He is a son of late Hon. Simeon Nweke Okafor, a renowned headmaster in Ayamelum and an ex-legislator in the old Anambra state House of Assembly.
Education
The Speaker had his early education in Enugu where he completed his nursery, primary and secondary schools. Being the son of a teacher, his upbringing was centred on academic pursuit embedded on commitment and hardwork. He had the luxury of attending the best schools in the then Enugu State and had a track record of resounding results.
Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with a second class upper division.
His first-degree research was on Ogoni Crisis, and its successful recommendations earned him a placement at Shell Petroleum Development Company where he did his National Youth Service Programme.
He returned to the University of Nigeria for his Masters and obtained an MSc upper division in public administration and local government.
His academic excellence never went unnoticed as he was retained after his masters by the then Head of Public Administration Department, Prof. Miriam Ikejiani Clark as her research Assistant.
While at the department, Uche contributed to numerous articles in the departmental and other humanities journals.
In his quest to understand the enablers for a sustainable environment, with the hope of becoming a community development expert, in 2006, Uche secured admission to Study at the prestigious Middlesex University London. It is at this University he obtained a master of Arts in sustainable development.
His research potentials earned him a recommendation for a doctorate at University College, London, a programme he deferred due to family commitments.
Career progressions took him to these various establishment as follows:
Haringey Council, London, Department School Personnel Service (Hornsey School for Girls, London) as student’s support officer. This was from February to August 2007
Barking and Dagenham Council London, Department of Housing (Adult & Community Service) as Tenants Participation officer. This was from August 2007-March 2009.
Hillingdon Council London, Department of Community Housing Team as Community Housing Manager. This was from April 2009-August 2010.
Oxford City Council, Department of Housing and Community, as Neighbour Manager. Speaker did this from September 2010-April 2014
Specialties: In the Course of his career progression, Uche Okafor specializes in Community Cohesion and Development, Neighbourhood Regeneration, Strategy Development and Implementation, Change management, Community Renewal and Diversity Integration, Customer Experience and Project Management.
Professional Memberships: Uche Okafor is a Member Political Studies Association, New Castle, UK. Member National Association of Neighbourhood Management, London, UK. Member Chartered Institute of Housing, Coventry, Uk. Member Oxford Institute of Research and Development, Oxford Uk.
Political Life: Young Uche was very close to his father and grew up on strong political ethics. His political philosophy centres on accommodating, sharing, supporting, promoting, empowering and manymore. These attributes metamorphosed to his present day political potentials.
As an enterprising young pupil at Trans Ekulu Primary School, Uche was made the school head boy. The same charisma took him to St. Patrick’s college where he became the Senior Prefect.
His days at the University of Nigeria was characterized by the students’ unionism. He represented his faculty in the student’s parliament, as the Speaker, a position that shaped his political future like “Niccolo Machiavelli” will have it
“One change always leaves the road open for the establishment of others”
Uche’s success as a student parliamentarian earned him votes to become an esteemed president of polit
Further, while at Middlesex University London, Uche was a mentor to most international students, always supporting, guiding and giving voice to the voiceless. In the words of Dr. Cornet West
“You can’t lead the people if you don’t love the people; you can’t save the people if you don’t serve the people.”
Uche was elected the coordinator of international students forum, a position that got him a place at the school board as a students Rep. at Middlesex University’s board was remarkable.
He championed the review of most stringent policies that deterred minority ethnic student’s membership in the school board.
He financed and promoted many enlightenment programmes aimed at breaching the inequality gap that enlisted amongst the diverse students.
Nevertheless, as a personality who has the interest of the people at heart. In 2015, he vied for the post an Hon. member to represent Ayamelum constituency under the platform of APGA, in the Anambra State House of Assembly, and he was massively voted in.
As a member of the State House of Assembly, he has showcased his total commitment, developmental initiative and strives, and chart a road for his people’s greatness through his power as a lawmaker. As the voice of his people, he has promoted the ideals required to entrench true democracy.
However, coming unbound he met his constituency in an inconceivable labyrinth of darkness and backwardness. He used his legislative power and his social skills to lift it far above the standard among average Ndi Anambra.
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.