Anambra 2021: Five Anambra Youths That Are Possible Replacement For Governor Obiano

Anambra State has a large number of youth demographics. With recent developments in Nigeria, many Anambarians are of the opinion and are pushing to have a younger and a more prepared leader occupying the state’s highest political office in the next political dispensation.

No doubt, based on current realities, many young people in Nigeria are determined to topple the old structures and processes. The desire to unleash innovative ideas and new perspectives by young people may likely begin with Anambra 2021 Governorship election.

However, to achieve this, the truth must be told and alot of facts must be considered.

Truths and Facts

While there are alot of young Anambarians who may be competent, at this stage of our development, there is more to politics and politicking than just competence. It does not stop at having all the ideas, degrees, qualifications, working in international organisations or even reaching the peak of one’s career, it involves strong and serious political party participation, acceptance of the various interest groups and stakeholders, interactive engagements and even late night meetings.

A lot of money is also involved with the entrenched system of the high cost of elections, especially in campaign expenses, nomination or expression of interest forms and others.

In 2021, Anambrains will be on the look-out for competent young person who fully understand the essence and relevance of leadership and the people. He or she must have at least experience in financial management, business, legal, development and international policies and emotional intelligence among others.

The truth remains that any party that champions a young and competent candidate may have an easy ride in the election.

In no particular order, these are five (5) Anambra Youths that are possible replacement for the Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Obiano Willie Obiano.

1. Mark Okoye II

Mark Okoye II

Mark Okoye is the youngest Nigerian to be named a commissioner since the onset of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999. He is the current Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. He was appointed a Commissioner by Governor Willie Obiano in 2016, with a mandate to drive the development and execution of Anambra state’s economic blueprint, medium-term strategic plans and annual budget. He was also the pioneer Executive Director and Secretary to the Anambra State Investment Protection and Promotion Agency (ANSIPPA). He previously served as the Senior Special Assistant on Investments to former Governor Peter Obi.

Hon. Mark Okoye had his secondary education at Atlantic Hall School. He attended the George Washington University, in United State of America, where he graduated with a degree in Finance. He has also attended numerous executive education programs at the Harvard Kennedy School, and several other academic institutions across the world.

He began his professional career at Afrinvest Limited, an independent investment banking firm with a focus on West Africa, where he worked on several financial advisory and capital raising projects for clients across the public and private sectors. He left his banking job to pursue a career in the public sector when he got appointment from then Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi.

Mark hails from Dunokofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is married to Philippe Mark-Okoye.

Strength

Competence: From his curriculum vitae, Mark is competent to succeed his boss. He has learnt the ropes from both Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, which should rather be regarded as a golden advantage. He has an understanding of the state, especially the size of the economy.

Party: Mark Okoye is a registered member of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). It is believed that he has a perfect relationship with the Governor.

Finance: As a son of a former Nigeria Minister, with the current vantage position he occupies and the contacts he has bui
lt, financing his campaign, shouldn’t be a problem.

Weaknesses

Senatorial Zone: Mark Okoye is from Anambra Central Zone, his party, APGA, and his boss, Governor Obiano, has always insisted that power must move to Anambra South. Some are already tipping him for the Deputy Governorship position.

Popularity Question: Mark Okoye is relatively unknown even in his community.

Media. Despite being young, he doesn’t have a strong media presence.

2. Nonso Smart Okafor

Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor is a Lawmaker in Anambra State House of Assembly. He is arguably the Most Performing Lawmaker in the current 7th Assembly. He represents Nnewi North Constituency. Despite being made to face a tense, tortuous and even traumatic period before and even many months after his election, the young lawmaker has remained outstanding in his legislative activities in the House of Assembly.

Nonso Okafor was born and bred in Nnewi. He had his secondary school education in Nnewi High School. His first stint in higher education was at Federal Polytechnic Oko, where he displayed exceptional leadership skills and left indelible legacies as the Student Union Government (SUG) President between 2006/2007. He also bagged a degree in Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Texas, USA.

He is one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious Henry Dunant Gold Medal of Red Cross and Red Crescent. He is also an awardee of the coveted Nigerian Youth Leadership Award of LEAP Africa, funded by Ford Foundation and International Youth Foundation, USA.

Nonso was also a delegate and strong voice in the Next Generation Nigeria, an independent Task Force for the future of Nigeria powered by the British Council in 2010. He was also one of the 14-man delegates to the Youth Leaders Strategy Session convened by the Presidency in January 2011 to chat an agenda for youth engagement in government over the next four years. He was a Speaker at the 2014 Young African Society Conference at World Bank Headquarters, Washington DC.

He was a delegate to the Mandela Washington Young Africa Leaders Initiative YALI sponsored by the then President Barrack Obama in 2014. His exploits earned him a strong commendation from President Barrack Obama, and First Lady of the United States. It also earned him the Nigerian Youth Ambassador accolade from President Goodluck Jonathan at a Reception at Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC. He is also a member of Amnesty International and the Coalition for Youth Capacity of Youngstars Foundation Int’l.

He was also member of the Technical Committee that designed the National Presidential Initiative on Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) as part of the Transformation Agenda of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He is an alumnus of the Discovering Young Leaders Programme of the Commonwealth regional office in Lusaka, Zambia. He is also an alumnus of FATE Foundation’s SRD which he underwent on Harambe scholarship; and also an alumnus of LEAP’s Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) and Integrity Institute. He was among the youth volunteers that implemented LEAP Africa’s Leadership, Ethics and Civics programme in Anambra State 2010.

He is a member of many professional associations such as Austin Black Chamber, Austin Texas, USA, Mandela Washington Fellow Alumni (YALI Fellow), LEAP African Youth Leadership Program Alumni, University of Texas at Austin IVP Alumni, Alamo City Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio USA.

He is the Chairman/CEO of Reapfold Limited, one of the biggest printing and branding company in Anambra with offices in Lagos and Awka. He is the Managing Director, Downtown Farmcity Limited, an integrated farming business in Isuanaocha Awka North.

Nonso Smart Okafor hails from Nnewi North Local Government Area. He is married to Uju Okafor.

Strength

Party: Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor is a member of the ruling party in Anambra State, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The party has a massive grassroot followership. He is also believed to be in good relationship with the current Governor.

Popularity: The Lawmaker is
popular among the youths in Anambra, having served in various youth organization and bodies including being the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Anambra State and also as the powerful former President of Student Union Government (SUG) of Federal Polytechnic Oko.

Women Factor: He is also popular among the women following his Nwa Nne Ya Na ighe Akara Story and his seeming attachment to widows as can be noticed in his projects.

Competence: From his rich profile, there is no doubt that he is very qualified and well prepared to govern Anambra State. He is intellectually sound and understands leadership. Having served the state at various level, he already has a knowledge of the state.

Media: He has a strong media presence and will leverage on it.

Performance: In just a year plus as a Lawmaker, he has delivered three (3) major constituency projects, he is the only member that his private-member bill has been passed by the House and presented to the Governor for assent, he has also sponsored many motions.

Weaknesses

Party: Nonso Okafor will have to contend with alot of bigwigs especially the likes of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, for the APGA ticket.

Finance: Anambra State runs one of the most expensive governorship elections in Nigeria and Nonso Okafor is not a moneybag.

3. Stanley Uzochukwu

Stanley Uzochukwu is a business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Stanel Group. Stanley is one of Anambra youngest Multi-Millionaires. His company, Stanel Group, is into Oil and Gas.

He attended Calvary Science School, St. Murumba College and Emmanuel International College before he proceeded to the University of Jos where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Botany.

He ventured into the business with the sale of diesel and petroleum which he supplied to corporate organizations. His company Stanel Oil was registered in 2012. Stanel Group is an energy company specialized in marketing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), AGO (Diesel) and DPK (Kerosine). The company has expanded its tentacles into the production and sales of automobile parts, vehicle consumables amongst others for domestic and industrial use.

In 2017, he acquired the Chicken Republic franchise covering the entire South East region. Also in the same year, his ultra-modern luxury mega centre (Stanel World) in Awka, was opened. The facility boasts an impressive farmers’ market with standby home delivery vehicles, French bakery, pharmacy store, automated car maintenance centre, car wash, 1000 sitting capacity chapel, warehouse, supermarket, staff quarters, laundry, spa and mega-event centre. A replica of the facility is located in Jos. He also sells STANEL tyres, STANEL engine oil, STANEL gas cylinders.

Stanley is a native of Nnewi South Local Government Area. He is married to Mrs Irene Uzochukwu.

Strength

Party: It is believed that Stanley Uzochukwu is still undecided on the party he will eventually contest under, while it is a known fact that he has a soft spot for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) especially based on his good relationship with the first family in Anambra State, however, there are strong insinuations in some quarters that he may likely end up in All Progressives Congress (APC)

Competence: Against all odds, at a very young age, Stanley has achieved alot. No doubt, he is eminently qualified to govern Anambra State.

Finance: The young billionaire has the fund to bankroll his campaign. He has the necessary contacts to pull campaign funds.

Federal Might: If he eventually contests in APC as being speculated, based on his relationship with President Buhari’s close allies, he may bank on federal support.

Weaknesses

Popularity Question: Despite his philanthropic exploits, he is not popular at the grassroots, especially among the youths.

Trust: During Covid-19 pandemic, he promised that he would be spending N500M to distribute One (1) million loaves of bread ndi Anambra, and other logistics involved, but til
l date, no bread was shared.

Scandal: Stanley was recently involved in a controversy, with multiple award winning actress, Ini Edo. It is being reported that he is in a romantic relationship with the actress.

Elite: Stanley has an elite personality and does not have any relationship with the grassroots.

4. Ambassador Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba

Elijah Onyeagba is a Nigerian Diplomat. He was recently appointed as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Countrywide Housing Company.

Elijah started his education at Community Primary School Enugwu Agidi, when he finished, he got admitted into St. Michael’s Secondary School Nimo, where he obtained his WAEC (School Certificate). He bagged his first degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He obtained MBA in Finance from the University of Calabar, Masters in Applied Economics from the American University in Washington DC, USA, and his PhD in Economics (Public Policy) from Atlantic International University, Hawaii USA.

He has undergone several leadership and management courses in Harvard Business School USA, Wharton Business School USA, SAID Business School Oxford UK, and INSEAD Business School, Fontaine Bleau, France. Elijah is a fellow of the African Leadership Institute. He is also a Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. A fellow of the Institute of Treasury and Financial Administration (FITFA), a new leader with the Crans Montana Forum and a member of the – African Leadership Network-ALN.

Elijah has experience in commercial, corporate, retail, mortgage banking, real estate, research, marketing and leadership. He is an expert in the structuring and advisory on construction finance deals with speciality in residential and affordable housing projects.

He has worked as Head of Commercial (Marketing & Sales), Northern Operations of the Nigeria Securities, Printing and Minting (NSPM Plc). Before that, he was the Group Head (AGM) in charge of Real Estate Transaction in ASO Savings & Loans Plc; Nigeria’s largest originator of mortgage assets with the additional responsibility of overseeing the company business’s concerns within the Federal Capital Territory, North and the Southern Regions of Nigeria.

Before joining ASO, he worked with Equitorial Trust Bank (Now Sterling Bank) as Head of Business, Bond Bank (Skye Bank and now Polaris Bank) as relationship manager and Platinum Bank (Now keystone Bank) as relationship officer and customer service officer. He also worked as a research assistant with the Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG). He is a Chartered Banker.

Elijah Chinezim Onyeagba is from Awovu village, Enugwu Ukwu. He is married to Lady Udo Onyeagba.

Strength

Party: Elijah is a registered member of All Progressives Congress (APC). He is believed to have a close relationship with most senior party chieftains.

Competence: From his profile, he has the mental and physical capacity to govern Anambra State. He has a professional background.

Federal Might: As a member of APC, he may bank on powers that be.

Weaknesses

Popularity Question: Although he recently contested an election in his Federal Constituency, Elijah is still a new face in Anambra. He is not known to the youths.

Senatorial District: Although, All Progressive Congress (APC) has not made any decision on zoning, there appears to be a consensus among Anambarians that the Governorship slot should go to Anambra South.

Media: He doesn’t have a strong media presence.

Finance: He may not have the financial resources to fund his campaign.

Party: It will be difficult for him to emerge as APC candidate.

5. Johnbosco Akaegbobi (Odda Opuo)

Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi is a Lawmaker. He is currently representing Nnewi South II Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly. He roundly defeated the former Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu in the last election. He is one of the very few performing lawmakers in Anambra State House of Assembly.

Johnbosco Akaegbo
bi is a graduate of Industrial Chemistry from the Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT). After his National Youth Service, he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he obtained a Masters degree in Waste Management and Environmental Studies. He has attended different professional courses on entrepreneurship, public policy and administration.

He is one of the biggest farmers in Anambra State with over 70 employees working in his large poultry, fishery and piggery farm at Ukpor, with branches in Ihiala.

Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi hails from Nnewi South Local Government Area. He is married to Barr. (Mrs) Lynda Akaegbobi.

Strength

Popularity Question: Johnbosco Akaegbobi’s popularity is not in doubt. He has large followership at the grassroot.

Competence: Johnbosco is qualified to be the Governor of Anambra State. He has the capacity to steer the state.

Party: He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The party has a strong grassroot base in Anambra.

Read Also: Anambra 2021: Candidates Should be Chosen Based on Competence

Weaknesses

Party: Clinching the PDP ticket will be an uphill task for him. He will have to contend with the likes of Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Chris Azubuogu, Godwin Ezeemo, Valentine Ozigbo and other bigwigs.

Finance: He is not a moneybag. He will require a lot of financial support.