(PRESS STATEMENT)
The death has been announced of Mr John ltodo, a community leader in Benue state.
He passed away on Sunday, 6th August 2023, in Makurdi after a brief illness.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PA JOHN ITODO.
Pa John Itodo was born in Ekeh-Olengbecho, in Edumoga land, Benue State on 29th September 1943 into the family of late Chief Pa Itodo Eba.
Pa John Itodo started his primary education at St Patrick Catholic School, Aokpe, in 1950. His successes started with him passing the First School Leaving Certificate with distinction in 1956.
When primary education was the highest educational qualification for many people at his time in his immediate community, his love and passion for education pushed him to further his education. He gained admission into St Michael’s Secondary School, Alaide, for his secondary education in 1957 and bagged the West African School Certificate in 1962. It was remarkable that throughout his high school days, he came tops in his class.
Pa John Itodo gained admission to study Business Administration in the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in 1965 and graduated in 1969 as the FIRST UNIVERSITY GRADUATE IN EDUMOGA LAND.
His educational achievements inspired a lot of young Edumoga sons and daughters to consider university education instead of then usual Teachers’ College.
To widen his professional horizon, Pa John Itodo attended an Advanced Marketing Course in London in 1976.
He had started his professional career in 1965 with the State Ministry of Information, Kaduna, as Press Officer Grade 1 and later moved to Jos as the Trade Officer in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Benue-Plateau.
While he was making steady progress as a civil servant, he was not having the desired job satisfaction. He, therefore, resigned and moved to the commercial hub of Africa, the Lagos State. While in Lagos State, fortune smiled on him as he joined Daily Times Nigeria in 1974 as the Deputy Advert Manager, where he made great achievements. He later became the Group Advert Manager at Punch Newspaper; the position he held until 1979.
His exploit in the media industry earned him appointment as the Assistant General manager, Nigeria National Supply Co. Limited.
Pa John Itodo prepared himself for executive position and later held directorate positions in many industries and corporations. He was a director in Radio Benue Corporation Makurdi, Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited, Lagos; Anambra Motor Manufacturing Co. Limited (ANAMMCO), Enugu; and New Nigerian Newspapers, Kaduna.
Pa John Itodo was also an Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management; Member, Institute of Marketing Specialist, England; Member, Institute of Business and Technical Management, England.
Pa John Itodo was a devoted and loving father and husband. He was a devout Christian and a highly principled personality who lived an admirable life as a core disciplinarian who expects everybody to do things in the right way.
He is survived by six children amongst whom are Mrs Helen Onyibe (nee ltodo), the wife of Mr Magnus Onyibe, former commissioner in Delta state government, Hon. Anna ltodo lkese, a current commissioner designate in Benue state and Anejo Itodo, a Ph.D. candidate in physics at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, UK amongst other children.
He could have been 80 on the 29th of September, but he passed away on August 6.
He will be greatly missed by his children, numerous grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.
E-Signed:
Mrs Helen Onyibe
For the family.
