Those of you who were men of understanding in the early 70,s must have heard about Udoji's Award or money for civil servants then. The man behind the award is dead. Read more.
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.
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.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=170782

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