25 YEARS IN MIND OGBUESHI KODIT MORDI SSG 1994-1996
P.S: 1986-1994
25 years ago, in the month of October 1999, a great Iroko fell! Ogbueshi Kodit Anthony Mordi, former SSG and Head of Service, former Permanent Secretary, had transitioned into the world beyond. Born on 19th February 1938 at Eku, Delta State to Late Mr D.N Mordi (a.k.a Mordi Uno-enu which translates to Mordi who built an upstair) and Late Madam Christina Mordi, he had the genealogy of a complete Deltan: his Dad hailed from Asaba while his Mum, was a stock of the royal Ajuyah family of Warri.
EDUCATION
He started Primary Education in 1944, at Government School, Asaba, at the age of 6 years which was considered young for people of his generation and upon completion of his primary education in 1950, proceeded to St Patrick’s College Asaba where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1955 and Advanced School Certificate in 1957. In October of 1957, he was admitted into The University College, Ibadan ( now known as The University of Ibadan) where he bagged B.A (Hons) Degree Classics/Sociology in 1962. He thereafter, attended certification courses at Kings Fund Center London (1975) as well as the London School of Economics (1979), where he acquired Certificates in Health Service Administration (C.H.S.A) and Public Administration (C.P.A) respectively. He also became a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management ( M.N.I. M), from where he obtained a certification on Financial Administration.
PERMANENT SECRETARY/ DIRECTOR GENERAL
Ogbueshi Kodit Anthony Mordi held the position of Permanent Secretary/ Director General from 1986-1994 spanning the defunct Bendel State to the current Delta State. He served in several Ministries including but not limited to: then Ministry of Establishment, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Manpower Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ministry of Commerce and Industry e.t.c As Permanent Secretary, he handled several special assignments listed above.
SECRETARY TO STATE GOVERNMENT
Ogbueshi Kodit Mordi brought his wealth of knowledge as Permanent Secretary/ Director General to bear, in the disposition of his duties as Secretary to State Government from 1994-1996; with key projects commissioned by the MILAD during his tenure. Some projects not listed above, which he spearheaded through various Committees for onward approval by the MILAD, included but not limited to:
The birthing of Pointer Newspaper in October 1994
Mapping out of the Government Residential Areas in Phases
PERSONAL LIFE
Ogbueshi Kodit Mordi was known as a very intelligent man and referred to as a “Moving Encyclopedia”, and was extremely disciplined despite being a very handsome man with a great pedigree. He was also slow to anger. He had many nicknames which included “Mr Handsome”, “Every year young”. Despite these virtues, he remained gentle, humble and very faithful and loyal to his wife and children. His legendary discipline is reflected in the lives of his children. Being philosophical by nature, he was very slow to anger and yet, very forgiving. There was this saying that, if Kodit is angry with you, then you did something wrong! He was married to late Mrs Rose Mordi for close to 40 years before his transition. Late Mrs Rose Mordi, was a graduate of then Pitman Secretarial College, London and was her husband’s best friend and confidant.
He left behind Children and grandchildren among whom are Dr Genevieve Mordi-Hendrix O.D, Ph.D; Engr Stella Mordi B.Sc M.Sc Elect/Elect (COREN) Mrs Awele Mordi-Chukwudifu (ICAN, ACCA) Chukwudi Celestine Mordi B.Sc Agric Economics
