The pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu celebrated his 80th birthday in Abuja on Saturday amidst pomp and splendour.
The grand occasion which was chaired by the Senator representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, Senator Austin Akobundu attracted some of Nigeria’s finest and most prominent leaders in politics, business, journalism, academia etc, among whom were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party Presidential candidate at the last general elections, Mr Peter Obi, Senator Chris Adighije, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Prof ABC Nwosu, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku and other senior Executives of the Commission, veteran journalist and former Chairman of Enyimba Football Club of Aba, Pastor Emeka Inyamah among others, commenced with a Thanksgiving Service at the Methodist Church, Cathedral of Unity, Abuja, after which guests proceeded to the Rainbow Marquee for the reception.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the occasion, Senator Austin Akobundu extolled the virtues of the celebrant whom he described as a man “of puritanical values and pristine virtues…whose flowery life towers above what words can describe.”
Turning to Dr Joyce Ugochukwu, wife of the celebrant, Senator Akobundu attributed Chief Onyema Ugochukwu’s youthful looks even at 80 to her care saying that she has proved that her medical practice actually begins at home. He thanked her and the children for sustaining the honour of the home which gave Chief Ugochukwu “the wings to fly to the pinnacle of his chosen endeavours.”
He concluded his remarks by wishing De Onyema, as he is fondly called, a happy birthday, and prayed God to grant him long life in good health and happiness.
On his part, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu who went down memory lane recalling some of the remarkable events in his 80 years sojourn on earth, thanked the guests for honouring him with their presence and prayed God to also honour them with His blessings.
Other highlights of the occasion included a rich documentary on the life and times of the celebrant; a review of two books in honour of Chief Onyema Ugochukwu titled “Galvanising Development in the Niger Delta: Selected Engagements by Onyema Ugochukwu”, with a Foreword by Obasanjo and “Testaments and Testimonials: Celebrating Onyema Ugochukwu at 80.” The review was done by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies and University Orator at the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL), Prof. Gbenga Ibileye. The occasion also featured cultural display and cutting of the birthday cakes.
Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was born on the 9th of November, 1944.
