential Summit on Youths in 2013, Workshop on Religion Tolerance in 2015, Youth Development and Empowerment Capacity Building (Road Map for National Development) in 2017, Indigenous Entrepreneurs’ Capacity and it Building Workshop in 2019, and Workshop on Conflict Management in Workplace, 2020.
He is a recipient of many awards some of which include the Award for Peace Building by the AFRICAN CENTRE FOR PEACE BUILDING (AFCOPB), Niger Delta Youth Award, Cross River State Consultative Forum Award, Niger Delta Elders Forum Award, Nigerian Student’s Christian Association Award.
Others are the River Brands Award for Excellence, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurs Award, Award for Humanitarian Services by Ariel Care Concept, among many others.
Chief Felix Idem is an astute businessman, a seasoned administrator, and a grassroots politician, always ready to serve.
He is happily married with children and enjoys research, sports and travelling as his hobbies.
