IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

( By Boniface Alanwoko)

Abia State: Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is a native of Umuebere, Umuobiakwa village, Isialaukwu Mbato Autonomous Community in Obingwa L.G.A. of Abia State. He was born to late Mr. Ishmael Ikpeazu on October 18, 1964.

He commenced his education at Amaise Central Primary School, Umuobiakwa before attending Eziama High School and finally concluding his secondary education at Ihie High School. Thereafter, he was admitted at the tender of 16 to study Clinical Biochemist at the University of Maiduguri, where he earned a B.Sc., in 1984. In furtherance of his academic pursuit, he did a Masters in Biochemical Toxicology, in the same university before enrolling at the University of Calabar, where he obtained his Doctorate Degree in Biochemical Pharmacology. An erudite personality, Dr. Ikpeazu who has acquired further academic laurels equally engaged in numerous academic activities in various high institutions before veering into other careers.

From 1994 to 1996, he worked with Cash Bond Investments and Credit Ltd., Lagos. In the year, 2002, he was appointed the Transition Committee Chairman of Obingwa LGA, Abia State. Thereafter, he became the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Environment and Sanitation. In 2007, he became General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS) and later, Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) among others. Dr. Okezie, who holds numerous chieftaincy titles,is a sports lover who is President, Eastern Ngwa Country Sports Club of Nigeria.

He was elected governor under the banner of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

Dr. Ikpeazu is married to Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu and they have children.

Anambra State: Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano

Chief Willie Obiano was born on August 18, 1957; he is from Aguleri community in Anambra East L.G.A. of Anambra State.

He began his education pursuit with the Trinity Primary School, Onitsha, before crossing over to Christ the King College, Onitsha, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Thereafter, he graduated in Accounting at the University of Lagos and topped his academic laurels with a Masters in Marketing in 1993 from the same University. A brilliant fellow, Chief Obiano, won the John F. Kennedy Essay Competition in 1974, while he was a student at Christ the King College, Onitsha. Equally, he holds both the National Merit Certificate for outstanding service during his NYSC service year in Benue State and the Best Youth National Corps Award in the 1979/1980 service year. He is a distinguished banker and a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, among others.

In 1981, he became a supervisor with Fist Bank of Nigeria, FBN. From there, he moved to work at Texaco, where he rose to the position of Chief Internal Auditor before joining Fidelity Bank Plc., in 1991, as Deputy Manager and Head of Audit before finally rising to the post of Executive Director in 2003.

He is a devoted member of the Catholic Church who is immersed in many Catholic Church organizations and activities. In appreciation of his laudable activities, Chief Obiano, who is the current president of Aguleri Council of Chiefs, has been bestowed with numerous chieftaincy titles.

Veering into politics, he contested the Anambra State gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA in 2013 and won

He is married to Chief Mrs. E.V. Obiano.

Ebonyi State: David NwezeUmahi

Engr. Dave Umahi was born to Chief Joseph NwezeUmahi on January 1, 1964. He is a native of Umunaga, Uburu Autonomous Community, in Uburu clan, Ohaozara L.G.A. of Ebonyi State.

He attended Umunaga Primary School, Uburu, before going to Ishiagu High School, where he did class 1and 2, and thereafter, got admission at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, where he completed his secondary education. Following his brilliant performance in WAEC exams, where he came out in Division 1, he enrolled to study Civil Engineering at the Anambra State University of Science and Technology. In 1987, he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree and went to carry out his NYSC duty at SAIPEM SPA, an Italian oil company in Benin City. At SAIPEM SPA, Engr. Umahi, was posted as a sectional head to the Cathodic Protection Engineering sector; here, he engaged in magnificent engineering works that involved among others, the 2.8 billion Naira pipeline project from Escravos, Warri to Egbin Gas Plant in Lagos. Consequently, he earned the NYSC State Award for his outstanding performance.

After his NYSC programme, he went to work with SCC Nigeria Ltd., a water engineering giant, as a project engineer, he joined to supervise the Umuahia Water Project and the Ndiegoro Aba Flood Control measures from 1989 to 1990. Engineer Umahi who later became the General Manager of Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Ltd, was associated with other prominent and successful engineering and business concern before crossing to the public service. He became the Acting Chairman, Ebonyi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party from 2007 to 2009, state chairman, up to 2011, before being selected as a running mate to Chief Martin Elechi, who became governor of Ebonyi State in 2011. Afterwards, Engr. Umahi contested the Ebonyi 2015 gubernatorial election under PDP and was elected governor.

Engineer Umahi is a Deacon and devoted member of the Christ Embassy Church.

He is married to Mrs. Rachel Umahi and they have children.

Enugu State: Chief Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was born on March 20, 1964, hails from Orba town, Idenu L.G.A. in Nsukka zone of Enugu State.

After his secondary education, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he bagged his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Business Administration.

Thereafter, he headed to the business world where he engaged in numerous business ventures before veering into politics. Thus, in 2003, he was elected to represent his people in Udenu/Igboeze North Federal Constituency of Enugu State. There, he replicated his philanthropic endeavours that in the first place, made his people to support him as their representative by awarding scholarships, constructing, health centers and providing boreholes among others. Consequently, Hon. Ugwuanyi, remained as the representative of his people at the Green Chambers for close to a decade. And for that long, he was the Chairman, Committee on Marine Transport as well as being a prominent member on other strategic committees.

In 2015, he was selected as a representative of Nsukka zone, when he was nominated and supported by the immediate past governor, Barrister Sullivan Chime to contest the gubernatorial election of Enugu State under the People’s Democratic Party which he won.

He is married to Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi

Imo State: Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha

Owelle Rochas Okorocha is a native of Ogboko, in Ideato South L.G.A. of Imo State. He was born on September 22, 1962.

After his primary school education, he enrolled at Juladaco High School, Jos, where he completed his secondary education before proceeding to earn a diploma at the University of Jos. In 1993, he returned to the same institution to obtain an advanced diploma in Public Administration.

Okorocha who was a Commissioner on the Federal Character Commission and a member of the National Constitutional Conference, competed in the Imo State gubernatorial primaries under the People’s Democratic Party but failed in 1999. As a result, he moved to the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). However, he returned to PDP, where he was appointed as Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Inter-Party Affairs. In 2005, Rochas Okorkcha, formed the Action Alliance (AA), on whose platform he planned to contest the 2007 presidential election. Failing to achieve his aim, he again returned to the PDP, where he showed interest to the contest the chairmanship of PDP.

Failure to secure that mandate, he once again decamped to become the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), under which he clinched the governorship election of Imo State in 2011. Due to some irreconcilable issues with those who made his victory possible under APGA, Okorocha once again decamped to the All Progressives Alliance (APC), where he contested and was returned as Imo State governor in the 2015 general elections thus, making him the only APC governor in the South-East  Zone. He is the current Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum.

He is married to Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha.