Mama Cassava
We are sad to announce the death of our Amazon and Comrade Madam Juliana Odey a.k.a Mama Cassava who drifted away peacefully to Glory on Tuesday, the 10th of December 2013.
Through her work, her brilliant mind and her relentless energy she has left the world a better place. She has never flustered in saying LOUD and CLEAR that “Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa does not need GMOs!” Farmers can feed the world and she is ready to galvanize women in Nigeria to campaign against GMOs.
She was a loving and protective mother and an adoring and adored grandma. She was treasured by all her family, friends, allies and comrades.
She wasn't always the easiest person but her breadth and depth of personality meant that we all remained gladly in her wake.
Mama Cassava will be greatly missed.
Her funeral arrangements will be announced by her family soon.
Sleep on Mama, Great is your Peace!
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Citation Madam Juliana Ifo Odey: Recipient of the Comrade Che Ibegwura Award 2010
Madam Julina Odey also known as Mama Cassava was born on the 16th of July 1941, she hails from Bekwara in Cross- River State. She has grown cassava for more than a decade. She was the Coordinator time Cross River State Coordinator of the Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria and presently in the board of the organisation
She has been involved in the campaign and mobilization of rural women on the benefits and need to cultivate cassava, a staple food crop consumed by people in Nigeria and in some other parts of Africa daily. In recent times, the biotech industry, the Bill Gates and their allies are doing everything within their power to drive Nigeria and the whole of Africa down the GM road, but their attempts have been faced with strong resistance. Mama Cassava had been and is still one strong voice speaking firmly against the introduction of GMOs and in particular GM Cassava (a.k.a super cassava) in Nigeria.
She is unswerving in her belief that we do not need GMO; Nigerians can feed themselves and that farmers can feed the whole world. She has maintained her stance on “No to GMOs” in the various fora she had been invited to speak, either organized by pro GMO or anti – GMO groups. Worthy of note is the Public Hearing on the Biosafety Bill organised by the Joint Committee on Science and Technology and Agriculture, Abuja, on the 9th of December 2009, where she minced no words in condemning the introduction of GMOs via the bill into Nigeria and stated that Nigeria does not need GMOs. It is instructive to note that, like most anti – GMO groups, she was not invited for this hearing, but because of her doggedness she went and spoke for what she believes in, with some of her members to support our collective cause.
Mama Cassava had her primary education at Holy Ghost Primary School, Makurdi, Benue State in 1948 – 1954 thereafter became a student of Women Training Centre in Enugu, Enugu State in 1955 – 1956.
In 1957 – 1958, she proceeded to Sacred Heart Hospital, Obudu, Cross River State, and in 1959 – 1960 attended Malta Miscericodae Hospital Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
As a lover of knowledge and research, Mama Cassava had a stint ( a practical training) at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos State in 1990, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State in 2004, Raw Material Research and Development Council, Abuja F.C.T in 2007 and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State 2010.
Being a renowned reader and researcher she has the following certifications to show for it:
Certificate in fish drying, bottled palm wine, soap making, odorless fufu, fufu flour from cassava in 1990
Certificate in High Level Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and Glucose syrup from cassava in 2007
Certificate in cassava processing and product development and cassava product packaging and labeling in 2010
Certificate in High Level Cassava Production “ Unleashing The Power Of Cassava In Response To The Food Crisis In Africa” In 2010
Mama Cassava, despite her age, (69 years old woman!) has remained undaunted and active in the struggle and has over the years demonstrated this by the depth of her knowledge and work experiences.
She started her working life as a consultant on agriculture/food processor and a trainer in 1990.
Still in 1990, she became the Chairperson, Managing Director, Jucab Ventures Nigeria Limited. While in 2005, she embarked on cassava training workshop in two senatorial Districts of Cross River State tagged “TRAINING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” where women were trained in various processes of using cassava to produce chin-chin , meat pie, doughnut bread e.t.c.
Meanwhile, in 2000 - 2005, she was the Chairperson, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Cross River Chapter.
In 2007, she became a member of the Board of Trustee (BOT) of Nigeria Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria while in 2008, became the Vice Chairperson, Potato Growers Processing and Marketing Association of Nigeria(POGPMAN).
In 2009, she was the Zonal Co-Coordinator, South – South Potato Growers Processing and Marketing Association of Nigeria. (POGPMAN).
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