By David Onwuchekwa
December 30, 2025, will remain indelible in the hearts of the Chidolue family of Edoji, Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State, as relations, friends and well-wishers gathered in large numbers to celebrate the investiture of Chief Professor Okechukwu Jideofonnaya Chidolue who has become Oduma Nnewi II and Ozo Eze Oduma.
The landmark celebration featured a thanksgiving service at St. John’s Anglican Church, Edoji, Uruagu, Nnewi, followed by a grand reception at the country home of the celebrant.
The occasion also doubled as a thanksgiving for his wife, Dr Mrs Nnenne Chidolue, who was formally conferred with the title Iyom Oduma, further elevating the status of the Chidolue household within the Nnewi traditional institution.
Chief Professor Chidolue was among the 45 eminent personalities earlier invested with chieftaincy titles by His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu (Igwe Nnewi), during a colourful ceremony at the monarch’s palace on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The December 30 event was, therefore, a culmination of weeks of jubilation, thanksgiving and community affirmation.
The thanksgiving service at St. John’s Anglican Church was officiated by Venerable Temple Madunagu, who charged the congregation to offer fervent prayers for the celebrants and their household. He urged worshippers to thank God for the gift of life and divine elevation bestowed upon Chief Professor Chidolue and his family, praying for continued mercy, favour and abundant blessings upon them.
Citing Psalms 92:1–2, the cleric emphasised the importance of gratitude to God, while Psalms 145:3 was used to underscore God’s sovereign power in lifting individuals according to His will.
Special prayers were later offered for the Chidolue family and members of the congregation.
Following the church service, the magnificently decorated country home of Oduma Nnewi II turned into a beehive of activities as in-laws, friends and relations from within Nigeria and the diaspora, especially the United States of America, arrived in their numbers to share in the joy.
Guests were lavishly entertained with assorted local and continental dishes, accompanied by a wide range of drinks served on request.
Music by DJ One Million, alongside vibrant traditional and cultural displays, kept the atmosphere lively for hours. The cutting of the celebration cake drew loud cheers and marked one of the high points of the event.
In a powerful show of solidarity, Ndị Nze na Ozo Nnewi arrived in full regalia to celebrate with Oduma Nnewi II. Through cultural rites and prayers, they affirmed that Chief Professor Chidolue had been duly initiated and fully admitted into the revered Nze na Ozo fold of the Nnewi community.
The celebrants received numerous gifts, including cows from in-laws and other well-wishers, further reflecting the depth of goodwill and respect enjoyed by the Chidolue family.
Chief Professor Okechukwu Jideofonnaya Chidolue is a renowned lawyer, maritime expert and former senior management staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
His distinguished career spans law, port administration, forensic accounting and public service. Trained in international and maritime law, he has accumulated decades of professional experience in both Nigeria and the United States.
He relocated to the United States in the late 1970s, where he pursued advanced education in finance, accountancy and law. Over the years, he practised law in the US, rising to become a managing partner in a Houston-based law firm with a focus on international trade, maritime law and regulatory compliance.
His professional journey later brought him back to Nigeria, where he was appointed into the management cadre of the Nigerian Ports Authority. At the NPA, Professor Chidolue served in senior operational and regulatory capacities and, at a point, acted as Managing Director of the Authority. His tenure was marked by active involvement in port operations, maritime regulation and administrative oversight within Nigeria’s seaport system.
Beyond his service at the NPA, Professor Chidolue has remained a consistent voice in public discourse, offering legal and governance-related commentary on national issues, particularly constitutionalism, elections and the rule of law.
He is also widely known for his community development initiatives, especially in the health sector. Through the establishment of specialised medical facilities in Nnewi, he has contributed significantly to improving access to quality healthcare and reducing the need for overseas medical travel by Nigerians.
A frequent traveller between Nigeria and the United States, Professor Chidolue maintains strong professional and personal ties in both countries. His global exposure continues to shape his perspectives on governance, law, public administration and development.
Widely respected within Nnewi and beyond, Oduma Nnewi II remains a notable figure in Nigeria’s legal, maritime and community development circles, with his December 30 celebration standing as a testament to a life of service, excellence and honour.
