Born
9 November 1944
UGOCHUKWU
Onyema
Date of Birth: Thursday (Nkwo) 9th November. 1944 State of Origin: Abia Local Government Area: Umuahia North Contact Address: Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communication. Abuja Chief Onyema Ugochukwu is a renowned Economist turned Journalist par excellence and indeed a gifted one at that. If not. how could it be explained for a man who abandoned a lucrative job with the Central Bank of Nigeria to a less comfortable and more challenging one at the Newsroom. It is only a man who is not afraid of challenges thai can fall a victim of this Scenario, and that man happens to be Onyema Ugochukwu. While some men dread challenges, some others court il: Onyema belongs to that class of people who court challenges. His uncanny ability to face challenges head-long and emerge from its triumphant, separates him from his contemporaries. A tested hand with track record of achievement and a mark of excellence in the pen-pushing profession, he had demonstrated not once or twice the ability lo change circumstances, men and material resources to meet economic, political and social needs. Education and Qualifications Obtained • Had his elementary education in flying colours at Methodist School. Egwanga Opobo (now Ikot Abasi. Akwa Ibom State) • Attended Methodist College. Uzu akoli Abia State for his Secondary education 1959. and obtained W.A.S.C • Gained admission at University of Nigeria Nsukka 1966 but this was truncated by the 1967-1970 Civil War. • After the War went back to UNN and earned a solid B. SC Degree in Economics. 1972 Work Experience and Employment History • Started out as a Research Assistant. Central Bank of Nigeria • Headed to the Newsroom as Economic Analyst. Business Times Nigeria • Here he rose rapidly to become Editor. Business Times which he held for six years • After building the Business Times into a successful specialist weekly Magazine, was selected to head for London in 1983 as Deputy Editor of West African Magazine. • Now here he got entrcnged with ihe media becoming variously Reporter Analyst. Deputy Editor, and Editor, later General Manager Publications. The rose to the position of executive Director Administration before retirement • Served one time as President. Guild of Editor. • Appointed Director of Publicity for President Obasanjo's Presidential Campaign Organization that ensure Obasanjo's victory at the polls in 1999. • Became Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Orientation, when the President set up National Orientation Agency (NOA on Assumption of Office in 1999. • Appointed pioneer Chairman. Niger Delta Development (NDDC) that in real terms addressed the griev ances oflhe Niger Delta Communities during his tenure. • At expiration of his tenure at NDDC in 2004. appointed Senior Special Assistant lo the President on Public Communications 2004-Date. He has as usual carried on this task with the dignity, finesse and vigour he brings to any assignment he is given Contributions to National Development • Impacted positively on the psyche of Nigerians about getting out of economic doldrums to eldorado through effective Co-ordination ofthe publicity machinery. Therefore. Nigerian realized that there is light in the tunnel after all. • As Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Orientation he traversed the whole country preaching the gospel of re-orientation since Nigerians had passed through a terrible phase under the military they needed a re-orientation to believe in their Country once again. • lie visited every nook and cranny of Nigeria to launch the National Re-birth and Universal Basic Education (UBE) programmes that give rise to a blue print for qualitative education in Nigeria, right from the elementary level • As the man at the helm of affairs in NDDC. there was magical transformation of many communities that are under the umbrella of NDDC. Roads and bridges were constructed, health centres were equipped, free healthcare was delivered, scholarships were awarded, electricity vvas provided, water bore-holes were sunk and classrooms were built and re-built. Above all. employment vvas generated. • He was totally committed lo its vision of making the Niger Delta the most prosperous and peaceful region in the Country, which indeed prepared the ground for the credibility, which the commission has come to assume. Awards, Honours and Accolades • Was recognized as a Council Member. Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) 1989. • Bagged an award of excellence. Africa Leadership International Award from Africa Leadership Enterprise • Has to his Credit many Chieftaincy titles from his immediate Community and beyond. His hobbies include: Tennis. Chess and Reading.
Name of Spouse
Father's Name
Mother's Name
4 children
Profession
Economist , Journalist , Politician
Working Experience
senior Special Adviser on Communication to Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo , first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Last Update
“Please send your updated CV to: [email protected]” – Editor
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