An Abridged Citation of Chief Uzuegbuna Okagbue
Chief Uzuegbuna Okagbue (Uzu) was born on 1st October, 1977, to the family of Chief and Mrs. Chike Okagbue, of Mgbuke village, in Umunnachi, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. Born as the last son into the affluence of his father, Chief Chike Okagbue of Bessoy Group; a very successful businessman based in Onitsha, Uzu commenced his early life in Onitsha, attending International Nursery School, Onitsha, and Premier Primary School, Onitsha, now All Saints Primary School. Upon graduation from primary school, Uzu then proceeded to Dennis Memorial Grammar School – DMGS, Onitsha, where he distinguished himself in learning and character as his results and recognitions by the school attest.
After his secondary education, Uzu continued his further education at the University of Abuja, where he first graduated with a diploma in law certificate. Thereafter, he was admitted to study Political Science at the same University, and in record time, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, from the University of Abuja. Uzu then proceeded to his compulsory National Youth Service from where he joined a new generation bank as a full staff at the end of his service year.
Since he joined Fidelity Bank Abuja, he remained on the path of steady growth with regular awards from the bank for almost ten years, before he was invited by the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie M. Obiano, whom he met at the bank, to join him in the service of Anambra State. Before then, Uzu already had set up some businesses that were fast growing. However, when Chief Willie Obiano was returned elected in 2013 and subsequently sworn in, Uzu fully joined the services of the Government of Anambra State on secondment from the bank. From 2014 to 2018, Uzu served as Governor Obiano’s Chief of Protocol. A job he discharged with optimal excellence, as attested to by every single individual. Mindful of the quality of service and value he has brought to the government, the then Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in 2018 doubled his appointment. The governor’s decision reflects the popular saying that the reward for work well done is more work. So, in 2018, in addition to the position of the Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Uzu was also appointed the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and served in this dual capacity from 2018 to 2022.
Upon the end of Governor Obiano’s tenure in 2022, Uzu remained a staff of Fidelity Bank Abuja till his willful resignation in 2022, to focus on his many thriving private businesses. Then, in 2023, he contested the senatorial ticket of his then party to contest the Anambra Central senate seat without success but has remained steadfast in service to God and mankind.
Uzu, a firm believer in learning and how profoundly better our society can become because of what we know, set out to deepen his leadership and management skills. First, he attended the Harvard Business School executive education programme, “Ascending the Peak: Finding the Leader Within.” Thereafter, he proceeded to the Harvard Kennedy School, attending two executive leadership trainings under the Harvard Executive Education Programme. The first is “Emerging Leaders,” and the second programme is “Leadership Decision Making,” thereby preparing him for the serious task of leadership ahead of him.
Even more, Uzu is an impeccable community leader whose charity and philanthropic gestures have not gone unnoticed. Uzu is a respected Nze in Umunnachi and has a chieftaincy title of Ochu alili Umuogbenye (Safe place for the weak and poor), and by every strand of imagination, he has lived up to that name with countless support to the less privileged, widows and their children. He has been a beacon of peace in his community and was instrumental in the final peace deal between Ogidi and his community, which were at war for over 100 years over land disputes.
As the saying goes, behind every successful man, there is a woman. Therefore, Uzu is married to his sweetheart, Mrs. Chiamaka Okagbue, Iyom Ugebge Uzu, an astute banker. The marriage is blessed with two children.
Uzu is a Christian with a deep love for God and mankind, and he has demonstrated this in his home Church, Emmanuel Anglican Church Umunnachi, and beyond. The young Uzu Okagbue’s close relationship with his father, Chief Chike Okagbue, forged him into a blend of ancient and modern. He is a man steeped in thoughts yet deep. He is measured yet swift.
Ladies and Gentlemen, members of our party, the press, I am honoured to present to you Chief Uzu Okagbue, the chosen running mate to the excellent, cerebral, charismatic, and enigmatic candidate of our party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, Onwa Umueri, the next Governor of Anambra State.
