Chief
Chief may refer to:
Title or rank
Military and law enforcement
* Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force
* Chief of police, the head of a police department
* Chief of the boa ...
Jerome Oputa Udoji
CMG,
CFR (1912–2010),
Igwe Igwe (meaning ''"Sky"''),
is a royal title or method of addressing traditional rulers that control autonomous communities in Igboland. In other words, Igbos approximate the term to the HRH style. An Igwe is therefore defined as a holder of a title ...
Ozuluoha I of
Igboland
Igboland (Standard ), also known as Southeastern Nigeria (but extends into South-Southern Nigeria), is the indigenous homeland of the Igbo people.
It is a cultural and common linguistic region in southern Nigeria. Geographically, it is divided b ...
, was a
Nigerian
Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...
business administrator, government official, traditional ruler, and philanthropist. He was one of Nigeria's most famous public servants as a result of the "Udoji Award" and his various roles in the government and private sector. Udoji commanded respect both nationally and internationally as an honest, disciplined and intellectually alert public administrator and private sector operator. He received his education at the
University of Cambridge
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
in England and later the Economic Institute of the
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. The World Bank is the collective name for the Interna ...
in Washington. He held the traditional title of Igwe, was a recipient of the Commander of the most distinguished
Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III.
It is named in honour ...
by the British Crown in 1959, Commander of
Order of the Federal Republic
The Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) is one of two orders of merit, established by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1963. It is senior to the Order of the Niger.
The highest honours where the Grand Commander in the Order of the Federal Re ...
of Nigeria (CFR) in 1963, and became a Papal knight of the
Order of Saint Gregory the Great
The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great ( la, Ordo Sancti Gregorii Magni; it, Ordine di San Gregorio Magno) was established on 1 September 1831, by Pope Gregory XVI, seven months after his election as Pope.
The order is one of ...
in 1975.
Over the course of his government career he served in the ministries of finance, health and commerce, and was head of service in the former
Eastern Region, Nigeria
The Eastern Region was an administrative region in Nigeria, dating back originally from the division of the colony Southern Nigeria in 1954. Its first capital was Calabar. The capital was later moved to Enugu and the second capital was Umuahia. ...
. He was part of the Constituent Assembly of 1977-78 that worked on the 1979
Constitution of Nigeria
The Constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and inaugurated the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
History
Nigeria's st ...
(Second Republic) and served as the official Constitutional Adviser, to the Eastern Nigerian delegation to the Nigerian Constitutional Conference in London.
Udoji was also the first Nigerian to serve as Chairman of a multinational corporation in Nigeria and his success in that position opened the way to other Nigerians: Christopher Abebe in UAC, Michael Omolayole in Lever Brothers,
Gamaliel Onosode
Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode (22 May 1933 – 29 September 2015) was a foremost Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party of Nigeria. Educated at the Government College, Ughelli and t ...
in Cadbury and Jamodu in PZ. He helped found the
Nigerian Stock Exchange
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) now Nigerian Exchange Group is a Nigerian stock exchange founded in 1961 in Lagos. As of November 2019, it has a total of 161 listed companies, with 8 domestic companies on the premium board, 144 companies on the ...
(NSE) and served as its first Chairman from 1981 to 1986 in conjunction with his service as the second Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) from 1982 to 1987. Between 1974 and 1993, he was either the chairman or on the board of at least 13 major corporations, including Citibank Nigeria, The Nigerian Tobacco Company, R.T. Briscoe, Michellin, Motor Tyre Service Company, Wiggins Teape,
Udoji United F.C., and Solgas Petroleum.
He played a pivotal role in the shaping of the post-civil war history of
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
. A celebrated administrator, teacher, lawyer and businessman, Udoji, also positively impacted other countries of the African continent, during his eventful life as a
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
consultant. For his contributions he received numerous honors and traditional titles including having schools, roads, and a government building named in his honor. In 1995 he published his memoirs, titled "Under Three Masters" and some of his speeches and correspondences as, Which Way Nigeria?: Selected Speeches of Chief J.O. Udoji (2000, Ibadan, Spectrum). Upon His passing, Governor
Peter Obi
Peter Gregory Obi (born 19 July 1961) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as governor of Anambra from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and from June 2007 to March 2014. In May 2022, he became the Labour Party can ...
of
Anambra State
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on August 27, 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State ...
stated "Udoji was a legend, a selfless Nigerian and a devout Christian who took care of the down-trodden, the widows and the poor. His death will create a lacuna that will be very difficult to fill."
Early life and education
Udoji was born in 1912 to the Ezemba-Dogbu Udoji family in Ozubulu, Ekusigo LGA of
Anambra State
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on August 27, 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State ...
. He held the title of Igwe in Ozubulu. A man of great learning and vast experience, Udoji started formal education at St. Michael's Catholic School, Ozubulu (1920–26), went to St. Charles Training College, Onitsha (1929–31), before heading to
Kings College,
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
, England (1945–48), and being called to the Bar,
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the bar in order to practise as a barrister in England and Wale ...
, London, in 1948. He was also at the
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. The World Bank is the collective name for the Interna ...
, Washington, between 1955 and 1956. Udoji received a graduate and post graduate degree from
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
.
Prior to attending King's College in Cambridge, he worked as a teacher in schools in the Eastern and Western regions, including
Ibadan Grammar School
Ibadan Grammar School is a secondary school in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria. It is currently located at Molete area, close to St. David grammar school.
History
Established in March 31st 1913. It is among the notable oldest secondary school in Ibada ...
and
Abeokuta Grammar School
Abeokuta Grammar School is a secondary school in the city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. It is currently located at Idi-Aba area, of Abeokuta. Often called the first grammar school in Nigeria, it is attended by students from all parts of Nige ...
. He also served the secretary in charge of the Western Nigerian provinces.
Public service
On his return from England, Udoji joined the Colonial Administrative Service and was made an assistant district officer in
Ado Ekiti
Ado Ekiti is the capital city of Ekiti State, Nigeria. It is the headquarter of the Ekiti central senatorial district, southwest, Nigeria.
History
Ado Ewi is an ancient city, founded by Ewi Awamaro the son of Biritikolu. Awamaro (the restles ...
before being posted as district officer for Egbado. As colonial administrative officer he had a distinguished service in
Ondo Ondo may refer to:
Japan
* Ondo, Hiroshima
* Ondo (music), a style of folk music
* ''Ondo'' class oiler, ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Nigeria
* Ondo City
* Ondo State
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo
* Ondo Kingdom (c. 1510–1899)
People ...
and
Abeokuta
Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria. It is situated on the east bank of the Ogun River, near a group of rocky outcrops in a wooded savanna; north of Lagos by railway, or by water. , Abeokuta and the surrounding are ...
provinces of the country. In 1954, he was transferred to the Eastern region and made the permanent secretary in the ministries of Health, Commerce, Finance and Establishments. In 1959, Udoji's exemplary dedication to duty, his remarkable intellectual capacity and his integrity made him rise up to the level of Head of the Region’s civil service, Chief Secretary to the Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr
Michael Okpara
Michael Iheonukara Okpara (25 December 1920 – 17 December 1984) was a Nigerian politician and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966. At 39, he was the nation's youngest Premier. He was a strong advocate of wh ...
, as well as Secretary to the Executive Council. He remained in that position until the
1966 Nigerian coup d'état
The 1966 Nigerian coup d'état began on 15 January 1966, when mutinous Nigerian soldiers led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna killed 22 people including the Prime Minister of Nigeria, many senior politicians, many senior Army o ...
. Following the coup he went into private legal practice (1966–68) and served as a
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is an American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare. Created in 1936 by Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford, it was originally funded by a US$25,000 gift from Edsel Ford. By 1947, after the death ...
Consultant in Administration and Management (1968–72).
In 1972, during Nigeria's oil boom period, he was assigned by the
Yakubu Gowon
Yakubu Dan-Yumma 'Jack' Gowon (born 19 October 1934) is a retired Nigerian Army general and military leader. As Head of State of Nigeria, Gowon presided over a controversial Nigerian Civil War and delivered the famous "no victor, no vanquish ...
administration to head a review commission of the civil service standards and compensation in the country. The commission made recommendations such as an increase in the salaries of public servants, civil servants training, a unified and integrated administrative structure, elimination of waste and removal of inefficient departments and introduction of an efficient civil service on the basis of management by objective. The commission also recommended the establishment of an Ombudsman in the country. The commission's report was portrayed in subsequent years as a salary review commission though the original intent was to study and make sweeping recommendations on the public service including the recommendation of an objective or goal oriented management style. This salary increases are known today as the "Udoji Award".
International Service
Widely traveled, Udoji served as the Chairman of the Africanisation Commission of the East African Community, covering Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (1963). He also served as a consultant to the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
Conference on the Management of Public Enterprises held in Yugoslavia (1969), and served in Swaziland (1970) as sole Commissioner for the country's Localization Commission, functioned as Secretary-General of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (1972–75) and was appointed by the
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)french: Programme des Nations unies pour le développement, PNUD is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human dev ...
(UNDP) to review and re-organise
Uganda
}), is a landlocked country in East Africa
East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
's Public Service in 1991. He was part of the Constituent Assembly of 1977-78 that worked on the 1979
Constitution of Nigeria
The Constitution of Nigeria is the written supreme law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria has had many constitutions. Its current form was enacted on 29 May 1999 and inaugurated the Fourth Nigerian Republic.
History
Nigeria's st ...
and was also President of the
Nigerian Stock Exchange
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) now Nigerian Exchange Group is a Nigerian stock exchange founded in 1961 in Lagos. As of November 2019, it has a total of 161 listed companies, with 8 domestic companies on the premium board, 144 companies on the ...
(NSE) from 1981 to 1986 and President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) from 1982 to 1987.
Business Career and Family
In the Nigerian first republic, Udoji represented the regional governments in some of the latter's financial concerns such as Hotel Presidential, Enugu and Port Harcourt and Independence Breweries, Umuahia. However, following disagreements between him and the new military authorities in 1966, he left the regional civil service to practice law briefly before joining Ford foundation. Udoji served on numerous boards as Chairman including the board of directors of R.T. Briscoe, Motor Tyre Service Company, Wiggins Teape, and the Nigerian Tobacco Company.
The autobiography "Under Three Masters: Memoirs of an African Administrator" states that Chief Jerome Udoji married Marcelina Uzoamaka Udoji née Onuchukwu, daughter of Pa William Onuchukwu, a renowned educationist in Onitsha. She died in October 1992. Jerome Udoji had three children - a daughter, Scholastica - and two sons - Osita Paul (aka Oscar) and Peter Ebelechukwu (aka Sunday) Udoji. Mrs. Scholastica Lola Onwubuya is a retired educationist, civil servant and guidance counsellor.
Chief Osita Oscar Paul Udoji is the founder and CEO of Superior Motors Ltd. and Executive Car Rentals Ltd. He was honoured by Newswatch Magazine in their "Emergent Titans" Category along with
Tony Elumelu
Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu (born 22 March 1963) is a Nigerian economist, and philanthropist. He chairs Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and is the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
In 2020, Elumelu was named on ''Time''s list of the 100 ...
,
Isyaku Rabiu
Isyaku Rabiu (9 October 1925 – 7 May 2018) was a Nigerian businessman and Islamic scholar who founded a major holding company in Kano State. He was a supporter of Ibrahim Niasse's Tijaniyyah brotherhood.
Life
Rabiu was born to the family of ...
, Folu Ayeni and Leo Stan Ekeh for their accomplishments in business. Jerome Udoji also served as Chairman for two companies which Oscar Udoji was the Founder and CEO, namely, Solgas Petroleum and
Udoji United F.C. Oscar Udoji also served as the national Chairman for the
Congress for Progressive Change
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was a political party founded in Nigeria in 2009 in preparation for the April 2011 elections.
It was the 63rd political party to be founded in the country.
In February 2013, the party merged with the A ...
(CPC) political party who finished as runners up in the 2011 Presidential Elections with General
Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari (born 17 December 1942) is a Nigerian politician and current president of Nigeria since 2015.
Buhari is a retired Nigerian Army major general who served as the country's military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 Au ...
as its presidential candidate.
Mr. Peter Ebelechukwu Udoji is the founder and CEO of BELSUN Holdings Ltd. - a going concern, and chairman of the Nigeria China Electrical Development Company Limited (Nigerchin).
Chief Jerome Udoji before his passing had 11 grandchildren.
Death
Jerome Udoji died on 2 April 2010, the day of Good Friday, at the age of 98. His son Chief Oscar Udoji confirmed this in a statement. Governor
Peter Obi
Peter Gregory Obi (born 19 July 1961) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as governor of Anambra from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and from June 2007 to March 2014. In May 2022, he became the Labour Party can ...
of Anambra State described Udoji's death as a great loss to the nation. "He was an exemplary man. He did the nation proud in every area of his life. The state government will be fully involved in the burial," he said.
Family friend Cardinal
Francis Arinze
Francis Arinze (born 1 November 1932) is a Nigerian cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2002 to 2008 and before that led the Secretariat for Non-Christ ...
said the Mass in the burial. In his sermon, Cardinal Arinze said the life and times of Udoji reflected how men who found themselves in authority should conduct themselves in public. Cardinal Arinze described Udoji as a man who used his experience, wealth and position to cater for many Nigerians by recommending a salary package for workers, while protecting the interest of the poor. "Udoji was a man of integrity, selfless, humane who lived a good life. Everyone present at his funeral today must have benefited from his Udoji Award," he said, urging all to emulate his legacies.
Also in his condolence message, Governor
Peter Obi
Peter Gregory Obi (born 19 July 1961) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as governor of Anambra from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and from June 2007 to March 2014. In May 2022, he became the Labour Party can ...
described Udoji as one of few Nigerians who projected the country’s image internationally and locally. According to Obi, the contributions set by Udoji improved the standard of lives of many Nigerians, especially civil servants, saying that their appreciation could be seen in the large turn out to pay their last respects. He said that
Anambra State
Anambra State is a Nigerian state, located in the southeastern region of the country. The state was created on August 27, 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State ...
had immortalized him by naming the newly built secretariat after Udoji and urged the Federal Government to honor him as one of the few Nigerians that have contributed immensely to the nation’s development.
In remembrance Vanguard newspaper stated "Chief Udoji was a devout Christian, a Knight and a community leader who never compromised standards and integrity. He was a rare breed whose patriotism and commitment to service was non peril."
References
*Under Three Masters: Memoirs of an African Administrator by Jerome Oputa Udoji, 1995, Spectrum, Ibadan, Nigeria
*Celebrating Jerome Udoji, the social reformer/https://web.archive.org/web/20081121205105/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/arts/2008/aug/26/arts-26-08-2008-002.htm
* Jerome, the Man Behind Udoji Award, is Dead/http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=170782/
*Jerome Udoji: An administrator par excellence /http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10146:jerome-udoji-an-administrator-par-excellence&catid=98:editorial&Itemid=351
*Biography of a Nonagenarian celebrating Chief jerome Udoji by Henryking Onyedikachukwu Adibe
;Specific
{{DEFAULTSORT:Udoji, Jerome
1912 births
2010 deaths
20th-century Nigerian lawyers
Nigerian businesspeople
Nigerian philanthropists
Commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic
20th-century philanthropists