Hon. (Dr.) Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo: a proven humanitarian, a tireless grassroots champion, and the natural choice for Ogoja/Yala in 2027
By: Egbelo Edward
Hon. (Dr.) Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo is a woman whose life’s work speaks far louder than words, a humanitarian whose compassion is practical, consistent, and deeply rooted in genuine concern for people. From her early years in public service to her present national appointment, she has shown an unwavering dedication to humanity, carrying her community along with her in ways that mark her out as eminently qualified to represent Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
As Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State, she championed empowerment programs that gave vulnerable women and widows a real chance to build livelihoods, providing starter packs and skill acquisition opportunities that restored dignity and independence. Her tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs further showcased her administrative competence, as she worked closely with councils to strengthen development at the grassroots, understanding firsthand the challenges and opportunities that communities face. These roles gave her rare insight into governance, budgeting, and delivery skills that will be valuable in federal representation.
What truly distinguishes Stella Odey-Ekpo, however, is her approach to humanitarianism. She has never been content with lofty statements. She delivers tangible interventions that meet people’s needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many leaders limited themselves to press releases, she toured her ward, distributing fertilizers, agrochemicals, face masks, hand sanitisers, and financial assistance to farmers and families. She understood that hunger and hardship were the most immediate threats her people faced, and she met them with practical solutions that cut across party lines and reached ordinary households. These are not acts of showmanship but evidence of a leader whose first instinct is to care.
In her public messages during festivities, she has always called for unity, harmony, and collective responsibility for one another’s wellbeing, reminding our people that progress can only come through peace and shared purpose. Whether through advocacy, empowerment, or relief interventions, her actions consistently reveal a woman who sees leadership as service and humanity as her guiding principle.
Today, as a Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State in the Federal Character Commission, she sits at the heart of national governance, entrusted with ensuring equity and fairness in federal appointments. That appointment is not just a recognition of her competence but a validation of her integrity and trustworthiness at the highest level. It also gives her the networks, visibility, and influence to ensure that the voices of Ogoja and Yala are heard in Abuja and that development resources flow back home.
For the people of Ogoja/Yala, the choice before them is not just about sending another politician to the National Assembly, it is about choosing someone with the proven capacity to listen, to act, and to deliver. Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo has lived a life of service that blends compassion with competence. She has shown that she understands the struggles of ordinary farmers, the aspirations of women, the frustrations of youths, and the hopes of entire communities. She has demonstrated, in role after role, that she is not detached from her people but embedded in their daily realities.
If representation is about carrying the burdens of the people into the halls of power, then Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo has already been doing just that. Her humanitarian record, her administrative experience, her grassroots touch, and her national influence make her more than qualified, they make her the natural and best choice to speak for Ogoja/Yala in the House of Representatives come 2027.
