As tears continues to wet the eyes of many lovers of the late illustrious Aviation Expert, Pastor Ijeoma Herbert Odika, his family has announced his funeral service of songs for July 24 and interment for July 25, 2025, at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Late Odika was born to Rev. Dr. Eugene Odika and Rev. Mrs. Victoria Peace Odika of blessed memory, who were founders of the Church of Faith Bible Ministry worldwide. He took over the mantle of leadership of the church when his parents passed, and has steadied the missionary work of the church in spite of his tasking aviation job.
Pastor IJ was indeed a people's delight, who combined corporate administration with missionary work and as well as philanthropy. Through him, many were employed into the aviation industry and he was generously loved by people across tribal backgrounds, particularly Issele-Uku people.
Below is the official profile of Pastor Ijeoma Herbert Odika as published by Wikipedia;
"Ijeoma Herbert Odika is a professional in aviation ground operational management, business development, sales, and marketing. He is a 2001 graduate of business studies from the University of North London. He started his career in the United Kingdom developing skills and experience in business negotiation with proven ability to motivate and influence others, excellent judgement with the ability to implement positive changes and raise performance standards.
After 5 years of working in the United Kingdom, Odika came to Nigeria to assume the office of the Head of Operations and Business Development at FMC Aviation Services Limited where he helped to grow the business from the initial start-up stage to a prosperous period of sustainable growth and profitability from 2011 to 2018. He was responsible for the operational management, finance and budgetary control, administration, and marketing strategies.
In 2018, Odika proceeded to Stansted Airport College in the United Kingdom as the Senior Tutor Aviation Operations to deliver classes, seminars and workshops within the Aviation and tourism landscapes while working closely with the Manchester Airport group.
Afterwards, Herbert Odika assumed the office of the Chief Operating Officer at NAHCO Aviance in 2019 where he was responsible for engaging in business acquisition in Africa, Middle East and Europe while establishing policies that promoted service excellence. He went back to the United Kingdom in 2022 where he worked with Menzies Aviation as the Lost Luggage Coordinator, focusing on Operations, Customer Services, Planning and Reconciliation Duties.
With his new appointment as SAHCO’s Executive Director of Operations, Herbert Odika would oversee the management of the day-to-day operations of the Passenger handling, Baggage handling and Ramp handling amongst other ground handling activities in all SAHCO’s stations across Nigeria. Odika is a strict adherer to policies and procedures and is skilled in aviation ground handling, especially in accordance with international standards. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
By adding Odika to its astute Management team, SAHCO has proven its determination to maintain its position as an aviation ground handler of reference in Africa by ensuring that the team encompasses of highly skilled aviation professionals of international experience to ensure that the growing list of clienteles are treated to international standards.
SAHCO is an aviation ground handling company that offers Passenger Handling, Baggage Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation Security and Profiling, Premium Lounge Services and other aviation related services".
Pastor Ijeoma Herbert Odika will forever be missed, not just by his loving family but those who depended on him for their daily survival. He was one person who earnestly supported community development and ensured his people never lacked employment opportunities and human capital development when he was in a position to render assistance.