The larger family of Rev Prince Joshua Oji and Dr Doris Oji of Arochukwu Kingdom has felicitated their illustrious son, Engr. Eberechukwu Oji, who turned 50 years on May 6, 2023.
To celebrate Ebere on his golden age, his elder brother Dr Boris Oji, penned down some reminiscences leading up to his impressive career trajectory.
He wrote:
On behalf of my family and the entire Doris E. Oji PhD and Rev Prince Joshua Oji JP, Crown Prince and Ugwu Aro of Arochukwu Ancient Kingdom of Abia State, and the larger family, we celebrate the 50th birthday of our son, an icon of the Nigerian oil industry, a manager of men, a soldier and minister of the Lord Jesus, a son, brother , uncle to so many nieces and nephews and a father to Ivy and Isaac, and loving husband to Nneoma Oji, Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ND Western Limited.
In life, God gives you family that you didn’t ask for but for us, we thank God every day that He gave you to us.
Engr (Pst) Eberechukwu Oji was born on May 6th, 1973 at Onitsha Olona Iselukwu in present day Delta State.
He was an early learner; our mother was a teacher so we moved around a lot.
He was the first person in our household to take the first position in his class and I remember that day vividly.
He took the common entrance exam from Elementary 5 and took the West African School Certificate in Class 4 – and both cases had excellent scores.
He started at Methodist College Uzuakoli but completed his secondary school education at Emmanuel College, Owerri. He gained admission to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri at an amazing age of 14 years.
From there, he graduated Second Class Upper Division in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Growing up, Eby (as we fondly call him) knew he would be an engineer. He was always building things (cars, play houses and lighting them up with touchlight batteries, which was very cool, thinking about it now).
He was always tinkering with one thing or the other, especially with one particular friend called Chinedu, who had similar interests.
While growing up, we always shared rooms together. While I was interested in laying the beds, Eby was not interested in that, and always told me that was not important when I tried to make a fuss about it.
Looking back now I know, I learned a life lesson from that episode, which was to focus on more important things in life, to focus on the big picture.
Eby, thanks for this and other subtle life lessons you thought each of us.
Though Eby is my younger brother, he had always inspired me, and is my hero. I had the tendency of pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable by constituted authorities and getting nearly into trouble in those days, but he was my northern star as, in my despondency, I would ask myself: “What will Eby do in this period?“
He went on the work with NETCO – a joint venture engineering company with NNPC – during his youth service, and from there got a job at Shell Petroleum Development Company and rose through the ranks rapidly as an international staff for over 23 years.
Eby was subsequently seconded to LNG in Bonny, Rivers State, before leaving Shell to join ND Western as the current MD/CEO.
He obtained multiple advance degrees and multiple master degrees from some of the best universities outside Nigeria.
With all the hectic job schedule, Eby is also an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and in charge of multiple parishes.
Eby is married to beautiful Nneoma and they are blessed with two adorable and exceptionally intelligent children – Esther and Isaac – and to say his world revolves around his family is an understatement.
Today, May 6, 2023 as you celebrate this milestone age of 50 years, we are happy and proud of all your accomplishments.
We are blessed to have you in our lives and privileged to call you our sibling.
We celebrate you because you are worthy of our celebration; and pray for many more years of happy, healthy life in Jesus name amen.
May this new age open up new vistas in your accomplished and storied life.
Congratulations Sir, and may God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
Happy birthday, Sir!
From all of us:
Boris Emeka Oji, OD/MD/PhD;
Kelly Oji;
Chiji Oji;
Chidi Oji;
Chiemeka Oji.
Siblings
Chijiokeand Ezinne Igwe and family;
Sam Patrick and Chigozie Doris Oji;
Patrick and family;
Barr Nnanna & Barr Mary Igwe;
Tochi and Dr. Chioma Oji and family;
Chijioke and Favour Oji and family;
Nnamdi and Peace Egeolu and family;
Parents
Doris E Oji, PhD &
Rev Prince Joshua Oji, JP