No matter the side of the argument you belonged to as to whether leaders are born or are made, if you had come across the Late Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Uju Uchendu Ozoka, you will agree without any disputation that she was a born leader who also worked hard every single day of her life to become and remain an exceptional leader.
Uju as she was fondly called was a trail blazer, a woman who lived a life of legacy and turned whatsoever her hands laid on into gold. Her 62 momentous years on earth were filled with testimonies of her good deeds.
Dr Mrs Uju Uchendu-Ozoka was born the sixth child of the Late Chief and Mrs Isaac Uchendu of Umudim Nnewi, Anambra State. She attended St. Stephen’s Primary School, Umudim Nnewi and Girls Secondary School, Nnewi where she served as the school’s social prefect. She came out with distinctions and proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt for a degree in Basic Science. She also obtained a degree in medicine from University of Benin, a diploma and Bachelors degree in Law from Lagos State University, an Executive Masters Degree from Lagos Business School, and a Masters in Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, in International Relations and Diplomacy from Gold Coast University, U.S.A.
In public service, She served as the personal assistant to the former Executive Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Eziefe (Okwadike); was member of the Board of Nigeria Airways, member of VISION 2010, member 2014 National Conference, member of the Governing Council of University of Jos, Plateau State, and Director, Organization for Nigeria Football Supporter’s Club. She also won a foreign media sponsorship and attended the World Women Conference in Beijing, China in 1995.
Until her death, she was the publisher of the Nigerian Gong where she maintained a column in the paper called “Nigeria of My Dreams”. As a prolific writer, she has published several books including Women and National Development (French and
English editions), “Critical Analysis of Human Right Abuses (1960-2002): A Verbatim Report of Justice Oputa Panel (Volume 1-24)”, and “1001 Questions Nigerians Must Answer for the Emergence of A New Nigeria”.
In the business scene, Uju was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Annon Pharmacy and Stores Ltd, Royal Habitat Hotels and Resorts Ltd, Neptune Waters Ltd, Uju Farms Ltd, Spices International Foods Ltd and Somdera Oils and Petrochemical Ltd. In 2019, She received the Anambra Women Achievers Award for Business Excellence at the Anambra Mothers’ Summit.
Uju was a member of many local and international professional bodies such as the Nigeria Publishers/Authors Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Human Rights Association and was a Fellow of the World Institute of Research and Documentary. She holds traditional chieftaincy titles of Onwanwanyi Ejemeuno, lya Eto of Ishayi and Ogbo-Ogu Nnewi.
She got married to Chief Engr. Angus Anife Ozoka of Egbu Umuenem Village, Otolo Nnewi in 1982. The marriage was blessed with many children including eighteen adopted children.
Uju also impacted lives through many charitable causes and organizations such as Save Our Souls (SOS) Children Home, Isolo; Nigeria Red Cross Society, Nigerian Child Welfare League; Nigeria Girl Guide and was former President of Rotary International, District 9125, Abuja, and President of Child Network Organization, (Nigeria Branch) with the sole interest of picking abandoned children, providing shelter, food, education and love to the less privileged in the society. These charity works according to Uju gave her deep life fulfillment and joy.
She was a grassroots politician and mobilizer. During the Constitutional Conference election, Uju won her central ward in Nnewi but stepped down for Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu because of her deep respect for him . She was also the candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2017 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
Her hobbies were reading, writing, cooking and travelling.
Uju was a lady with a large heart, a successful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker, medical personnel, journalist, publisher, lawyer, author, politician, and philanthropist, visionary woman.
The Late Chief Dr. Mrs. Uju Uchendu Ozoka was an embodiment of an ideal lady, role model and legend.
Written by MR ODERA OZOKA
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