Princely Emeka Chujor

Chief Princely Emeka Chujor 

Chief Princely Emeka Chujor is a lawyer, politician, administrator, and community leader from Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. Over the years, he has served his people in various capacities, notably as Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Commissioner in the Rivers State Executive Council, and Board Member of the Rivers State Housing and Property Development Authority. His life reflects a blend of academic pursuit, political service, and community development.

Birth

Princely Emeka Chujor was born on 28 February 1957 in Ogale, Nchia, Eleme Local Government Area, to Chief Josiah Ngobgoe Chujor and Mrs. Mercy Josiah Chujor.

Education

He began his formal education in 1963 at the County Council School, Ogale, where his first teacher was HRH Chief Oji Awala. His studies were interrupted by the Nigerian Civil War and political unrest in the late 1960s. He later continued at Holy Trinity School, Nchia, for Primary 4 and 5, and completed Primary 6 at Alesa State School in 1972.

In January 1973, he gained admission into St. Pius X College, Bodo City, before transferring in 1974 to Okrika Grammar School, where he graduated in 1977. That same year, he proceeded to the United Kingdom, where he attended Kelsterton College of Technology, County Clwyd, North Wales, and completed his O’ Levels and A’ Levels. He later studied at Holborn Law College, London, and subsequently obtained a scholarship to the University of West London, graduating in 1984 with a law degree.

Work Experience

Before returning to Nigeria, Chujor worked in London as Administrative Manager at Seba Electronics Ltd, Hanwell. He returned to Nigeria on 23 August 1985, shortly before a military takeover, and began his National Youth Service in Kaduna in December of that year.

After completing NYSC, he enrolled at the Nigerian Law School in September 1986 but withdrew due to financial constraints. He later worked with Derlita Marine Ltd, Apapa, Lagos (1987–1989), and with his cousin, Princess Adankele Pat Ajudua, in her establishment. In 1990, he returned to Law School, graduating in 1991 and was subsequently called to the Bar.

He co-founded a law office in Lagos in 1991 before venturing into politics. In 1992, though persuaded to step down for Hon. Olaka Nwogu in the Eleme LGA Chairmanship race, he served as Legal Adviser to the council, creating several revenue committees. In 1997, he contested again but lost at the primaries, and subsequently served as Legal Adviser under Dr. Nwokolu Dinkpa-nte.

In 1998, during another military transition, he contested and won the Chairmanship of Eleme LGA. Sworn into office in June 1999, he became widely known for initiating development projects and for his role in resolving the Eleme–Ogu/Okrika conflict through the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Later, he was appointed Commissioner and member of the Rivers State Executive Council under Governor Celestine Omehia in 2007. He also served as Principal Legal Aide to Hon. Johnson Olaka Nwogu at the National Assembly. From 2019 to 2023, he was a Board Member of the Rivers State Housing and Property Development Authority, and in 2023, Governor Siminalayi Fubara reappointed him for a second term.

Chief Chujor was conferred with a traditional chieftaincy title in November 1992, representing the Chujor family in the Ejii Council of Chiefs.

Achievements as Council Chairman (1999–2002)

As Chairman of Eleme LGA, Chief Chujor embarked on several development projects, including:

Construction of a town hall for Ejii Community, Ogale.

Borehole water project in Ogale.

Refurbishment and reconstruction of the Dispensary Center at Ebubu.

Construction of a new block at Okerewa Primary School, Aleto.

Provision of relief materials for displaced Ekporo people after the Eleme–Ogu/Okrika conflict.

Reconstruction and remodeling of the town hall at Agbonchia.

Refurbishment of Alesa Waterworks and repair of water pipelines across Nchia.

Clearing and rehabilitation of drainage systems in Nchia.

Construction of the Women Development Center.

Renovation of the Eleme council secretariat, including new toilets and a staff restaurant.

One of his most notable contributions was leading Eleme’s defense at the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where his administration engaged Senior Advocate of Nigeria A. O. Mogho to secure Eleme’s territorial rights.

Private Life

Chief Princely Emeka Chujor is married to Mrs. Lola Princely Chujor from Abeokuta, and their marriage is blessed with children.

Edited by Nwafor Oji Awala 

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine