Biography

Biography of Chief Godfrey Chira Chidozie, PhD, KSJI

‘Ichie Oku n’enye ife Ojoto’

Honest, brilliant, influential, and intellectual are a few words that readily come to mind when describing the Late Chief (Engr.) Godfrey Chira Chidozie, Ichie Oku n’eye ife Ojoto. A true role model on how to live a life of integrity. He was a loving husband, a caring father, a doting grandfather, an indulgent brother, a wise uncle, and a trusted friend and colleague. How lucky we all are to have known this amazing man.

Starting from very humble beginnings as a village boy in Ojoto, he overcame great odds to pursue a first-class education that propelled his illustrious career in the Nigerian civil service. An avid sportsman who was active in every community he lived in and even in retirement, he continued to pursue interests in education and remained very influential and instrumental to the development of his community.

Early Days

Godfrey was the first child of Nwokafor Uduezue Chidozie and his wife MaryRose Nwaku Nwamelu Chidozie of Ezieke village. Godfrey started school in 1948 at St Odilia’s Catholic Primary School Ojoto, where his brilliance as a student showed early. 

Old Boy Govt College, Umuahia

At Umuahia, he made his mark and continued to excel both in academics and sports. He excelled in maths and became well known for his boxing skills. He spent a total of six years at Govt. College Umuahia and upon graduation had earned his WASC and HSC, awarded by the University of Cambridge, and a GCE awarded by the University of London. 

Becoming an Engineer

In September of 1962, he left for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study Electrical Engineering. He graduated in June 1966 and opted to work for Electricity Co-op of Nigeria ECN (old name for NEPA) in Lagos. 

In the middle of the war, he took a leave of absence to return to Ojoto to wed his beautiful bride Helen Chidozie (Nee Okigbo) in May of 1969, she joined him at Akokwa where they both remained until Biafra fell and the war ended in Jan of 1970.

An Illustrious Career

Shortly after the war ended, Godfrey was re-absorbed into ECN and was posted to Onitsha in February of 1970 as a Reconstruction Engineer where he oversaw the rehabilitation of damaged power networks. 

His career successes brought on new responsibilities, all over the country. In 1997, after 30 years of service at NEPA, he retired from a multi decade career arc that reflected the hope and promise that was post-independence Nigeria. A career that was marked by service to the nation and community building. 

Electrification of Ojoto

After a career building power stations and electrifying communities, it only made sense that he would wish the same for his hometown. He had worked tirelessly over years to overcome all the obstacles in the way, and finally in December of 2000 Ojoto Unoh was hooked onto the National Grid. His chieftaincy title Ichie Oku n’eye Ife Ojoto reflects the appreciation the people of Ojoto have for the work he did to bring power to the community. 

Entrepreneur and Community Involvement

Ichie Oku was an entrepreneur at heart. He believed in investments and encouraged everyone to set aside some of one’s income for investments in blue chip stocks in the stock market and some for investing in real estate. His advice to his mentees upon getting their first jobs is to unfailingly save at least 10% of every paycheck for long term investments. If a career in Engineering had not worked out, he most certainly would have made it as an investment manager. 

Having benefited tremendously from the Ojoto Improvement Union (OIU) scholarship in the early 1950s, he was interested and participated actively in the planning and execution of development projects in Ojoto and was the chairman of Progress Union of Ojoto in Lagos for several years. In Ojoto, as Ichie Ezieke, he was a very senior Ichie in the cabinet of Eze of Ojoto and his impact was felt with the numerous monetary contributions he made towards projects at the primary school, church, and various community projects. 

Faith and Family Life

His faith was at the centre of his life and provided a moral compass for his interactions with the world. He was very involved in the church in Ojoto and was chairman of annual church bazaars from early 1970s; in fact as soon as the war ended, he became a popular candidate to chair the annual Thanksgiving and Bazaar at St. Odilia’s Church. In 1975, he journeyed to Rome and Lourdes on a holy pilgrimage, a journey he spoke about often. 

He was a partner in every sense of the word to his wife Helen and was very supportive of her interests. She was his confidant, and he truly valued her opinion. The two of them were a formidable force and created a stable and loving environment to raise their children. 

As a father, Ichie Oku was loving and involved in his children’s lives, he was always available to help with homework and had the patience of a teacher. He was also a favourite with his grandchildren whom he adored and would often share his meals with. 

Final Years

Ichie Oku suffered a stroke in February 2017 that kept him in a wheelchair, limited his mobility but not his spirit or humour. His quick wit would always show up now and again to remind you of whom you were dealing with. He took things easy and got to spend quality time with his grandchildren, several of whom are now in the University. 

He passed away surrounded by his children on Thursday, November 4, 2021. This was a day after he was given the last sacrament by a priest, so he was fully prepared for the final journey. He now rests in the Lord and is survived by his wife Mrs. Helen Chidozie (Iyom Akubugwu II), 6 children Mr. Chike Chidozie (Ichie Owulu Ojoto), Mrs. Amaka Udeze, Mr. Chukwuma Chidozie (Nnanyelugo), Ms. Ngozi Chidozie, Mrs. Chinelo Chidozie Egbuna, and Mr. Chukwuemeka Chidozie (Onochie); 5 sons and daughters in law; Chiedozie Udeze, Amauche Chidozie, Ikenna Egbuna, Awele Chidozie and Etana Chidozie; 11 grandchildren Kamsi, Kosi, Adaobi, Chiedozie, Uzoamaka, Ebubenna, Nathan, Ngozi, Nnamdi, Owen, Ifeanyi, and Justin; One brother Anthony Chidozie (Ugodinobi) and three sisters Mrs. Obiageli Ekwosiobi, Mrs. Nwanneka Ojialor, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obiasor.