Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Paul Chukwuma, has unveiled Uzo Okagbue as his running mate for the election.
The unveiling ceremony was held at the YPP Secretariat in Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, during thr weekend.
The party candidate, Chukwuma, said Okagbue was chosen as his running mate after a wide consultation with God, family members, the clergy, party executives, and other relevant stakeholders across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Okagbue, popularly called ‘Uzu’ is a native of Umunnachi community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the State and served as a Chief Protocol Officer to the former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.
He 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. He is the last son of the affluent 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.
He worked for Fidelity Bank Abuja, 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.
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.
The then Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in 2018 doubled his appointment. Thus, 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 voluntary 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.
