PROFESSOR MRS. CHRISTINE ODI
Prof. Christine Odi is a distinguished academic and a professor of Theatre and Gender Studies at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. She is also an author, a counsellor, and a humanitarian with a heart to bring about positive change to the lives and homes of women and families across the Niger-Delta region and the nation at large through the medium of arts and theatre. She has had years of experience working in the public sector and is at the vanguard of promoting peace within communities as well as seeking opportunities for the advancement for the female gender. Her nomination as a Niger Delta Peace Legend is in recognition of the innovative role she has played in using her area of expertise to proffer peace to communities in the region.
BACKGROUND, EDUCATION, AND CAREER
Prof. Christine Odi hails from Bayelsa State but was born and raised in Ajegunle, Lagos State. She was raised under difficult circumstances in the slums of Ajegunle. She however did promise herself to use education as a springboard to escape the effects of such negative environmental influences. She began her educational sojourn at the Anglican Primary School, Ajegunle and later proceeded to the Muslim Teachers’ College, Apapa for her post basic education. She also attended a secretarial college for two years before she secured admission to the University of Port Harcourt to study Theatre Arts.
Upon her graduation in 1995 and subsequent one-year mandatory youth service, Prof. Christine Odi joined the services of the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture. Upon the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996, she then moved over to the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture and served as one of the pioneer staff of the council.
Prof. Christine Odi later proceeded to the University of Ibadan for her master’s degree in Theatre Arts. During this same period, she joined the services of the Niger Delta University. She has since gone on to obtain her doctoral degree from the University of Ibadan and is now an authority in theatre arts and gender studies.
Prof. Christine Odi is at the pinnacle of her profession and has had a lot of theatre artists trained under her. She is also a member of numerous professional bodies including the Performing Arts Council of Nigeria. She has attended several workshops within and outside the shores of the country and has published several scholarly works in academic journals. She is also a recipient of several awards and has represented Bayelsa State at several events and engagements.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Most of Prof. Christine Odi’s scholarly works are based on issues in the Niger Delta region and how they can be resolved by the vehicle of theatre. From time to time, she also engages in community theatre. This is an avenue where she and her troupe visits communities in the region, pays attention to their issues and then offer fresh perspectives on how such issues can be resolved. She has received several accolades for embarking on this initiative and turning attention of the academia to the plight of the region.
Prof. Christine Odi has a bias for the female gender. According to her, her passion is to see women become better and live the best version of their lives. All of her social and humanitarian work is targeted at empowering young girls and women. This passion has led her to set up several initiatives to help raise awareness to the plights of women in the society.
Prof. Christine Odi has also been involved in managing conflicts in the office and around her sphere of influence. She is able to read situations and know how best to respond to issues. Her repertoire of leadership skills has enabled her to deal with varying levels of conflicts with wisdom.
Prof. Christine Odi is a bold, fearless and determined woman who thrives on tackling and taking up new challenges. She plans to use her recognition as a Niger Delta Peace Legend to draw more awareness to the neglect that the Niger Delta region has suffered over the years and to empower the female gender through quality education.