By Ovat Abeng
Eze Mbaukwu, Igwe Peter Nwokike Anugwu, on Saturday, December 27, bestowed the chieftaincy title of “Ukwunna” on Uzu Okagbue. The respected and well-travelled monarch conferred this chieftaincy title on Uzu during his 84th birthday celebration, which he marked in his palace at Mbaukwu, Awka South LGA, Anambra State.
Uzu Okagbue, who was the YPP Deputy Governorship candidate in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship Election, was the Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Anambra State. With a background in political science, Uzu joined public service after about a decade as an investment banker in a new generation bank. Alluding to his formidable background, Igwe Peter Anugwu remembered Uzu Okagbue’s father, Chief Chike Okagbue of Bessoy Group, with profundity and expressed gratitude that Uzu, his son, is following after his bold and principled footsteps, which informed his decision to honour Uzu with the chieftaincy title of Ukwunna.
READ ALSO: Ogun state govt pays workers end-of-year bonus
During the conferment of the title, Igwe Anugwu described Uzu as his son and his friend. “Uzu is my son. He is my friend,” Igwe said. The Monarch also recalled how an initial plan to confer the chieftaincy on Uzu became a tool for political machinations, which prompted him to defer the honour to his birthday. “We wanted to give him this chieftaincy title before. But some people said no, that he is contesting as a Deputy Governorship candidate in the last governorship election. It became an issue. Then I called the Deputy Governor, and he was of the same opinion that the title conferment at the time was political. We said okay. But now, the election is over, so I said, I must give him the title.” The misunderstanding referred to by Igwe Mbaukwu might not be unconnected to the fact that Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, is from Mbaukwu and might have construed Igwe’s earlier plan on Uzu’s chieftaincy as an endorsement for the YPP against APGA. Although in 2023, during a consultative visit to his palace by Seyi Tinubu, in the company of Uzu Okagbue, Igwe Mbaukwu honoured Seyi Tinubu spontaneously with the Chieftaincy title of “Nwanne di na Mba.”
At Mbaukwu on Saturday, Uzu was unavoidably absent despite efforts to be at the event. However, he was, at the last minute, represented by Dr. Oliver Onwughalu, Ichie Ikemba Nnachi, a renowned medical doctor and respected community leader. Dr. Onwughalu was mandated by Igwe Anugwu to deliver his message and the chieftaincy appurtenances to Uzu Okagbue.
The 84th birthday of Igwe Peter Anugwu was well-attended by various businessmen, politicians, and others.
