Dr. Eugene Okolocha: A Meek Titan of Progress Rising to Nigeria’s Call
Sinach
Published Date:
Mar 31, 2025
Last Updated:
It was a humid afternoon in Abuja when I first met Dr. Eugene Uchenna Okolocha, a moment that would linger in my memory like ink on a fresh page. As a young student of progress, hungry for stories of leadership and grit, I found myself in his orbit—a lecturer’s office at the University of Abuja, cluttered with books and the quiet hum of purpose. What struck me wasn’t his towering resume or the weight of his titles, but his meekness. Here was a man who could command a room yet chose to carry his own bag, waving off students’ offers with a gentle smile, insisting he wouldn’t overburden them. I couldn’t resist—I grabbed his bag anyway, a small act of defiance wrapped in admiration. To my surprise, he let me. Perhaps, I’d like to think, it was the spark of the Holy Spirit in me that softened his resolve that day. Grace, as I’d later confess, had found me in that fleeting exchange.
Years on, I’ve watched Dr. Okolocha’s journey unfold with the kind of steady brilliance that progress demands. My greatest joy came recently when Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, made a decision that felt like a clarion call for meritocracy. She appointed Dr. Eugene Uchenna Okolocha as the Director for Legislative Studies—a nod to talent, a reward for a life of service. It’s the kind of move that makes you believe in the system again, a rare alignment of competence and opportunity.
Dr. Okolocha is no stranger to leadership. Head of the Department of Public Law at the University of Abuja, he’s a legal titan whose roots stretch deep into Ndokwa soil. Born into the lineage of Okolocha Azagalaza of Abbi, this renowned politician and scion has worn many hats with quiet dignity. Married to Barr. (Mrs.) H.E. Okolocha, he’s built a family as formidable as his career. A seasoned legal practitioner, he’s steered Okolocha & Co. since 1995, mastering corporate, commercial, and civil law with the finesse of a craftsman. His CV reads like a roadmap of influence: former Country Representative at the West African Gas Pipeline Company (2000-2002), Special Assistant to the Minister at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (1993-1995), and an Honourable Member and Whip at the Delta State House of Assembly (1992-1993).
But it’s his political heartbeat that pulses loudest. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Okolocha has never wavered in his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision. In 2019, he flew the APC flag as a House of Representatives candidate, rallying the Eugene Okolocha Solidarity Movement—a mandate snatched by power mongers, though he vows it’ll be reclaimed by 2027. In Abbi, Ndokwa West, his generosity shines; he’s hosted APC faithful to feasts, a gesture of unity in a fractured political age. His mantra, borrowed from Ndokwa wisdom, rings true: “Let the pot be long before getting to the stream, but it should not break.” It’s a call for patience, resilience,consistency, and unbroken resolve—qualities he embodies.
His legacy isn’t his alone. His children carry the torch with pride. Emmanuel Okolocha, a Professor of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, shapes minds through teaching and research. Chizoba Bonaventure Okolocha thrives in the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. This family of achievers is a testament to Dr. Okolocha’s quiet strength—a father who plants seeds of excellence.
This, and more, is why Dr. Eugene Uchenna Okolocha is the best man for the job. His appointment at Yakubu Gowon University is a start, but his voice belongs at Nigeria’s table of decision. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leader he’s stood by unwaveringly, must see this true Ndokwa son for what he is: a bridge between promise and progress. In a nation starved for authentic leadership, Okolocha’s meekness isn’t weakness—it’s power, tempered by purpose. Nigeria can’t afford to leave him on the sidelines.
About the Author
Sinach
A les Avocat, living with the It Begins With Me Mantra and determined to dot all i's and cross all t's for a better Nigeria.
