Dr. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe was born in the hilly town of Jos, in Plateau State to the family of Mr. Jerry Ugokwe Snr. and Mrs. Comfort Ugokwe of Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
At a very tender age Dr. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe demonstrated an unusual appetite for scholarly adventure, which gave his parents the desire and encouragement to give him the best education that money can buy. Dr. Ugokwe obtained his early primary and secondary school education in Plateau and Anambra States. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus where he obtained a Bachelor of Architecture in 1981. The desire to rise above his peers in everything he does and the desire for personal empowerment and perfection in his chosen endeavour led him to enroll in the University of Lagos where he obtained a Masters Degree in Construction Management in 1985. Not satisfied with these Academic achievements Dr. Ugokwe proceeded to the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas, USA were he obtained an MBA in Computer Engineering and Management Information Systems in 1989 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Housing Policy and Implementation in 1992.
Convinced that when a man is empowered academically he is better placed to face the socio political and psychological challenges of his time, Dr. Ugokwe at various times has been tutored at the prestigious Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Boston, Massachusets, USA in Public Financial Management and in International Legislative Drafting at the Loyola and Tulane University Law School Public Law Centre, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Before his entry into partisan politics Dr. Ugokwe has distinguished himself in Architecture, his chosen field of endeavour, as a Resident Architect with the prestigious firm of Steveben & Associates in Kaduna in 1981. He later became the Project Architect, Building and Engineering Division, Ministry of Defence Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos. While in the USA his passion and dedication to hard work endeared him to the Dallas Housing Authority where he worked directly under Mr. Alphonso Jackson, a one time US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He later moved to become the Chief Fair Housing Investigator for the City of Dallas.
Dr. Ugokwe is a consummate, passionate, compassionate and courageous leader of our time who’s stock in trade is to better the lot of the less privileged of our society through selfless and conscientious service to his fatherland and humanity.
Dr. Ugokwe perhaps cut his political teeth unknowingly when he contested and won the post of Secretary General of the students Union of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1978 and later became the founder and first Financial Secretary, National Union of Anambra State Students in 1979. After he graduated from the University he became a Special Assistant to Senator Uba Ahmed, a Senator and later the National Secretary, National Party of Nigeria (NPN). In 1992 Dr. Ugokwe had his first shot a elective office by contesting for the House of Representatives election for his Idemili Federal Constituency under the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Dr. Ugokwe’s Political Career moved to another level when he contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives to represent the good people of Idemili North/South Federal Constituency in 1999 and 2003. At the House of Representatives Ugokwe carved a niche for himself that made him become Primus Interpares. Among his colleagues he became a legislative luminary, with his ideas and input always being sought on almost all legislative issues. Dr. Ugokwe brought about vibrancy and dynamism to law making. To his credit he sponsored the highest number of bills in the House of Representatives, notable among the bills he sponsored were the Freedom of Information Bill, Cult & Secret Society Prohibition Bill, Handicap Accessibility Bill; Palm Oil Development Bill, Coast Guard Bill and Tobacco Smoking Control Bill, to mention a few. As a testimony to his legislative brilliance and astuteness Dr. Ugokwe at various times was the Deputy Chairman, House of Committee on Governmental Affairs, Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, Committee on Housing & Urban Development; Chairman, Committee on Housing & Urban Development, and Notably the initiator and Pioneer Chairman of House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness. It is important to note the uncelebrated role Ugokwe played in the creation of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development by the Obasanjo administration. While he was the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ugokwe drafted a Bill on the creation of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and duly communicated his intention to the Presidency which was equally acknowledged. This singular act drew the attention and imagination of the presidency which culminated in the creation of the ministry.
Dr. Ugokwe has shown over the years that he is a leader with an uncommon and exemplary desire to serve his fatherland and humanity. This innermost conviction made him return to his country of birth to contribute in her socio-political development. At various times Dr. Ugokwe has exhibited these uncommon leadership traits in the various offices he had held. He was Vice President, International Facility Management Association of Nigeria (IFMA); Chairman, Publicity Committee, (IFMA); Public Relations Officer Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA); Executive Director, African Foundation, Dallas, Texas, USA; President, Organization of Nigerian Nationals (ONN) Dallas, Texas, USA at various times.
In 2003 Dr. Ugokwe offered to serve his people, the good people of Anambra State when he contested for the Governorship ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party, though he was not successful Dr. Ugokwe was prevailed upon to return to the National Assembly as a Member of the House of Representatives. Dr. Ugokwe is convinced that Anambrarians deserve more than they are getting from their leaders and he believes that he offers a credible, virile, dynamic and vibrant option that would be a catalyst towards peace, prosperity, progress and development of Anambra State. This desire he believes is a burden placed on him by God Almighty which will be realized sooner than imagined.
Satisfied with his remarkable efforts in bringing the dividend of democracy to his constituents, his community honoured him with the title “IKEMBA NNOBI” thus reminding us that some prophets can really be recognized in their hometown. Other chieftaincy titles and accolades have continued to roll in as a testimony of the immense contribution of this fine unassuming, soft spoken, calm, vibrant and dynamic gentleman. Dr. Ugokwe was conferred with the most Active Legislator of the 4th Republic Award in 2003, other awards received include: Community leader of the year Award 1991, by the Africa Foundation USA; Nigerian Union of Journalists Award for Press Freedom, 1999; Souvernir of Honour Award, 2000 Anambra State; Grand National Distinction Achievement Award 2002 by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Grassroots Forum; International Trade and Development Award, 2000 by Africa – USA Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Distinguished Architect for the year Award 2000, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) Enugu State Chapter, to mention but a few.
Dr. Ugokwe has also shown himself to be a great mind with works and publications that has shown his intellectual depth and pedigree. He published in 1993 Race and Housing Segregation over Two U.S Census Periods, while other published works include Holistic Approach to the Concept of Home, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A 1991; Evolution of Fair Housing for Elderly and the Handicapped, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A, 1992. He has concluded plans to publish five other books – “Genes From My Father”, “Unrepentant Defiance”, “Insatiable Appetite for Legislation: Bills and Motions (1999-2006)”, “From Legislation to Diplomacy”, and his memoirs, which is titled “Point Of Order: My Stewardship”.
In recognition of his service to country and contribution to humanity the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed him Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria with concurrent accreditation to Slovakia and the Permanent Representative to United Nations and other International Agencies in Vienna. Dr. Ugokwe is currently the Chairman of African Group of Ambassadors in Vienna.