Profile Series : Lets Talk About Nkwo Nnewi Stakeholders – Hon Julian Dozie Okafor

Profile Series: Lets Talk About Nkwo Nnewi Stakeholders – Hon Julian Dozie Okafor

His name is Hon Julian Dozie Okafor, born and bred in Nnewi. He was born into the family of Late Mr and Mrs S.D.E Okafor in Uruagu.

Growing Up, Hon Julian was opportuned to have travelled to different towns with his Dad. As a Civil Servant, his Dad was transferred to different offices ( and Towns), this meant that he moved with him.

He returned back to Nnewi after his elementary education where he subsequently started his secondary school education in Okongwu Secondary School but completed it in Dennis Memorial Grammer School ( DMGS), Onitsha, in 1983.

Hon Julian’s Father wanted to fly Julian abroad for his university education, but Julian had other plans.

”After completing my secondary education, my father made plans for me to study at the University of Maryland Quezon City which was overseas, I was offered admission but at that early youthful phase of my life, I was adventurous, so I declined and went in search of my own dreams.”Hon Julian delved into the world of entertainment with Zeal and Zest to the displeasure of his well-to-do dad, luckily for him, media houses like Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Anambra Broadcasting Station (ABS ) were willing to give him airtime.
”I featured in a play called “Ojadili” with likes of poplular Nigerian actor, Kanayo .O. Kanayo which was aired by NTA Enugu in the year 1984,” he said.

After some time, Hon Julian decided to make use of his musical talent, so he delved into the music industry where he adopted ”Dr Julidozies Bob Lacajas” as a stage name. In July 1985, he released his first album which he titled ”Boomerang”, subsequently, 1987 saw him releasing another Album which he titled ”Ochichi Nigeria”.

Not being satisfied with being known as just a ”musician”, Hon Julian Left the music industry and decided to try his hands out in the business world.

”In the business world, it was like an experiment at the beginning trying to identify the one that was best for me. I was into different kinds of business and they were all profitable to me,” he said.

His marriage to Anthonia in 1993 made him decide to focus on a specific line of business, he opted for the sale of Building Materials. This made him first of all understudy Building Materials business in Nkwo Nnewi with the help of a relative.

When he was done understudying the business, Hon Julian started his own Company, Julidozies Destinies (NIG) Dealers on all Brands of Cement, Rods, and other Building Materials at Nkwo Nnewi.

In a time when people were shying away from involving their wives in their Businesses, Hon Julian introduced Mrs Anthonia Okafor, his wife into his Company. Anthonia’s contribution to the company’s growth was magical.

” I decided to bring my wife to support me in this line of business. She was highly valuable and instrumental to me in the business because she was in-charge of the daily running of the business while I was concerned with acquiring goods and logistics which involved a lot of travelling” he revealed.As his business grew, ”The Hon Julian” who always looks out for new challenges started developing another interest – political ambition, a political ambition which emanated from his desire to effect some positive changes in the Nkwo Nnewi Building Materials Wing.

In 2006, he ran for the Chairman Building Materials Association which he won, and was re-elected the following year.

”During my regime as chairman Nnewi Building Materials Association, I and my executives created and registered the Building Materials Union constitution and also made sure that Nnewi Building Materials Association was well represented in Nnewi Traders Association.”The year 2013 was not a very good year for Hon Julian, there was a happening that almost wrecked him, he lost his ”Rock”, his Wife, Anthonia died. After the mourning period, Hon Julian found an inner strength in him to pick the pieces of his life.

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He got married to Dr (Mrs) Mercy