By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo
It only became obvious that colleagues, family, friends and well meaning Anambrarians stayed awake only to hit the Internet agog with several birthday messages to Chief (Barr.) Cornelius Chinedu Ikem who according to the messages sighted
has reached an altitude in life that is shaping his attitude of gratitude to God. At age 63, his conviction that he has a duty to devote the rest of his life to serve God, society and do things that add significant value to humanity has continued to wax stronger. As he often says, “serve God and He will service you"
Indeed, since his birth on April 4th , 1961 at Aguleri in Anambra State, Okpudo Aguleri as he is fondly called has grown to gracefully become an outstanding personality, a great phenomenon and embodiment of achievements within his immediate environment and far beyond. His story is that of a man who understood early in life that the true essence of life is achieved in a peaceful environment, and no wonder he was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Okpudo Aguleri by HRH Eze Christopher Nwabunwanne Idigo iv, (ogalagidi) Eze Aguleri in 1998 meaning the traditional peace maker of Aguleri community.
Chief Okpudo is a successful legal practitioner who is highly regarded, respected and honoured in the society, the honour bestowed on him does not, however, stem from the immensity of his success, but from the good use to which he has put this wealth of knowledge for the service of humanity.
Over this period, he has garnered many epithets and appellations which present him as a colossus bestriding every aspect of national life. Apart from being the founder of CHINEDU IKEM & Co, a Law firm of proven distinction located at Ikoyi Lagos, he also was honoured by his community with the revered Aguleri Royal merit award in recognition of his distinction in the field of growth and development of Aguleri in 2006
Okpudo is a recipient of Honorary Doctorate degree in law and public diplomacy,
AWA merit award for
outstanding contributions and selfless services to the Aguleri community 2004. Distinguished chairman Ovala Aguleri 2006.
Chief Okpudo is a committed church leader who has devoted a substantial part of his private resources towards the care and service of the less privileged.
He is also a distinguished author, opinion leader, writer and a respected community leader whose contributions for community welfare continue to expand even as he grows older. A business icon, a philanthropist par excellence and a strong adherent to the Christian religion faith, he is also a strong character with unwavering inner convictions to which his resounding successes in many spheres of life could be attributed.
“I have a very strong character. There is nothing that I did that I wish I had not done. I have no regret over any of my past actions”, he says. Recalling when he was to set up "Chinedu IKEM AND CO, after graduating with second class honours upper division from the prestigious University of Benin which he singlehandedly established, he said he was coming up with a culture of excellence and he went ahead to define what the culture of excellence would be. It is to his credit that he is a member of so many professional bodies such as NBA, IBA, IDRPN to mention only but a few as his legal practice spanded over 30 years with reputable clienteles like the CBN, FCMB, FBN, the infrastructure bank(TIB), UBN,Access bank, UBA among others.
Over the years, this legal icon of our time and a product of Fr Joseph's memorial high School Aguleri and a holder of LLM from the university of Lagos has distinguished himself with rare altruism—sleeping, waking and thinking about how to impact positively on communities and society through his legal practice.
Okpudo Aguleri was invited by by the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willy Obiano as one of his early campaign teams, he was subsequently invited by the former Vice president of Nigeria Prof Yemi Osinbanjo to serve in the highly revered legal committee of the National council on privatisation and he made his mark, which earned several awards in his kitty.
The university of Benin trained lawyer is happily married to Mrs obianuju Sylvia Ikem whom he fondly calls Mmilidoluedo and the union is blessed.
Join OMT in celebrating this legal icon from Aguleri as he clocks 63 years today.