Easily one of the most outstanding women in Nnewi and indeed Anambra State, both in learning and industry, Dr. Uju Ozoka left no stone unturned in pursuit of learning, career and business ventures. Born in the city of Portharcourt, Rivers State, to the family of Chief Isaac and Mrs. Agnes Uchendu of Umudim Nnewi in 1961, the Nigeria-Biafra civil war which erupted a few years down the line, forced her family back to Nnewi where she commenced her academic journey at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State. After completing her basic education, she proceeded with her secondary education at Girls’ Secondary School Nnewi, also known as Anglican Girls’ Secondary School located in Uruagu Nnewi. There, Dr. Uju Ozoka excelled both in academics and leadership. She passed out with distinctions and also served as the school’s social prefect.
After the successful completion of her secondary education, Dr. Uju Ozoka proceeded to Portharcourt for her higher education at the University of Portharcourt for Basic Science. Thereafter, she moved to the University of Benin for her degree in Medical Science. After her education, she was exposed to journalism, which left her with an impression that she needed more than her medical degree to be able to make the kind of impact she really wanted to make. From that point, her life’s journey took a new turn. It was this drive that energized her to make a full turnaround in career field, switching from medical field to law. With this new career, she went on to study to advanced level and eventually gained a doctorate degree in International Relations from American University. Mrs. Uju Ozoka obtained her LLB in law from the Lagos State University. After that, she also graduated with a master degree from the Lagos Business School, before her PhD in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Gold Coast University, USA. In short, Dr. Uju Ozoka had highly varied academic interests that finely explain her distinct exceptional success in various unrelated ventures. By all means, Uju Ozoka was a genius who did not relent in pursuing her heart’s desires even when the cost meant a fresh start or a leap into the unknown; such was her passion in pursuit of her dream. Moving from medical field, to law, to business management and to international relations must be a very uneasy choice given how distinctively apart these fields are, but again, that was the quality and strength of vision of Madam Uju Ozoka.
In career, Dr. Uju Ozoka juggled from medical practice, to journalism, author, lawyer; she became mega business owner and also public servant. At no point in her life’s journey did she drop any of her passion or pursuit. Instead, she carried every one of them methodically, creating opportunities and impacting lives till the very end of her life, a few months ago. In journalism, she was the publisher of Nigerian Gong Newspaper. In the paper, she authored a column entitled “Nigeria of my Dream.” She has written and published many books which includes; “Corporate Women and Home management”, “Women and National Development”, published in both English and French languages. Others are; “Nigeria of my Dream”, “Patience and Marriage”, “Nigeria Towards an Egalitarian Society”, “Critical Analysis of Human Rights Abuses: 1960-2002”, “Towards a New Nigeria: All we Must Do”, “1001 Questions Nigeria Must Answer for the Emergence of a New Nigeria”, and many others. With her medical certificate, she runs a pharmacy chain called “Annon Pharmacy and Stores Ltd”. She founded the Royal Habitat hotel chain. She founded many other thriving businesses like the Neptune Water. She played in the oil and petrochemical industry. Also, she has stake in food and agro industry and also in real estate. She was a jack of many trades and master of all. In public service, she was a member of the University of Jos Governing Council. She served in the Board of Nigeria Airways. During the President Obasanjo’s years, she served as a member of Vision 2010, which was Nigeria’s decade-old developmental plan. She served as an aide to Anambra’s first Executive Governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Also, Dr. Uju Ozoka has represented Nigeria in many international women conferences like the Beijin World Women Conference in 2014. In 2017, she was the Governorship candidate of the Action Alliance – AA in Anambra State.
Chief Mrs. Uju Ozoka was married at 21 years in 1982, to Chief Engr. Angus Ozoka, who at a time was the Director of Safety with the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The marriage is blessed with children whom today are towing the same line of career, business and personal success, just like their parents. In philanthropy, Dr. Uju Ozoka was a member of Save our Soul, Red Cross Society, Nigerian Child Welfare and many others through which she carried a coordinated humanitarian outreaches to the underprivileged people within Nigeria and beyond.
In Nnewi, Dr. Uju Ozoka earned the title of “Ogboo-ogu” Nnewi, loosely translated to Peacemaker of Nnewi, meritoriously given to her by the revered Igwe Orizu of Nnewi, owing to her numerous, but stilt and brave activities in promoting peace in Nnewi.
The sudden demise of Dr. Uju Ozoka at 62 years was untimely, notwithstanding, her life’s journey left no doubt that she lived a fulfilled life though she left so soon. Madam Uju Ozoka inspiring life, is one that speaks to the power of dream and the tenacity to follow that dream against many odds.
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
A.S
October 5, 2024 at 4:13 pm
I am a seed of Big Mummy, Bar, Dam, Dr Uju Uchendu Ozoka. God bless her existence.