Late Chief Frank Asika Odita was born on 12th March, 1938 at Jos, Plateau State to the family of Late Chief John Apasia Odita and Late Mrs. Maria Uche Odita (Nee Igbeka). He hailed from Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force as a Constable in 1958, but retired as a Commissioner of Police in 1992. He served as the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (Force PRO) between 1990 and 1992. Late Frank Odita became a Security, Management and Public Relations Consultant after his retirement from the Nigeria Police. He was the host of Security Watch Africa, a famous television programme that was aired on African Independent Television (AIT).
He was a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and also a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM). He was a Mass Communication Graduate, a British-trained Police Officer, a graduate of Metropolitan Police Training School, Hendon, England; Metropolitan Detective Training School, Walton Street, London, England; and Institute of Management and Technology (I.P.T.M.), North Florida University, Jackson Ville, USA. He was happily married with children. Late CP Frank Odita (Rtd.) was a very Godly man who dedicated his life in the service of God and humanity. He endeared himself to numerous people during lifetime with his benevolent, compassionate, kind, loving and generous heart.
He was always proud of serving his fatherland (Nigeria) and humanity (at large) as a police officer. After his retirement from Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, he remained an unofficial spokesperson of Nigeria Police until his death, by always granting interviews from media houses. As a retired police officer he remained in active service of Nigeria Police by continuously and unceasingly defending, sanitising and promoting the image of Nigeria Police. Throughout his active years, he worked hard to promote cordial relationship between Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians. During his lifetime, he was one of the most respected retired senior police officers in Nigeria, within and outside Nigeria Police.
Chief Frank Asika Odita was a member of Board of Trustees of many organisations. In his press release shortly after his death, the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police Force, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remarked that CP Frank Odita's commitment and exemplary service during his tenure as the Force PRO earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, the media, and the public. He also noted that he played a pivotal role in enhancing the image of the Nigeria Police Force and fostering better relations with the media and the community. He also remarked that he will be remembered with respect and gratitude, and his legacy will continue to inspire all officers and men of Nigeria Police Force, as they strive for excellence in their duties.
Also describing him after his death, his ex-boss - the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police Force while he was the Force PRO - IGP Aliyu Atta (Rtd.), remarked that Frank Odita turned around the jobs of Police PROs. He further noted that Frank Odita organised workshops and seminars to improve the lot of Police PROs, as what we are seeing today. IGP Aliyu Atta (Rtd.) added that CP Frank Odita raised the bar in the Police Image of the country. Chief Frank Asika Odita was the Principal Consultant/CEO of Frankcom Limited until his death on 23rd June, 2023 after a brief illness, at the age of 85. He was given a state burial on 2nd November, 2023 at his hometown, Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria.
Echoeing the voice of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Late CP Frank Asika Odita (Rtd.) is always remembered (by those who had acquaintance with him) with respect and gratitude. His legacy continues to inspire numerous people within and outside the Nigeria Police, an organisation he so much loved and cherished during his lifetime.
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