A quintessential administrator and a first-class political leader. A shrewd industrialist and businessman. A loving husband and father. These are some of the qualities that have inscribed the man John Oyegun’s footprints on the sand of time and etched him in the heart of our beloved country Nigeria, for his hard work and resilience in the fight for a democratic government.
As others join his own, the Edo people, to celebrate the life and times of this great man with the official opening of the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) and his birthday from this weekend, the man John Odigie Oyegun is a man of stoic discipline and a major driver of Nigeria’s nascent democracy. His emergence as the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 contributed in no small way to the victory of the party in the presidential election a year later. His notable works and humble demeanor have over the years won the trust and hearts of the people that they are willing to bank on any venture with his name and support. His track record among other things has been marked with unwavering dedication, hard work, and success from his days as a civil servant to becoming the Federal Permanent Secretary at age 36. The youngest in his generation.
The man John Odigie Oyegun is the song of time whistling the sweet and soothing melody of a war hero that has conquered many battles and has returned with the spoils of freedom for his people. A selfless leader. Indeed, he came, he saw and he is still conquering.
Early Life
Mr. John Oyegun was born on the 12th of August, 1939 to Pa Daniel Osagiede Odigie Oyegun and Mrs. Shaka Elizabeth Oyegun in Warri Delta State. His father was of Edo descent, and his mother was from Agbarha Ugehili Delta State. He attended St. Patrick College, Asaba. He got his tertiary education at the University of Ibadan in 1960 where he bagged a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Economics in 1963. His time at the University of Ibadan wasn’t only marked with academic excellence as he excelled in both social and political endevours. He was a resident of Kuti Hall where he served as Hall Secretary. He was also a member of the Nigeria Youth Movement led by Otegbeye which was against the colonial government at the time.
He joined the Federal Civil Service in 1963 where he worked in various capacities at different levels and was appointed a Federal Permanent Secretary in 1975 at age 36. In this capacity he served the cabinet office, Ministry of Science and Technology from 1982- 1983; Ministry of Internal Affairs from February to September 1984, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry from September 1984 to December 1985.
By retirement in December 1985, He had put in a total of twenty-two years in the Federal Public Service, nine of which were as Permanent Secretary. Chief Odigie Oyegun at various times served the board of many public, private, and international entities. Some of these include the defunct Nigeria Airways, Nigerian National Shipping Line, Nigeria Port Authority, Regency Paint Ltd, and Editorial Board of Guardian Newspapers among others. He was also a member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and also represented Nigeria on the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He married his wife Mrs. Victoria Nkosenyem Oyegun in 1965. The marriage is blessed with adorable children.
Politician and Activist
Chief Odigie Oyegun was a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). A group of upcoming politicians who were qualified, dedicated, and firmly believed in the Nation. It was a unique period where good-minded people naturally decided to resist the then-Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, who annulled the election of M.K.O Abiola. In his words, “For me it became evident that we had a problem and that problem was the military, who had become competitors for power. And unless we took the opportunity to let them know that their place was in the barrack and to defend the country and not in the governance, we would continue to have interchange between them and civilians in government and that may bring permanent instability and the country would never move forward,” Daily Trust NP 2019 noted.
Edo State was one of the places that protested violently for the total abolition of the system and Mr. John Oyegun was greatly blamed for this. He was declared wanted by the military and was forced into exile after he refused to denounce his affiliation with NADECO. He suffered a great deal of economic and personal loss during this period one of which was losing his furniture-producing factory in Benin City. The factory was raided twice by the military, and the aftermath of the raid was a complete collapse of the factory. “This has been a heavy price I paid for the love of the country and I am glad I was able to pay,” Daily Trust NP 2019.
While in exile he emerged as the Executive Secretary to NADECO overseas. With the likes of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Professor Wole Soyinka, among others. H.E. Chief John Odigie Oyegun fought relentlessly for the total abolition of military rule and the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
In 1989 he ventured into politics and garnered significant success against all odds. In 1991 H.E. Chief John Odigie Oyegun was elected as Civilian Governor of Edo State under the SDP platform and he became the First Executive Governor of Edo State. He served from January 1992 to November 1993 after General Sani Abacha seized power. Later he became a leader of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2009 He was chairman of the Technical Working Committee of CODER.
On 13th June 2014, Chief Odegie Oyegun was elected as national chairman of the APC, which was a merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a section of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the then new PDP. A converted position that was veered for by many but was conferred on Mr. Odegie Oyegun because he was in all ramifications the best man for the job. Although he admitted that the task of savaging Nigeria would not be easy because the rot in the country was deep. He registered his confidence that under the stewardship of APC, Nigeria would progress and Nigerians would thrive. True to his prediction APC won the Presidential elections which was a major feat as it was the first time an incumbent Democratic President was unseated after his first tenure.
The man John Odigie Oyegun is a man of excellence and wit. An ardent believer and contributor toward the fledging democratic government in Nigeria. A pioneer of change, birthing government free from oppression and coaction. The man John Odigie Oyegun is indeed a man of prestige, influence, and affluence; his political and economic credentials, as well as historical performances over the years, are a testament to the fact that H.E. Chief John Odigie Oyegun is a hero among men and humility personified.
QUOTE: The man John Odigie Oyegun is the song of time whistling the sweet and soothing melody of a war hero that has conquered many battles and has returned with the spoils of freedom for his people
