Policy Briefs
Biography of Oseloka Henry Obaze, Diplomat, Author, Politician & Public Servant
Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze (OHO), was born on 9th April, 1955 in Ogidi, Nigeria, he is a native of Ochuche Umuodu, in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze attended the elite Catholic legacy school, Christ the King College, Onitsha (1967-1973; his education was briefly interrupted by the Nigerian civil war, from 1967-1970). He also attended the equally prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (1973-1974). He studied Political Science and International Relations and holds a Master of Arts in Political Science (M.A.) from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (1980); and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science (B.S.) from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE (1979). He also holds a Certificate in Diplomacy from the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy, Lagos, Nigeria (1983); Certificate in Peacekeeping and Preventive Diplomacy, from the UNITAR/International Peace Academy Course, Burg Schlaining, Austria (1996); Certificate in Early Warning and Preventive Measures, from the UN System Staff College, Turin, Italy (1999); and a Certificate in Facilitation of Dialogue Processes and Mediation Efforts, from the Folke Bennadotte Academy, Sandon, Sweden (2007).
He is an astute visionary Leader, a technocrat, good governance and policy expert and a tested public administrator of high integrity, focus, humility and diligence. It will be recalled that in 2013, he was the leading aspirant on the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) platform to succeed Gov. Peter Obi, until he was disqualified on a voter’s card technicality.
Since leaving office on 8 June 2015 as the 9th Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Obaze has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Selonnes Consult Ltd. a management and strategic policy advisory entity and OHO & Associates, a good governance advocacy outfit. He was the PDP candidate the Anambra State Governorship elections held on 18 November 2017. He placed third.
He has written widely on policy challenges confronting Nigeria and made various policy recommendations which were adopted by the Federal and State governments.
It is worthy to note that Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze is a writer, poet, a seasoned diplomat and Strategic policy analyst, Obaze has most recently authored two books, “Regarscent Past: A Collection of Poems” (2015), Here To Serve (2016); and a public policy book, Prime Witness: Change and Policy Challenges In Buhari’s Nigeria (2017).
Also worthy of note is that before returning home in 2012 to serve as the 9th Secretary to the Anambra State Government (Secretary of State), from 29th June, 2012 to 8th June, 2015, Obaze served as United Nations official (1991-2012). Mr. Obaze was appointed to the United Nations Secretariat by Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar Javier on 1 March, 1991, as a Political Affairs Officer in the Department of Political and Security Council Affairs (PSCA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. As an International Civil Servant, he served in the U.N. with distinction for twenty-one years, and under four different U.N. Secretaries-General.
Mr. Obaze has a diverse and substantial background in political processes and a wealth of diplomatic, political and administrative experience, in national and international affairs, including direct experience working on countries facing complex challenges in Europe and Africa.
As a member of the Nigerian Diplomatic Service (1982-1991), Mr. Obaze served under three presidents (President Shagari, General Buhari and President Babangida) before transiting to the United Nations.
As Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Obaze served on the State Executive and Security Councils and was responsible for the coordination and coherence of government’s policies. He was the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Anambra State Flood Disaster Emergency Fund, and Chair of the Anambra State Flood Disaster Relief Coordination Committee and Member of the Anambra State Emergency Management agency (SEMA); in these capacities, he coordinated the State’s emergency response during the 2012 flood disaster. He was a Delegate to the South East Zonal Review of the 1999 Constitution held in Enugu on 15-16 November 2012; Delegate to the Southern Leaders’ Summit Meeting, 24 February, 2014 Calabar, Cross River State, Chairman, Anambra State Government Handover Committee, February-March 2014 and member of the Anambra State Economic Think-Tank.
Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze has distinguished himself in all aspects of life. He is the co-author of Joe Garba’s Legacy, (Xlibris, 2012) and the author of four books, “Regarscent Past: A Collection of Poems” (Ben Bosah Books, 2015), Here To Serve, (Ben Bosah Books, (2016); and Prime Witness (2017). He has published numerous articles on governance, public policy, political, social, and development issues, on journals, websites and newspapers. The manuscript for his collection of poems, “Regarscent Past: A Collection “of Poems” placed second in the poetry category in the African Writers Endowment Publishing Grant Program for 2004. He also contributed a tribute paper titled, “Achebe, Ike, Momah (AIM): Celebrating the Umuahia Literary Trio”, in Chukwuemeka Ike: Fifty Years as a Trailblazing Novelist, (Ed.) Kanchana Ugbabe (2015). He also contributed a chapter titled, “Rethinking Nigeria’s Foreign Policy on The Eve of the 21st Century” in Nigeria: Visions of the Future, (Ed.) Ngozi A. Nwaneri, (1998) and has collaborated or made research contributions to several published books, including Ibrahim Gambari’s Political and Comparative Dimensions of Regional Integration: The Case of ECOWAS (1991); Joseph N. Garba’s The Honour To Serve: Reflections on Nigeria Presidency of the 44th UN General Assembly (1993) and Fractured History: Elite Shifts and Policy Changes In Nigeria (1995). He is a co-founder of the Kwenu.com Book Review Forum, which is dedicated to the promotion of books with Igbo & Afrocentric themes. He has published Literary Book Reviews since 2002. He has published Literary Book Reviews since 2002.
Also worthy of note is the fact that Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze is a recipient of numerous service and professional excellence awards including:
Ambassador in Campaign Against Discrimination on those with Albinism (2017);
Contribution to Youth Development, UNIZIK Economics Department (2017);
Help To Humanity, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Univ Med. College Students (2017)
Rotary Club (Awka-GRA) Meritorious Leadership Service Award (2016);
Nigerian Institute of Architects’ (Anambra Chapter) Meritorious Service Award (2015);
Rotary Club (Onitsha-East) International Service Award (2014);
Award of Honour For Selfless Service to the State by Anambra Customary Courts Presidents Association (2014);
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Anambra) Professional Excellence Award (2013);
Catholic Diocese of Nnewi Public Service Award (2013);
Anambra State University, Students Union Government “Altruistic Gentleman” Award (2013);
Maiden recipient of the “Rev. Fr. Nicholas C. Tagbo Achievement Award for a Lifetime of Service” (2012);
Christ the King College Onitsha Old Boys Association “Distinguished Alumni” Award (2012);
The Anambra@20 Recognition Award (2011);
Christ the King College Onitsha 75th Anniversary Meritorious Service Award (2008);
Christ the King College Onitsha Alumni Association in America Exceptional Service Award (2001).
Mr. Obaze belongs to several professional and civic organizations. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Food Pantry Volunteer, St. James Catholic Church, Woodbridge, NJ (1995-2012); Member and eventually, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Songhai Charities, Inc. of New Jersey (1997-2005); and National Secretary, Christ the King College Onitsha, Alumni Association In America, Inc. (1998 to 2012). He is a patron of the Ochuche Umuodu Town Union (OTU).
A widely traveled man who hav visited 65 countries, an avid sportsman and soccer enthusiast; he reviews books and arts as a hobby, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze is definitely a Politician to watch out for in Nigeria as a whole and Anambra in also in State.
http://www.nigerianbiography.com/2017/08/biography-of-mr-oseloka-henry-obaze.html
