It was indeed a Saturday night of pomp and pageantry, as Victoria Island area of Lagos State, Nigeria, was agog for an enigma, a woman of substance, an iconic Woman entrepreneur, who has made the country proud with topnotch economic aura.
Lady Ada Chukwudozie, fondly called ‘Lady Ada’ or ‘Ada Dozzy’ by business associates and friends, clocked 52 years on Friday, June 7, 2024 and was treated to an impressive display of ceremonial grandeur in Lagos State.
Lady Ada is the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, and a member of the Presidential Tripartite Committee on New Minimum Wage.
In what appeared as a surprised birthday package, put together by family, friends and business associates, Lady Ada was seen in a video, arriving DANI Resturant, The Delborough Lagos, venue for the birthday bash, at Bishop Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island, Lagos, in her elegance style of golden colour dresses, with perfect designers.
This was, even as a respected traditional ruler in Yoruba land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), the Ooni of Ife, has said that celebrating Lady Ada once in a year “is not enough for me on the throne of Oduduwa”.
The Paramount Ruler of Ife Kingdom, while sending his birthday wishes on Friday, said, “Celebrating Lady Ada Chukwudozie, today, should be something that should be reoccurring from time to time, because of her giant strides, her contributions to the private sector and as a mother, a wife, and a very responsible female entrepreneur per excellence.”
The Ooni further said, “Celebrating Lady Ada Chukwudozie shouldn’t be a one-off on a yearly basis for me, she has been very impactful, she has been very supportive as a mother, as a wife and an entrepreneur.”
He stressed that, “Combining all the responsibilities, has actually shown her to be very different amongst equals. For me, I celebrate you on daily basis, for things you are doing and things that you will continue to do in your area of endeavor and how you have been very selfless in contributing to our nation as a whole.
“Celebrating you today, for me, is a continuum. Celebrating you today is beyond, and not just for friends and family to gather. Celebrating you should be very focus driven towards your achievements and things you have done, and your very big dream in making very positive impact in the area of manufacturing, as a lady, as a woman and as a mother.
“It is very rare to find such an iconic person in that space. Celebrating you should be something that is very noble, and very noble, not only to the women folks, but a challenge, a very big challenge to the men folks.”
In acknowledging the supportive role of the husband of Lady Ada, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie (MON), the Ooni said, “I will thank the Chairman of Dozy Group, your husband, for giving you that support all the time, for you to be celebrated like this.”
“Happy birthday. Long life and prosperity. We are very proud of you. I am particularly proud of you from the throne of Oduduwa. Keep up the good work. Fire on! The sky is not even your limit. You have no limit in anything you want to do. God bless you, God bless your children, God bless your family, and God bless the works of your hand,” the Ooni prayed for the celebrant.
Also, at different locations on Friday, Governors of Anambra and Imo States, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and Senator Hope Uzodinma, respectively, and Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, eulogized the “Amazon”, praying for God’s unending grace and protection upon her.
“You have won several national recognitions and so on and so forth. It is quite amazing seeing you as the Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Southeast and now serving in the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee”, Gov. Soludo was quoted as saying, in a viral video Friday morning.
Governor Uzodinma, on his part, prayed for “Long life, good health, good business, strength in everything you do and grace of God, and many more years to come”; while Onyejeocha described her as a worthy daughter of the South East, who is making Nigeria proud.
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, who was physically present at the surprised birthday bash in Lagos on Saturday, lauded the leadership quality and good work of Lady Ada at the MAN in South East, saying, she has helped in shaping the economy at the national level.
Prominent amongst the dignitaries that graced the surprised birthday in Lagos on Saturday include, Mr. Peter Obi; a Nigerian businesswoman and fashion enthusiast, the 3rd richest woman in Africa and founder, CEO of Bolmus Group International, Hajia Bola Muinat Shagaya MON; Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Barr. Allen Onyema and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo.
Others are, President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye; the DG of MAN, Segun Ajayi Kadir; Chairman of Dappman & Northwest Petroleum, Dame Winnie Akpani; Chairman of RainOil, Chief Gabriel Ogbechie and former Minister of Interior and Chairman, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho.
Also present, are, GMD of Champion Newspaper, Dr. Nwadi Iwuanyanwu Iheakanwa; Chief (Sir) & Barr. Mrs. Uju Ifejika, CEO, Britannia U; Sir Ebuka Okafor; Mr. Mike Ezeaju, Chairman of Swiss Trade; Sir Ndukwe & Lady Ijay Ndukwe, Chairman of Soulmate Cosmetics; Chief Mrs. Nkiru Anumudu, Chairman/CEO Globe Motors; Mt. Matt Aikonibare; Mr & Mrs Buraimo of Blokk Energy; Mr. Stillian & Daughter of Swift Oil; Mr Tony Onyema, CEO of Techno Oil & Gas Ltd.; Stanley Uzochukwu, owner of Delborough Hotel and Chairman of Stanel Group; Sir & Lady Maria Ihionu; amongst others.
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