The Late Comrade David Chukwudebelu Ojeli was born on 12th December, 1933 to Chief Patrick Ojeli of Umunwoha family of Umuiyasele village Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State and Mrs. Mary Ojeli (Nee Enebeli Ajie) who hailed from Ogbe Ukwu Aboh in Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State.
Comrade Ojeli was the first child of his parents and he had eight siblings.
He had his Secondary School Education at Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. On completion of his secondary school education, Comrade Ojeli secured employment with the then Eastern Region and was an active member of the Civil Service Union.
A man with strong appetite for sound education, Comrade Ojeli attended several higher institutions both in Africa and overseas. Among other sterling academic qualifications, he obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial Relations and Labour Studies from Hague, Netherlands.
Ojeli was a prolific and consummate writer and had to his credit several titles such as “Financial Problems of Trade Unions in Nigeria”; “The Professional Trade Unionist in Nigeria” ; “Labour Legislation and Administration in the USSR”; “Workers Organization: Its Role and Activities in the Promotion of Sound Labour Relations”; “Industrial Relations in English Speaking West African Countries” among many others.
A prominent trade unionist, Comrade Ojeli rose to become the National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union from 1977 to 1986. He also held the position of Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress from 1978 to 1986. Joining forces with his colleagues, he made significant contributions towards achieving better work conditions for workers.
Very significant among his enduring legacies as a unionist was the protest against the abolition of car and housing loan for Federal Workers which was later won at the level of Industrial Arbitration Panel. The achievement was a watershed that generations of workers have continued to benefit from.
On retirement from the Civil Service, he was appointed Chairman, Labour Transport City Service, Yaba, Lagos between 1995 to 1996. He also served as Special Assistant to the then Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
Comrade Ojeli was married to Mrs Florence Ojeli until her demise in 1994. He later remarried in the year 2000 to Mrs Ebele Ojeli. The union lasted till his transition.
Comrade Ojeli was a devout Catholic and held dearly to his faith. He was a forthright man who spoke the truth in all situations, shunned materialism and pursued what he believed in with all his strength and God-given talent and wisdom. He never shielded away from any issue that concerned the welfare of workers. Indeed the entire workforce has lost a friend, a brother and a defender of their rights. His life was one of dedication to the wellbeing and welfare of civil servants and other workers. He was a recipient of an Honourary Citizenship of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Beside his wife, Ebele, Comrade Ojeli is survived by five children namely: Mrs Nkechi Osakwe, Mr. Victor Ojeli, Mrs. Nwaka Anwasi, Mrs. Uju Ononuju, Mrs Uche Alozie and a daughter in-law, Mrs. Ebele Ojeli.
Several other beloved ones he left behind are his brothers and sisters, several in-laws, grandchildren and many other relations.
His remains will be committed to mother earth in his country home, at Umuiyasele village, Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, 9th of December, 2023 after a Requiem Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Atani.
May his soul have eternal rest in the bosom of his creator, Amen.
VICTOR OJELI
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