Jerome, the Man Behind Udoji Award, is Dead
By Nnamdi Duru, 04.13.2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010

One of Nigeria’s illustrious sons, Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji has passed on. His son Mr. Oscar Udoji who confirmed this in a statement made available to the media said that he passed on at age 98.




http://odili.net/news/source/2010/apr/13/203.html

For most Nigerians, who remember the famous Udoji Award of the 1970s, which caused public servants to smile home with robust wages, perhaps the biography of Chief Udoji, the man who initiated this economic revolution would make an interesting read.

Born to the Ezemba-Dogbu Udoji family in Ozubulu, Ekusigo LGA of Anambra State in 1912, and Udoji was an administrator, lawyer and businessman, the late Udoji gained admission to King’s College and University College, London where he eventually studied Law. After being admitted to the British Bar, Udoji sought employment at the Colonial office in London and succeeded.

He later returned to Western Nigeria (Ado Ekiti Province) where he started off as an Assistant District Officer and later rose to become the first African to be appointed District Officer under the colonial rule.

He was Head of Service in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. He later served as President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In 1972, he headed a Civil Service Commission to review standards of service and compensation within the civil service which made sweeping recommendations on the public service including the recommendation of an objective or goal oriented management style. The review was popularly known as the Udoji award.

Between 1968 and 1972, Udoji was as Ford Foundation consultant in East Africa. He was also a recipient of the national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State described Udoji’s death as a great loss the nation.

“He was an examplary man. He did the nation proud in every area of his life. The state government will be fully involved in the burial,” he said.

Was it not this man who gave all the civil servants in Nigeria money to buy mortorcycle in the 70's when he was Ford foundation president in Africa?

R.I.p grand pa

Owo Udoji awon baba baba wa . .

Yers, he was legendary and its a pity the only thing he is remembered for today is his football club at Awka.

OMG!!!! What happened to his football club Udoji United

puskin:

OMG!!!! What happened to his football club Udoji United

Its still there, I guess.

Udoji United Football Club is dead. Perhaps, it will be ressurected someday. The club does not belong to the late Jerome Udoji. It belongs to Oscar Udoji. The late Jerome Udoji may not be known to people born in the mid seventies and later - this group of people know people like Ras Kimono and Papiluwe. A complete history of this country will never be told without Pa Jerome's contribution to the society. May he rest in peace.

truequeen:

Udoji United Football Club is dead. Perhaps, it will be ressurected someday. The club does not belong to the late Jerome Udoji. It belongs to Oscar Udoji. The late Jerome Udoji may not be known to people born in the mid seventies and later - this group of people know people like Ras Kimono and Papiluwe. A complete history of this country will never be told without Pa Jerome's contribution to the society. May he rest in peace.

Is Oscar Udoji his son or brother?

May his soul rest in peace.At least this is one name in Nigeria, we could associate with good reforms. My parents mentioned it to me in chit-chat while growing up in the 70s, so I more or less linked the name as I saw the post.
An unsung hero,relatively unknown by later generations.Rest in peace the more Pa Udoji.Wish my parents were alive to celebrate as many years as you did.May their beautiful soul rest in peace too."Ile nje'niyan".O ma she ooo

The late Jerome Udoji was not the founder of Udoji United. His son Oscar did.