By Charles Igbo
For a man known for perfection and eyes for details, former two-term Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, will, probably out-do himself next month, May.
His wife of over four decades, who he proclaims gives him absolute peace and unadulterated joy, Hon Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court, JSC, is in for a double-barreled celebration. And the proud husband is pulling all stops.
On May 12, 2022, the beautiful Justice Peter-Odili will turn 70 years. It is, also, the day she will retire from the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She was the third Nigerian woman to be appointed to the exalted office, and is, currently, the second highest ranking Judicial Officer in Nigeria.
The celebration of her 70th birthday, and her retirement from the Supreme Court, having reached the statutory retirement age, will be held at both Abuja and Porthacourt.
An invitation notification letter to both events, personally signed by Dr Odili, where he laid out the program of activities reads: “It is with a deepest sense of gratitude to Almighty God that I write to request your esteemed company to join the entire Odili family to the jubilant celebration of the 70th Birthday of my darling Wife, Dame Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC, CFR.”
He followed it with the program of activities.
On May 12, at 9.00am, there will be a Valedictory session in her honour at the Supreme Court Abuja to mark her ” graceful exit from 44 years of Judicial Service.” It will be followed with refreshments at the Abuja residence of the Odilis.
The activities will shift to Porthacourt on May 15, 2022, with a Thanksgiving Service at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy Catholic Institute of West Africa. It will be followed by refreshments at the Porthacourt home of the Odilis.
On May 16, an intellectual bent will be added to the activities with the presentation of books in her honour at the Rivers State Judicial Complex, Porthacourt.
The Odilis are blessed with four children – a medical doctor, two High Court Judges, and his father’s namesake, Peter, who is into the corporate world , and also, a Council member of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Porthacourt, Rivers State, the first privately owned full Medical University, founded by Dr Peter Odili, himself, a Medical Doctor-turned politician. Their children have since given them a bunch of lovely grandchildren all of whom they adore.
The Honourable Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC, holds the National Honour of the Commander of Federal Republic, CFR.
