OKWUNNA, Hon Eucharia Azodo

Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Eucharia Okwunna Azodo was born on the 3rd of November, 1961, to the family of late Elias Egbuachor of Umudibe, Awuwo Village and lolo Josephine Egbuachor (Nee Onwukoha) of Umuduru, Ubaha Village, both of Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Her educational career traversed primary, post -primary and higher educational institutions in the country. She attended Holy Rosary Primary School, Fegge Onitsha. Upon passing out of the primary school, she got admission into Girls Secondary School, Ogidi, Anambra State and later Girls Secondary School, Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. On successful completion of secondary education, she proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, where she obtained National Diploma (ND) with upper credit in Secretarial Administration. And thereafter, she proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, where she obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) in Secretarial Administration. In her quest to broaden her knowledge, she attended Anambra State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (Now Enugu State University of Science and Technology) where she obtained Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Management, and capped it up with a Certificate in Information Technology from the Goldsmith College, University of London, U. K. Her working career as an experience administrator and manager of human resources, took her to various places, amongst which include: Head of Administration - Premier Breweries Limited, Onitsha; Head of Marketing Department - Defunct United Commercial Bank, Onitsha Branch; General Manager - Niger Standard Industries Limited, Onitsha - the last management position she held before delving into private business and became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Vivid and Valid Ventures Nigeria Limited,Onitsha. In addition to her blissful working career, Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Eucharia Okwunna Azodo was active socially, as she rendered philanthropic services to the public through her membership of various groups and social works. Her drive to offer service to humanity to uplift their living condition especially her people that brought her into politics; Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Eucharia Azcdo's foray into politics has blossomed in leaps and bounds since 1995. She has, at various times, held various positions both in the political party and public positions. She was the Secretary of the Congress for National Consensus (CNC), Aguata Local Government Area Chapter; Women Leader - Congress for National Consensus (CNC) Anambra State Chapter; She was later elected member representing Aguata 1 State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly (1999 - 2003) and was re-elected in 2003 - 2007 to represent the same Constituency, where she was elected the first female Honourable Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. While she was serving as a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, she was the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and a member of several committees amongst which include: Education, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Finance and Appropriation, Commerce and Industries, State/Local Government Joint Account. As an astute grassroots politician and women mobilizer, she was appointed in 2005, the National Women Leader of Obasanjo Solidarity Forum. Upon the expiration of her second term as elected member of the Anambra State House of Assembly in 2007, Hon. Eucharia Azodo was appointed the Anambra State Co-ordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP). She voluntarily relinquished the position in 2010 after acquitting herself creditably while in office, in pursuit of her aspiration to represent her people at the Federal House of Representatives. As a member of Anambra State House of Assembly, she initiated and sponsored several populist motions and bills which scaled through at the floor of the House which included rehabilitation of Amawbia - Orlu Federal Highway, domestication of Child Rights Bill in Anambra State etc. She has sponsored the education of several indigent students through the award of scholarships from the primary to the university level and church activities especially as it concerns women and youths. In recognition of her excellence and commitment to uplifting the living condition of her people, she has received several awards from various strata of the society. She attended several local and international workshops/seminars aimed at improving her skills and competences in public service delivery. Her major strengths lie in her organisational and mobilization abilities, her ability to network with the like-minded individuals and groups, as well as her passion to better the lot of the common man. At the 7th House of Representatives of the 7th National, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Eucharia Okwunna Azodo is a member of the following House Committees: Education, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Appropriation, Women Affairs, Banking and Currency, Donor Agency, Culture and Tourism, Local Content; she is also a Chairman, sub-committee on Industries, and a member of the National Assembly delegation to the Ecowas Parliament. She is happily married to Mr. Betrand Azodo, and mother of four (4) successful adult children. She is also a doting grandmother. Her hobbies include: reading, music, dancing and sports.