Described by President Muhammadu Buhari as “an indisputable journalism icon … who for more than two decades … has fascinated his countrymen and women by making the impossible possible with his exceptional journalistic talent”, Louis Osaetin Ehiosun Imafidon Odion was born on March 25, 1973 in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State.
That stated exceptionality stems perhaps from the multiplicity of the cultures, trainings and experiences that nurtured Odion — from cross-cultural grooming to diverse academic pursuits and career exposures.
Having Edo-born parents raise Odion in a Yoruba town undoubtedly helped him forge a cosmopolitan outlook and worldview quite early in life. It also enabled him imbibe values rooted in integrity, hardwork, honesty and honour.
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He hails from Odiguetue town, Ovia North-East local government, Edo State.
His wide and varied experiences in both private and public sectors at managerial level over the years have fostered a certain versatility which enables him have deep knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of governance processes, policy formulation and execution. This has, in turn, equipped him with a bespoke proficiency in strategic communication.
Little wonder that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Odion the Executive Commissioner (Operations) of the Federal Competitive and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Odion possesses two Master’s degrees in Modern War Studies and International Law and Diplomacy from two great universities — University of Buckingham in United Kingdom and University of Lagos respectively.
He earlier earned his first degree from University of Lagos and, before then, a diploma from Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He attended famous Victory College, Ikare-Akoko for his secondary education. Over the years, he has attended several other professional courses in Nigeria and abroad.
He began his journalism career in 1991 at Concord Press as a reporter and in the next eight years had a meteoric rise to become the deputy editor of Sunday Concord. Between 2000 and 2002, he was deputy editor of Saturday, Sunday and daily titles of THISDAY newspaper at various times. Additionally, he wrote an influential weekly column on the back page of the national daily named “The Bottomline”.
Later in 2002, he joined The Sun newspaper as the pioneer editor of Sunday Sun and by the time he voluntarily resigned in January 2008, the Sunday title Odion edited was acknowledged as the highest-selling within The Sun group by its management. At the time, The Sun was the widest-circulating newspaper in Nigeria.
A burning quest for more professional fulfilment led Odion to float National Life daily newspaper later in 2008 and featured as the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief.
In 2011, he stepped down from National Life to heed a call to service from his native Edo State. He was appointed Commissioner of Information and Orientation by Governor Adams Oshiomhole ahead of the highly competitive governorship polls of 2012. Upon securing a landslide victory, Governor Oshiomhole re-nominated Odion for a second term as Information Commissioner, obviously in recognition of his pivotal role in strategic communication.
After his outing in Edo State, Odion returned to his primary constituency — the media. Until 2019 when President Buhari appointed him Senior Technical Assistant on Media (OVP).
In his journalism career, Odion has bagged several awards including winning multiple times the prestigious NMMA in the category of “Columnist of the Year”. Just as he was crowned the “Media Person of the Year” in 2006 by CityPeople Magazine.
In 2014, in recognition of his contribution to journalism practice in Nigeria and in acknowledgement of a significant body of critical works cutting across disciplines, Odion was inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) by the body of editors in Nigeria.
In media circles, he is fondly nicknamed “Capacity”, in homage to his high productivity, resourcefulness, courage and knack for excellence.
In 2017, Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first winner of Nobel Prize in Literature, honoured Odion by listing him as co-author of a book, “Green Cards, Green Gods”. In a public remark later, the global literary icon described Odion as “one of the few thorough and knowledgeable writers around.”
Also in appreciation of his leadership quality and intellectual contributions to the civic space, Lagos State Government under Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN appointed Odion “Lagos State Ambassador for Environment” in 2009. Just as he was among the pioneer 8 distinguished Nigerians decorated as “Celebrity Special Marshall” in Abuja in 2009 by Federal Road Safety Corps under Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka.
A keen boxing enthusiast, Odion was an amateur boxer in his secondary school days.
A Christian by faith, Odion is married with children.
