CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Governing Council/Senate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), in the exercise of its august authority, has promoted Dr Stephen Odey to the rank of Professor.
Professor Stephen Odey’s life stands as an irrefutable testament to the transformative puissance of unwavering determination, unyielding discipline, and an indomitable intellectual spirit.
His intellectual sojourn at the University of Calabar became the crucible for an astonishing constellation of achievements; a foundational Bachelor degree in Education (BEd Hons); the crowning glory of a Second Class Upper bachelor of Law (LLB Hons); the Specialised erudition of a Masters of Science (MSc) in Industrial Sociology, Masters of Laws (LLM) in Environmental Law, culminating in the rare and magnificent attainment of double Doctorate Degrees in Law and Industrial Sociology.
Further honing his professional armory, he acquired a certificate of proficiency in computer and achieved the esteemed call to the Nigerian Bar (BL) after studies at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja. This formidable array of qualifications, each hard-won, stands as a beacon, proving conclusively that with resolute purpose, even the loftiest heights of erudition can only be attained but surpassed.
Professor Odey’s illustrious career is a tapestry woven with threads of profound scholarship, astute legal practice, visionary public service, and transformative leadership. Since 2010, he has graced the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar, as Associate Professor having supervised many Postgraduate thesis (including PhDs) also serving with exceptional distinction as Coordinator, Research and Linkages nurturing the very essence of academic inquiry. Concurrently, as Principal Partner of Dr Stephen A. Odey and Associates (Legal Practitioners and Consultants) since 2012. He is a Solicitor/Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
His profound commitment to the Commonwealth found potent expression in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2020 – 2021), where his legislative legacy resonates through the sponsorship of five (5) significant Bills including the Establishment of the Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Ogoja (passed) on the 7th July, 2021 and two (2) outstanding motions. His service while in the 9th Senate spanned nine (9) critical Senate Committees, inter alia, Education, Marine Transport, Interior, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Environment, Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Aviation and Diaspora and NGOs.
Professor Odey’s dedication to foundational education, saw him served as Executive Chairman/CEO of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Cross River State Water Board Limited (CRSWBL) and earlier as a Lecturer/Facilitator at the National Open University of Nigeria. Currently, he is Commissioner for Education and Member of the Cross River State Executive Council under the administration of His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River State.
Professor Odey has made significant scholarly contributions across journal articles, books and book chapters, referred conference proceedings and technical reports gracing the pages of prestigious local, national and international journals traversing the domains of Sociology, Education and law, his voice has echoed across continents at numerous international conferences, further amplifying his scholarly stature and has maintained active membership in over ten professional bodies.
He is a Fellow of the following professional bodies: Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Practitioners Association (NASA); Centre for African American Research Studies (CAARS); Chartered Institute of Corporate Administration (CICA); The Institute of Universal Harmony (TIFUH); Global Africa Society for Education Transformation & Internationalisation (GASETI), and The Institute of Management Consultants (IMC). He is a Member of International Sociological Association (ISA), European Sociological Association (ESA), Association of Black Sociologists (ABS) USA, Nigerian Barr Association (NBA), Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). He is also an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Mediation and Conciliation, and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and Administration. He is an Editor of International Journal of Industrial Relations, African Journal of Arbitration and Conflict Resolution, International Journal of Industrial Relations, and African Journal of Arbitration and Conflict Resolution.
His leadership in research is clearly established and has demonstrated consistent originality, scholarly independence, and thematic focus in industrial Sociology, Education, Labour Policy and Environmental Law – fields that are central to Nigeria’s development concerns.
Thus, Senator Professor Stephen Adi Odey scion of Uchu – Yache, Yala LGA, paragon of scholarly attainment, pillar of the legal fraternity, architect of educational advancement, and stalwart servant of the Republic – embodies the quintessence of academic distinction and public virtue.
His life, ascending from modest beginnings through self-forged excellence to this apogee, serves as an enduring exemplar. It is with immense pride, profound respect, and in full cognizance of his monumental contributions to knowledge, the University, the legal profession, the legislative arena, and the socio-educational fabric of our nation, that the University of Calabar elevates him to this most dignified and permanent rank of a Professor of Industrial Sociology.
Congratulations, Senator Professor Stephen Adi Odey B.Ed (Hons) LL.B (Hons) Second Class Upper, B.L, M.Sc, LL.M, Ph.D (Law) and PhD (Sociology).
Office Of The Commissioner For Education CRS
