KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Odenigbo, on the road to history

ACHO ORABUCHI

When most Nigerians in the Diaspora salivate on every opportunity for political foray in Nigeria, there are a few individuals here in the USA, who believe that their political contributions would be more effective where they call home—America. However, venturing into political activism in America is a monumental task; actually running for any political office is a road less traveled by many people, particularly the foreign-born.

Still, there are a few people that have the guts to attempt to run a political campaign in America where issues matter. One such person is Mr. Colet Odenigbo. Colet is vigorously campaigning for a seat on Dekalb County Schools Board. If he wins, he will be making history in Georgia, USA for two reasons: Firstly, he will be unseating an incumbent Anglo, who has represented a predominantly minority district since 1976. Secondly, Mr. Odenigbo will be the first foreign-born to win the coveted seat.

Mr. Odenigbo, why are you running for a seat on the Dekalb School Board?

I am running to bring about a much needed change in our school system and facilitate equitable distribution of resources to all our schools regardless of where the schools are located. I want to reduce the number of our children that are being criminalized for behaviors that can easily be redirected by positive engagement and not prosecution. Finally, I want to help bring about a diverse representation on the board that will represent our diverse community.

Why have you chosen to run for an office here instead of running for one in Nigeria?

Well, I have always been a strong advocate for our involvement in the political process of this great nation. Democracy in our continent will be sustained when we among other things, begin to have elected officials here as colleagues rather than just social friends, it is only then that our plights and causes will be theirs. Also, where better to acquire a comparative democratic knowledge that can benefit our people in Nigeria than here in the United States? So in essence, this involvement becomes a training ground for us.

Generally speaking, what kind of support have you received so far?

Well, the answer to that question will be two folds: from the American community, the support has been very strong, because I have invested by way of service to this community; they know that I am passionate about what I believe in for the good of my constituency. So they have supported me very well. Now from the African community, it is also two folds: one I have to educate them on why they need to get involved, and then educate them on the need for political contributions to facilitate the project. Generally, they agree that it is high time we immersed ourselves in the process. Once they peruse my campaign website and see the extent of involvement, it reduces their level of apprehensiveness. In any case, we are making tremendous stride.

Profile of Colet Odenigbo

Often regarded by many of his peers as a man of courage and conviction, Colet Odenigbo’s passion for serving the under privileged, fighting injustice, and striving for equality for all is evident through his years of activism, volunteerism and community service.

Colet was born on April 4^th, 1965 to Sebastian and Georgiana Odenigbo in Nigeria. He grew up in a large Christian family of ten where everyone cared for each other. He moved to the United States 1986 after completing high school and junior college at Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. In 1988, he joined the United States Navy, he completed eight years of obligated service, and was honorably discharged from the reserve in 2002 after serving fourteen years. His tour of duty took him to five continents and 38 states of the union.  He attended Alabama A&M University where he graduated Magna Cum Luade. At Alabama A&M University, he was the president of the Pre-Law Club, and his collegiate chapter of NAACP. In 1994 as the collegiate chapter president of NAACP, he along with Presidents of other historical black Universities led a protest against a Mississippi state initiative to close all historical black universities. He represented the University on the Board of American Red Cross on Minority Initiatives for three years.

After graduating from college, he joined the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice as a Juvenile Probation and Parole Specialist. He later joined the Dekalb County Juvenile Court as a Senior Probation Officer and was later promoted to the Program and Resource Manager. He is a trained Mediator; He has served on many community projects in Georgia, such as the Dekalb County Truancy Project, The Dekalb County Gang Task Force, and the Dekalb Homeless Census Project.  He is a regular speaker at various Dekalb County Schools on Career Days, utilizing his life journey and experience in motivating young adults to stay in school and out of Juvenile Court. As an officer of the court, he had to balance the needs of the child with the need to protecting the rights of citizens of Dekalb County Georgia. As a Program Manager, he implemented programs that were geared towards redirecting the negative behaviors of those youth involved with the court.  He recruited an African based care group to specifically attend to the needs of young offenders of African parents to reduce cultural conflicts. 

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the Dekalb County Democratic Party, the Young Democrats of Georgia, the Garden City Home Owners Association, Toastmasters International, the National Association of Probation and Parole Officers, and Christ Our Hope Church in Lithonia, Georgia. He is an active participant in various community forums both in his district and other surrounding districts. In the African Community in Georgia, Colet is very active in community activities; he is an executive member of Orlu Regional Union Atlanta, and Igbo Union Atlanta. Colet is a contributing writer in the Atlanta based African Quest Newspaper. He also features regularly in other Nigerian forums.

As a candidate for the Dekalb County School Board for District Nine, if elected, he will effectively work to address the following areas of need in our community at large:

• Increased Math and Science test scores in our schools

• Equitable distribution of resources in all Dekalb County Schools

• Establishment of` a Teacher-loan forgiveness program

• More Effectively Utilizing existing resources and facilities for after school learning and recreational activities

• Effective representation on the board, a member that will be proactive in identifying the needs of the children, families and our schools, including teachers and administrators.

• Foster better relationship among board members

He’s going to infuse new energy and new ideas for better Dekalb County Schools.

It’s imperative that we give Mr. Odenigbo all the support he needs for a successful campaign and a triumphant result in November 2006.