Shocking: Loud Silence As Fred Alasia, Odili’s Powerful Chief Of Staff Dies

Chief Frederick Sunday Alasia, the super powerful, brilliant Chief of Staff to former governor of Rivers State Dr. Peter Odili, who died on Thursday, October 21, 2022, has been buried in his home town, Okparaki community in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Alasia who died at 74 years, was buried March 25, 2023. National Point sources reveal that Alasia had died unnoticed and his remains undetected for days during the flood that ravaged the Orashi region in 2022. He was said to have been earlier moved to the first floor of his home, from the ground floor as the flood waters welled. Largely living alone, Alasia eventually died unnoticed as family and community members battled to save themselves and property from the flood waters of 2022, generally considered the worst flood incident since the 2012 flood. Found in circumstances perceived to be humiliating, his remains were then taken to a morgue in neighbouring Bayelsa State.
Afflicted with spinal paralysis for decades, Alasia was largely wheelchair bound, even in the hey days of his reign as one of the powerful, colourful personalities thrown up by the Odili reign as governor in 1999, when civilian rule returned in Nigeria.
The brilliant, eloquent Alasia had a personality which loomed large in the state during his controversial time as Chief of Staff to Peter Odili. He had returned to live in his community reportedly in 2018, after selling off his house at Nzimiro, Amadi Flats, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, his cars and other valuable properties.
Alasia was unarguably, one of the foremost political propagandists in the state at a time. He was highly controversial, a brain box and engine room for the good or bad performance of Dr. Peter Odili from 1999- 2007.
Fred attended Baptist High School in Port Harcourt in 1965. At the start of the civil war in 1967, he returned to his family stead in Edagbiri, Joinkrama. During the war, as was customary for young boys at the time, Fred gave himself the nickname Janta Manta, the name of a character from his favourite movie. Janta Manta, was a magician who many agreed was uncannily similar to Fred.
Fred returned to Baptist High School in 1972 for his higher school certificate. He completed his programme in 1973. After school, he was recruited as a teacher in the same school. It was while teaching at Baptist High School that he won a scholarship to further his education.
Fred attended the University of Wisconsin Superior, United States of America from 1977 to 1981. While there, as always Fred was a star. In addition to being the first black student Union President, he successfully completed three degrees. A double bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Radio, Television and Film production. And a master’s degree in Communication propaganda.
Always a believer in blossoming where you are planted, he returned to Nigeria in 1981 and embarked on his NYSC programme from 1981 to 1982 during which time he was able to put his journalism degree to good use at NTA. While there, he became known for his popular segment that exposed criminals.
After his NYSC, he became a freelance journalist, his work during his time as a freelancer landed him his job at the Instructional Resource Centre, University of Port Harcourt in late 1983. Fred did not stay as an ordinary staff member for long, he soon became the Head of Department and a member of the University Senate.
Fred’s interest in politics had begun to take root. He went on to form several clubs with young men who would later become notable members of society. One of such clubs was the B-Club, formed in the time of General Ibrahim Babangida, 1985-1993. Fred also took on the role of campaign manager for the then National Republican Convention gubernatorial candidate, Chief Zebulum Abule.
During his early days lecturing at Uniport, Fred met a female medical student named Osuo-abo Solomon. A few months after their meeting, the couple got married in August, 1985. During the early years of marriage, Fred focused on his work as a lecturer and the young medical student became a doctor. The marriage was blessed with three children, two girls and a boy.
Unfortunately, Dr. (Mrs.) Osuo-abo Alasia died in 2018 and after the death of his wife Fred welcomed a fourth child in 2021.
In 1998, Fred left the world of small-scale politics after he took on the role as campaign manager for Dr. Peter Odili. His Excellence in the game of politics brought him fame, respect and earned him the nickname ‘Prof’.
During Dr. Peter Odili’s tenure, Fred served in several capacities including Senior Special Assistant to the Governor 1999- 2000, Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA 2001 – 2003 and Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government 2003 – 2007.
During his years in Service, Fred Alasia was known for his sharp mind, his intellect, his wit and the unique ways he solved complex problems. His skills made him an invaluable asset to his party, government and people.
Fred Alasia was an intense, strongly opinionated personality, who did not ever suffer adversaries gladly in any shape or form. He fell apart with relatives, friends, associates and this made him a loner, at his home town Okparaki and similar spaces until his lonely end.
Even in death, due to the unsettled misunderstanding, the former governor Peter Odili, numerous friends and associates shunned his funeral rites. Rather, they all graced the burial ceremony of Chief Omunakwe Nsirim (OCC) Apiti of Rumueme Kingdom on the day Alasia was buried.