The Yache Community in Abuja on Saturday, November 15, 2025, hosted a grand reception in honour of the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey, to celebrate his elevation to the prestigious rank of Professor. The well-attended ceremony was organized to promote peace, love, unity, growth, and the overall development of the Yache Nation—values the community noted that Professor Odey has consistently championed.
The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jato (Ubangari Kokona), graced the occasion and described Professor Odey as “a man of peace and a strong advocate of development.” He urged the Yache community to continue supporting him and to remain committed to collective progress.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Yache Advocates for Peace and Unity, Abuja Front, Hon. Prince George Ogonyi congratulated Professor Odey on his academic elevation to the rank of Professor. He commended his unwavering passion for championing peace, unity, and development across Yache Nation and beyond. Ogonyi praised the Professor for his outstanding selfless service to humanity and acknowledged him for attracting the highest number of infrastructural and human capital development projects to the Yache people.
“Yache is relatively peaceful today courtesy of Prof. Odey’s efforts in peace building across the six clans of Yache Nation,” he added.
The colourful celebration featured goodwill messages, cultural performances, and entertainment displays showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Yache people.
In his remarks, Professor Odey expressed deep appreciation for the show of love, acknowledging the presence of high-ranking dignitaries and the overwhelming turnout of community members. He described the gathering as “a profound demonstration of love for me and my family.”
He emphasized the continued need for unity within Yache Nation, noting that “love among the Yache people is paramount, and peace must always remain a top priority.” Reiterating his message, he added, “we are stronger and better together.”
As part of his goodwill gesture, Professor Odey presented 100 quality wax wrappers to women and made significant cash donations to men and women of the Yache Community in Abuja. He urged them to continue promoting peace and to sustain the support for the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, whom he described as a leader committed to transforming Cross River State.
Highlighting the ongoing road construction and the Akreha–Okpoku Bridge project, Professor Odey assured the community that as one of the passionate leaders who attracted the projects, he would ensure their successful completion.
The event attracted an impressive lineup of dignitaries from across the country, including:
Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jato, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly
High Chief Higgins, business mogul and friend of the Governor
Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Igwe, Commissioner for Housing, Cross River State
Hon. Moses Osogi, Commissioner for Environment, Cross River State
Hon. Patrick Egbede, Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cross River State
Hon. Gabriel Bravo Oluohu, APC stakeholder
Hon. Prince Tony Bisong, Director, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
Justice Emmanuel Ekaya Odibu, Judge of the High Court
Hon. John Monday Odo, Director, Cross River State Road Maintenance Agency
Hon. Idiku David, former Council Secretary, Yala LGA and Yache ward stakeholder
Hon Christopher Mohie, Councillor representing Yache ward
Hon. Barr. Paul Okwo, former Councillor and Yache Ward stakeholder
HRH Chief Demian Ododo, Chairman, Yache Traditional Rulers Council
Elder Okpoli, representative, Yache Council of Elders
…and several other notable personalities who delivered goodwill messages appreciating the bond of love, unity, peace, and development among the Yache people and their leader, Professor Odey.
The ceremony was widely described as a memorable celebration of achievement, unity, and communal pride for the Yache Nation.
By SaintAugustine Adula Odey
