The late Dame Dr. Uju Uchendu Ozoka, was a woman I was privileged to have a few conversations with, while she lived. “Ebuka my son”, she would normally call me and then, I respond, “momsy.” Just before the 2023 General Elections, we had a handful of conversations about possible outcome of the election. Sometimes, she interrogated my permutations, but being a very detailed person who is attentive to facts, she would admit that I was correct, yet, she always called for prudence. Momsy was a very humble woman and despite her blessings, she still had the time to do little things that shape the world we live in. Till the last moment, she impacted and influenced in a remarkable way, all who were chanced to cross her path.
A woman of immense treasures; Chief Dr. Mrs. Uju Uchendu Ozoka has the rare quality of getting into anybody’s shoes. She knew exactly how regular young people feel and how women or men feel. She just knew the right words and approach, to address diverse situations. I suspect this was why she was able to personally see to the training of tens of young people through school. She was a stallion of the finest quality who left a piece of her everywhere she went. A mobilizer and organizer of both men and resources; she easily excelled in all she did. Mrs. Ozoka was the mouthpiece of the victimized and the oppressed. She championed causes that empower, uplifts and position people fairly throughout her career and life. In pursuit of justice and fairness for all, she became the first in many things and was quickly recognized by many former presidents of Nigeria.
Dr. Uju Ozoka was a natural public servant, who, out of love for service, switched from medical service to law and later earned a doctorate in international relations. As a journalist, she was distinguished and went on to become the publisher of Gong Magazine. Dr. Mrs. Ozoka was an author and she authored many books, most of which were about how best Nigeria can work for every one of her citizens fairly and equitably. In public service, she served meritoriously as Personal Assistant to the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Since then, she has served in many government setups such as the 2014 national conference, among others. Not too long ago, precisely in 2017, she was the Action Alliance – AA governorship candidate in Anambra state. In business, she was a real estate guru. She ran many successful brands in the production and service industries.
Yet, the late Dr. Mrs. Uju Ozoka gave more. She was a champion of women’s inclusivity in public management. In this project like in other things she did, she exceptionally excelled. This endeared her to several former first ladies of Nigeria.
Here was a woman who lived fully and played her own part in shaping the world. She walked her talk, she put in the work and she gave no excuses. Late Mrs. Uju Ozoka lived a life that serves as an inspiration to many young women. A look at her journey speaks boldly thus; “you can be anything you want to be, if you are willing, determined, and focused to put in the work.”
Therefore, as I mourn her shocking exit, I also celebrate her eventful life that has left us all who knew her inspired and motivated, to go all out and do our own bits in shaping our world for good.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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One comment
Nkiru Celine okoro
October 18, 2023 at 5:54 pm
An interesting narrative. You did not tell us when she passed on, how she passed on, her last wishes and those she left to mourn her.