Eze Chika Nwokedi, Wife Renew Vows as Police Chiefs, Business Moguls, Igbo Leaders Celebrate Couple’s 25th Anniversary

Eze Chika Nwokedi, Wife Renew Vows as Police Chiefs, Business Moguls, Igbo Leaders Celebrate Couple’s 25th Anniversary

By Naomi Onome

Police chiefs, prominent Igbo leaders, business executives, community leaders, friends, and well-wishers converged in Lagos on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as the Eze Okpoko 1 of Obodoukwu, Eze Dr. Chika C. Nwokedi, celebrated his birthday and 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Pst. Dr. (Amb.) Tessy Chika Nwokedi.

The glamorous celebration brought together an array of dignitaries, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom; AIG Maritime, Lagos, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat; Chief (Dr.); and some other police chiefs.

Other dignitaries include Chief Okey Udeji, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Okeyson Motors; Chief Sunday Udeh, President General of the Igbo Speaking Community; High Chief Sunday Akpoyibo; executives of the Eastern Brothers Club; as well as traditional rulers, members, and stakeholders of the Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria and prominent members of the Obodoukwu and wider Igbo communities.

The occasion combined the celebration of Eze Chika Nwokedi’s birthday with the renewal of the couple’s marriage vows, a ceremony that provided an opportunity for them to reflect on the 25 years they had spent together and reaffirm their commitment to one another.

Standing before family, friends, and well-wishers, the couple exchanged renewed vows after being reminded of the promises they made to each other a quarter of a century ago.

Eze Chika Nwokedi pledged to continue to honor, cherish, and stand by his wife, declaring, “Twenty-five years ago I chose you, and today I choose you again. I thank God for the years we have shared. I promise to continue to honor, cherish, and stand by you. May God give us grace to walk together for many more years. I love you.”

His wife, Pst. Dr (Amber)Tessy Chika Nwokedi, similarly reaffirmed her commitment to her husband, thanking God for their journey and the family they had built together while promising to continue to love, honor, and support him.

One of the biggest surprises of the celebration came when Nwokedi fulfilled a promise he had made to his wife during the early years of their marriage.

According to the celebrant, he had promised that if their marriage successfully reached 25 years, he would present his wife with a car. Twenty-five years later, he kept his word.

A brand-new car was presented to Pst. Dr. Tessy Nwokedi at the ceremony, with AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom conducting the presentation amid cheers and excitement from the guests.

The gesture became one of the most memorable moments of the celebration, symbolizing not only a material gift but also a promise made during the couple’s difficult early years and fulfilled after a quarter of a century together.

In his testimony, Nwokedi reflected on the difficult circumstances from which he rose to become a businessman, community leader, and philanthropist.

He recalled leaving Obodoukwu in Imo State for Lagos in 1992 with little formal education and limited opportunities, eventually finding his way into the Ladipo motor spare parts market.

According to him, his early years in Lagos were characterized by extreme hardship. He said he spent years sleeping on the floor of a shop, bathing outside and using public facilities, while struggling to survive and establish himself. He also recalled times when he faced challenges in paying rent and had to take on commercial transportation and other menial jobs to survive.

Despite these difficulties, Nwokedi said he refused to give up, relying on faith, hard work, honesty, and determination to change his circumstances.

His perseverance eventually earned him leadership responsibilities in the Ladipo market, where he rose to become chairman of the Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee. He later expanded his business interests and became managing director and chief executive officer of Chipresido Merchandise Property Limited.

Reflecting on his transformation from a struggling young man to a successful businessman and landlord, Nwokedi said his journey had strengthened his belief that people should remain steadfast even when circumstances appear hopeless.

He also attributed much of his success to the support he received from his wife and her family during their early years of marriage. He recalled that when he had little money and faced difficulties, his late mother-in-law supported him financially and encouraged him.

According to him, those experiences have influenced his decision to support people facing similar challenges. Nwokedi said his greatest satisfaction was not merely in acquiring wealth but in using his resources to improve the lives of others.

He disclosed that he had built houses for widows and widowers, supported families, empowered people with business grants, and provided land and other forms of assistance to members of his community.

He said his humanitarian activities were not restricted to people from his ethnic group, adding that he had also supported the education and welfare of people from other parts of the country.

His philosophy, he said, remained that success should be measured by the number of lives positively affected.

Speaking at the event, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, AIG Maritime described Nwokedi as a genuine friend of the Nigeria Police Force who had consistently supported officers and promoted positive relations between the police and the public.

Okunade, who recalled meeting him when she was an assistant commissioner of police in the Lagos State Command, said Nwokedi had distinguished himself through his commitment to helping his people through legitimate means.

“What brought me closer to him personally is that he will never—I repeat, never—be found following bad causes. Whenever Eze Chika comes forward to assist, he does so genuinely and with the sincere intention of helping his people,” she said.

She also described him as a lover of the police who was always willing to support and defend officers when he believed they had acted properly.

She added that the large turnout was evidence of the goodwill the celebrant had built over the years and prayed that God would continue to bless the couple, their children, and their family.

AIG Akpanudom also congratulated the couple, describing Nwokedi as a man who related well with people and supported the police in the best way he could.

“I wish Eze Chika and his lovely wife very many happy years in harmony, peace of mind, excellent health, and a good opportunity to expand your course,” he said.

He prayed that the goodwill Nwokedi had shown to others would return to him and his family, adding that his children and future generations would benefit from the positive impact he had made.

The police chief encouraged Nwokedi to remain committed to his humanitarian activities, saying he was already on the right path.

Chief (Dr.) Okey Udeji, Chairman and CEO of Okeyson Motors, who said he had known Nwokedi and his wife for more than two decades, described the celebration as evidence of the esteem in which the celebrant was held.

Udeji said the impressive turnout demonstrated that Nwokedi had built genuine relationships with his people.

If he has been doing poorly, people will stop following him. So for people to turn out, even with the bad road and everything, it shows how good he is to his people,” he said.

He advised Nwokedi to continue doing good and using his influence to improve the lives of others.

Also speaking, Chief Oluchukwu Melechi described Nwokedi as a compassionate leader who had remained accessible to people in need despite his success.

He said the celebrant had consistently supported widows, the less privileged, and members of his community.

“He is someone that you can call whenever you have a problem; he’ll be there for you. He doesn’t feel too big. He’s always loyal,” Melechi said.

He called on other prominent Nigerians and community leaders to emulate Nwokedi’s philanthropic activities, arguing that empowering people remained one of the most effective ways of promoting development.

His Imperial Majesty, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Great Fred Nwajiagu, also praised Nwokedi for his commitment to the welfare of Igbo residents and his willingness to intervene whenever members of the community faced difficulties.

Nwajiagu described the celebrant as a “hardworking Igbo man” who had consistently worked to protect the interests of his people while promoting peaceful coexistence.

He urged Nwokedi to sustain his humanitarian activities and prayed for long life, prosperity, and continued success for him and his family.

The celebration later climaxed with the cutting of the anniversary cake, music, dancing, presentation of gifts, and goodwill messages from guests.

For Nwokedi and his wife, however, the gathering represented more than a birthday party or wedding anniversary. It was a celebration of 25 years of marriage, family, perseverance, and shared sacrifice, as well as a reflection of a journey that began with hardship and evolved into a story of entrepreneurship, community leadership, and philanthropy.

The couple received prayers and goodwill from guests, who wished them many more years of love, peace, good health, and prosperity together. Guests were also showered with gifts presented by the celebrant.

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