Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Born (1973-12-23) December 23, 1973
Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Occupation(s)Lawyer, entrepreneur, politician, film producer
Known forFirst woman to run for the presidency in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Political partyAll Progressives Congress

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (born December 23, 1973)[1] is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, politician, and film producer. She ran as the first female candidate for the presidency in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general elections but later stepped down for Bola Tinubu. She was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development on August 21, 2023.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye was born in Nigeria on December 23, 1973. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1996 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1997.[6] She holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Abuja obtained in 2002.[6]

Career

Kennedy-Ohanenye practices law and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association.[7] She is also involved in real estate and the education sector.[6] As the CEO of Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye & Co, she provides legal services to individuals and corporations. She also serves as the founder and head of Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye Academy, a private educational institution.[8]

She is actively engaged in the film industry within Nollywood as a producer. Her production portfolio includes titles such as Mama Onboard, The Senator, The Governor, and The President. She is also the president of the Association of Nollywood Producers (ANP).[9]

Political involvement

Kennedy-Ohanenye became a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.[10][11][12] She declared her candidacy for the Nigerian presidency during the 2023 general elections, making history as the first woman to do so under the APC. Her campaign emphasized women's empowerment, economic development, security, and anti-corruption.[13][14] She opted to step down from the presidential race and publicly endorsed Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State.[15]

On 21 August 2023, she was appointed as the Minister of Women Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding Pauline Tallen, who resigned due to health reasons.[16] The presidential swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye became the third woman to hold this position after Aisha Alhassan and Pauline Tallen.

As the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye pledged to focus on eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) and enhancing women's economic empowerment (WEE) in Nigeria.[17] She also advocated for increased female representation in leadership roles and the implementation of the National Gender Policy.[18]

Personal life

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye is married to Kennedy Ohanenye, a businessman and philanthropist. The couple has four children together.[19][20]

References

  1. ↑ Ogundapo, Abdulqudus (28 July 2023). "Profiles of President Tinubu's 28 ministerial nominees". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Khiran, Nikki (2023-10-04). "Newly Appointed Female Ministers - LeVogue Magazine". Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  3. ↑ "Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye and her new vision for Nigerian woman - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  4. ↑ Odili, Esther (2023-08-24). "Ex-presidential candidate and 4 other key facts about women affairs minister". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  5. ↑ Ubanagu, Makua (2023-08-07). "FULL LIST: Senate confirms 45 of 48 Ministerial nominees". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  6. 1 2 3 Ekugo, Ngozi (17 August 2023). "Here are Tinubu's Ministers from the South East and their portfolio". Nairametrics. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye and her new vision for Nigerian woman". Daily Trust. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (22 October 2023). "Minister tasked youth on advancing nation building". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Khiran, Nikki (4 October 2023). "Newly Appointed Female Ministers". LeVogue Magazine. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Biodun, Busari (July 27, 2023). "Women in ministerial list: Meet Ohanaye, APC aspirant who stepped down for Tinubu; Edu, Musawa, others". Vanguard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Lone Female APC Presidential Aspirant Who Stepped down for Tinubu appointed Minister - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  12. ↑ "Barr Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye Steps Down For Tinubu | Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  13. ↑ "Monarch commends Tinubu over appointment of Barrister Uju Kennedy as minister - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  14. ↑ "Super Eagles Legends Hails President Tinubu For Appointing, Barr. Uju, Barr. Musawa As Ministers". 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  15. ↑ Folorunsho-Francis, Adebayo (2022-06-20). "Why I danced before stepping down - APC's female presidential aspirant". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  16. ↑ Kwen, James (2022-09-24). "Buhari heads APC presidential campaign council". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  17. ↑ Daily, Peoples (2023-10-28). "Governors' Forum approves mobile court to address SGBV cases - Peoples Daily Newspaper". Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  18. ↑ Ekugo, Ngozi (2023-09-26). "Ministry of Women Affairs to introduce mobile courts to handle gender-based violence". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  19. ↑ Effiong, Sarah (25 October 2023). "Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; biography, career, education, politics, awards". African Gazette - Truth, Accuracy and Objectivity. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Kennedy- Ohanenyes- A Private family with a Public heart". Liberal News. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
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