Chief Andy Azike has become a name to reckon with in the political landscape of Aguata Local Government Area and ultimately, Anambra State.
The entrance of the seasoned professional into Anambra State’s political field is what many have tagged a ‘game changer’.
Having made his intentions known to Ndị Aguata, Chief Andy Azike has positioned to represent Aguata Federal Constituency at the green chambers, under the auspices of the Labour Party of Nigeria.
Ogbuji Opia as he is popularly known, wants to do it ‘differently’.
It is important that we know the story of Chief Andy, and see the wealth of knowledge and expertise, he will bring to bear, for a quality representation, of Ndị Aguata.
PROFILE (ABRIDGED VERSION)
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Chief Andy Azike, (Ogbuji-Opia n’Akalabo, Amesi, Aguata LGA) was born in 1961 at Onitsha to a family of 6 boys, he hails from Umueziyi village, Achina, Aguata LGA.
His father; late Pa James Afuleke Azike, was a renowned School Principal who retired as an Arbitrator at the Industrial Arbitration Panel, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, while his mother is a Retired College Teacher and Administrator.
EDUCATION
Chief Andy Azike had his primary education at Sacred Heart Primary School Onitsha and his secondary school education at Holy Ghost College, Owerri in 1973. He later finished at Nawfia Comprehensive Secondary School in 1979, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WAEC).
He gained admission into IMT the same year, to study Accountancy, where he graduated with the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy, in 1983.
He served the nation as a Youth corper at Ajeokuta Steel Complex Ltd, Ajeokuta, Kogi State.
A WORLD-CLASS PROFESSIONAL
Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987, he took up a career in Insurance at UNIC Insurance Plc. Where he led various key departments, in Finance, Investment, Internal, Audit and insurance. He is one of the few insurance practitioners in Nigeria, with a chartered status.
He left UNIC in 2001 to repackage and rebrand Coral International Insurance Ltd as the Managing Director & CEO. The company later merged with Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, a fully quoted Insurance Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where he became the General Manager in charge of all the Operations of the Company.
At Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, he was the Lead Insurance Underwriter and led teams on the renewal of Shell Bonga- FPSO to the UK Insurance market for 3years. The Shell Bonga- FPSO is the biggest Insurance Asset on the Continent of Africa.
Chief Andy Azike is a seasoned and world-class professional who holds a Master’s Degree (MBA) in Business Administration, with a special focus in Financial Management.
He is a fellow, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)- 1999, a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London (FCII – 2000), a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (FCIIN – 2004), and a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Broker (FCIB 2017).
LOVER OF THE CHURCH
Chief Andy Azike as a Jerusalem Pilgrim has contributed immensely to Church development and Community building in many ways. The most recent of his numerous philanthropic endeavours is the construction of an Olympic-sized Lawn Tennis Court for recreational activities in his hometown, Achina.
AN ACADEMIC PHILANTHROPIST
Chief Andy Azike is a strong believer that education is a powerful tool for youth empowerment, and has co-founded and funded the New Era Comprehensive Secondary School, in Achina.
A LOVING FATHER AND HUSBAND
Chief Andy Azike is happily married to Mrs Amaka Andy-Azike, the immediate past MD & CEO of Fidelity Pension Managers Ltd and they are blessed with three lovely Children who had since graduated and working.
LET’S DO IT DIFFERENTLY
Chief Andy Azike is bringing a different level of representation to Ndị Aguata, I love to call it, a true and quality representation.
In discharging his duties as a Federal lawmaker for Aguata, when elected, he has shown poise to run a people-inclusive representation centred on development. He will seek to align the laws of the land, with the will of Ndi Aguata to ensure timely intervention and escalation of matters affecting the day-to-day living of the Aguata people.
As the mouthpiece of Ndi Aguata, Chief Andy Azike pledges to ensure that the collective voice of Ndị Aguata, is heard and acknowledged, at the Federal level.
O’Opia Media 2022
