Dr Betta Edu (37 years old, South South Nigeria) is the National Women Leader for the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, member of the Presidential Health Reform Committee, member APC Reconciliation Committee and Medical Doctor who was the youngest member of Cross River state executive council under Gov Ben Ayade and presently the youngest women leader of any political party in the country. Her emergence as number one women of the progressives across the country was a signal to the world that the ruling party, APC places high premium of the leadership ability of young Nigerians.
She was born and spent her formative years in the United Kingdom being exposed social factors that shaped her leadership skills and professional excellence.
The twin born young autistic progressive began to learn self discipline and focus from her strict father who taught his children the importance of focus, commitment, hard work and sacrifice. This will later manifest in her Betta’s early resolve to avoid youth delinquency and aim to stand out among her peers and becoming a medical doctor.
Her exposure to leadership training and experience started at her young age through her father’s missionary work which he ensured did not leave out his family. The ability to mobilize, empathize, listen and communicate effectively as a leader had been imbibed to such extent that the young Betta was often picked for leadership positions both in school and church circles.
The graduate of medicine turned politician holds a degree BSc. in Medicine from University of Calabar, Post graduate Diploma & Masters in Public Health for Developing Countries from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and Doctor of Public Health from Texila American University. Being a firm believer in continuous personal development, she frequently participates in professional training from internationally prestigious academic institutions such as University of London, UK, Harvard University, University of Washington and University of Virginia, US. She is one of the youngest African Fellow of the Roya School of Public Health, UK.
Prior to her emergence as the National Women Leader of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, she served diligently under the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) led government of Prof Ben Ayade and to overnight attain such critical position was no mere feat. In a country where political rivalry is considered a fist fight, yet a very young leader female would emerge above other party loyalists to become the preferred candidate is unbelievable. Many say her track record made it an easy sale for the position when other contenders felt they were more deserved of the office.
Before serving as the Commissioner of Health for Cross River State, she was the Director General/CEO of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) where she established the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency resulting to the successful building of 60 new Primary Health Centres and rehabilitating 200 decapitated one. She also established the first Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme which enrolled over 60,000 beneficiaries. Her efforts in a short time revolutionized the state’s health sector improving maternal care, infant mortality and access to vaccine significantly. As a result of the improvement in the sector, the state gained the commendation from UNICEF as the state with highest child survival rate in the country.
Her role as a health practitioner and advocate for efficient medical care elevated her to achieve remarkable achievements that attracted foreign grants and investment into the health sector of the state and through her technical expertise introduce ingenuous ways that curtailed the corruption in the state’s health sector.
Dr Betta is one who’s reputation has applauded by both older generation and her own peers to such extent that she could easily mobilize women across all ages to garner support for the party in the 2023 elections.
As the Progressives’ first lady, she was saddled with the humongous task to mobilize women within the party both the top echelon and bottom strata. These included wives of top party leaders such as the president of the country, vice president, leaders of the national assembly, state governors, party leaders, appointees in government, top business executives within the party and women in various professions. Her ability to connect with the powerful and influential women within the party to such extent that it recorded en-masse victory at the polls both nationally and across the state is no mere comeuppance.
by U50 Media