Service of Songs For former AG, Chike Ofodile in New York

A service of songs and celebration of life was held in New York on Saturday October 4 in honor of Nigeria's former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Chike Ofodile, SAN, OFR, who died in Onitsha, Nigeria on August 3.

The service and reception held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Tarrytown was attended by many Nigerians from all walks of life with speakers recalling Ofodile's virtues and statesmanship. Chief Ofodile who was also the Onowu Iyasele or traditional Prime Minister of Onitsha kingdom in Nigeria, was remembered as a loving father,grandfather, a great mentor and teacher, a historian and culture expert as well as an exceptional lawyer.

In attendance at the service were members of Ofodile's family, Daughter and son-in-law, Sam and Ifeanyi Maduegbuna and their children, Onitsha titled men and women, Nigerian Lawyers Association members, Christ the King College, Onitsha alumni and other professionals.

Ofodile who was born in 1921 had his early education in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria before proceeding to England for legal studies. He was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in 1959 and returned to Nigeria to start an illustrious career. In 1979, Ofodile was appointed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and later Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in 1984. When General Buhari's government was overthrown, Ofodile returned to his legal practice in Onitsha. In 2008 President Yar' Adua conferred Ofodile with the national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR)

Chief Ofodile also participated actively in his native home affairs and was later honored with the traditional title of Onowu Iyasele of Onitsha, the rank of prime minister in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Nwaononaku Josephine Ofodile, six children and many grandchildren.