Town Planner Dr. Chijioke L. Odimuko @ 80: The Journey of an Achiever ~ By TPl Stephen Chukwudi Nwazue
According to an American motivational speaker, writer and consultant, Denis Waitley, “Highly motivated achievers are looking not to receive but to contribute. They are looking for problems that are personally satisfying to solve”.
Town Planner Dr. Chijioke .L. Odimuko falls among the category of people who have inspired many, both in the academic and other facets of life. This has been exemplified by the way he has researched and contributed in scholarly works and served towards the repositioning of institutions where he served.
Tpl Dr. Odimuko was born on March, 1941 to the family of Chief Dickson and Joana Odimuko Nwachukwu of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Ohuhu Umuahia North LGA, Abia State. He attended Primary School at St. Michael Okaiuga Nkwoegwu.
After Methodist Central School Umuokpara he went to Ngwa High school Aba where he did Cambridge School Certificate Grade 1 in 1960.
As a man who was on mission, he moved to the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1962 to study Geography and graduated in 1966 with 2nd Class Honours Upper Division.
After the Nigerian Civil War of 6th July 1967 to 15th January 1970, Tpl Dr. Odimuko continued his academic journey by going for a post graduate studies in Canada at the University of British Columbia and Queens University for Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree Courses respectively in Urban and Regional Planning.
His academic exposure and tenacity took him to Schools outside the shores of Nigeria where at some point, he taught in Secondary Schools, Universities and Polytechnics in Nigeria including: Queens University Canada, University of Jos and Federal Polytechnic Nekede Imo State.
During his time at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Tpl Dr. Odimuko, rose to the position of Deputy Rector of the great citadel just as he served as the Pioneer Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
Tpl Odimuko, worked for the then Imo State Government under the State Secondary Education Board. He also served as a Pioneer Member of the Committee on Landuse Allocation.
Furthermore, he became a member of the Canadian Institute of Town Planners in 1974. Member of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in 1980, Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. Served as the Pioneer Secretary of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Imo State Chapter. He became the Pioneer Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Abia State Chapter at the creation of Abia State and later became the President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. He is also a Trustee of the Association of Town Planning Consultants (ATOPCON).
After his academic prowess, he founded the Niger Plan Integrated Limited, a Town Planning and Urban Development Firm in Umuahia, located at No 44 Azikiwe Road Umuahia Abia State.
Indeed, Tpl Dr. Odimuko has spent his life impacting and imparting society. His community is not left out as he has served as the Secretary General of Ohuhu Union from 1981 to 1992 and Special Adviser to the Cabinet of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Autonomous Community Ụmụahia.
Tpl Dr. Odumoku is a devout Christian and a former President of Council of Knights of Anglican Diocese of Umuahia and Chairman in Council of Knights of the Ecclesiastical Province of Aba.
He got married in 1972 to Mrs. Elizabeth Iheoma Odimuko (Nee Onwuliri) who is an educationist but retired from Public Service of the Abia State Secondary Education management Board (SEMB) and the marriage is blessed with children and grand children.
It is in recognition of his selfless services to humanity and to the body of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Abia State Chapter, that members of the Town Planners of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, today Saturday, August 13th 2022, join hands to honour Tpl Dr. C. L. Odimuko as he celebrates his 80th birthday which coincides with that of the 70th birthday of his wife and their 50th marriage anniversary.
As you celebrate this day, it is our earnest prayer that God adds more years to you and your wife, make your union blossom the more and above all, keep you to continue playing your advisory role to the body of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. Amen. Sir You are indeed an asset to Abia Town Planners.
Written by TPl Stephen Chukwudi Nwazue, Chairman Abia NITP for the entire members.
Tags: Dr. Chijioke L. Odimuko
