Nigerians Making The Country Proud In The Diaspora: Lieutenant Commander Jude Ezedike Stands Out

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA 

Umuorlu Isu, Nwangele born Jude C. Ezedike, is among the Nigerians in Diaspora making the country proud, 4thestatereporters.com reliably gathered.

After reading a succinctly captured presentation by Jude C. Ezedike, a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy (USN) with the title, “Shaping American Dreams for Future Generations of Nigerians in Diaspora”, Njoku MacDonald Obinna engaged the Senior American Navy Officer on a phone interview as to know his personal drive and passion for onward service to God and humanity through his cordon blue job in America.

The highly articulated, cerebral but soft speaking Lieutenant Commander Jude Ezike, who had lived abroad and served in the United States Navy (USN) for over two decades, saw service to humanity as one of life’s most awesome privileges as he had used his Ezedike Foundation to also do quite a lot of philanthropy centered outreaches includingroad grading, food distribution to the less privileged, roofing and completion of town halls,  scholarships, donating funds to small businesses, sponsoring people abroad for better life, cash for start -ups, etc.

Is there any better way to live for God and humanity if not by touching people’s lives and leaving them better than you met them?

“The most useful and influential people in America are those who take the deepest interest in institutions that exist for the purpose of making the world better” – Booker T. Washington.

“Human life has meaning only to that degree and as long as it is lived in the service of humanity . For humanity is infinity.” – Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Peace Prize Winner).

While the above two striking philanthropic quotes truly define the man Jude C. Ezedike, he has continued to pour his life out as an offering in the United States Navy; dedicatedly rendering his professional service to the most powerful country in the world with its accompanying laurels and promotions.

In the light of above, below is the speech by one of the few Nigerians in the diaspora making the country and African continent proud in the United States of America.

“Shaping American Dreams for Future Generations of Nigerians in Diaspora”

Jude C. Ezedike

Lieutenant Commander

United States Navy (USN)

 In continuation of the trailblazing achievements of Nigerians in Diaspora, Commander Kelechi R. Ndukwe, USN, took command of USS HALSEY (DDG 97), a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, at a Change of Command ceremony held on the ship’s Bridge today, April 1. This marks the second Nigerian-American to command a U.S. Navy warship after Captain Frank E. Okata commanded USS PINCKNEY (DDG 91) from 2013-2015.
 This great milestone and key event in our history will set the center stage for our young children and future generations of Nigerian-Americans and other African countries in diaspora to emulate.  There are many opportunities in the Navy for our children in diaspora ranging from Naval Aviator, Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, Integrated Weapons Systems, Scientists, Medicine, Pharmacist, Nursing, Engineering, Maintenance Technologists, and Nuclear Propulsion Engineering to mention a few.  We need more of our children in diaspora to engage in these navy career specialty choices.  Navy career is rewarding for the sailors and at the same time enables us to meet the challenges of our forward deployed forces in various duty stations around the world. 
 “I am honored for this great opportunity to continue to serve and lead in our Navy,” said Commander Ndukwe.  “I would not have reached this milestone without the prayers and support of my family as well as the example of those that came before me like Captain Okata.  The privilege of commanding a warship is not one I take lightly and I am excited to make a positive impact, represent my family well, and defend our Nation.”
 His Command selection is an inspiration to all immigrants that America is the land of opportunity. Commander Ndukwe graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering through Navy ROTC scholarship and was commissioned an Ensign in 2002. He earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College.  As a Surface Warfare Officer, Ndukwe has served on multiple warships to include three destroyers, a cruiser, and a mine countermeasure ship with extensive deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific Ocean, and South America. 
 Ndukwe’s initial Sea and Division Officer tour was aboard USS THORN (DD 988) where he qualified as Surface Warfare Officer and served as Auxiliaries Mechanical Engineering Officer.  Remaining on sea duty, he served aboard USS NORMANDY (CG 60) as Fire-Missile Control Officer.  Forward Deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as Department Head, Commander Ndukwe served aboard USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) as Weapons Launching and Combat Systems Officer respectively. Ndukwe was selected for early command and served aboard USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain, as the Executive Officer and subsequently as the Commanding Officer. Most recently, Ndukwe served as the Executive Officer abroad USS HALSEY in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  
 Ashore, Commander Ndukwe served in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, representing the Navy on Capitol Hill as a Congressional Liaison Officer.  Further, he served as Surface Strike Requirement Officer and Deputy Executive Assistant to the Director for Surface Warfare – Navy Staff, Pentagon, Washington DC; and Resources and Acquisition Management Office Branch Chief, J8, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.   
Commander Ndukwe has been recognized with various personal, unit-level, and campaign awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.