By Andrew Nwaeze
Contrary to the claim that the candidate of the APC in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and also did his national youth service in Plateau State, investigation shows that although he gained admission into the UNN, he however did not complete the programme.
A publication by his campaign team, “The Man Uche Nnaji, Nwakibieya” claims, “He attended Santa Maria Primary School, Enugu (now Ziks Avenue Primary School), St Patrick’s College, Emene, Enugu, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.
“Uche’s early exposure to the business world greatly benefited from his mother’s enduring value for resource management with integrity and hardwork – traits which became manifest during his service as a Youth Corper at NASCO and Jos International Brewery, all in Plateau State…. Towards the second half of his Youth Service, his mother gave him N10,000.00 to persuade him to settle down for paid employment upon completing his service year”.
However, at page 36 of the document, “Final List of Candidates for State Elections: Governorship and Houses of Assembly” published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) where Nnaji’s name appears at page 36 and as serial number 277, Nnaji listed his educational qualifications as Santa Maria Primary School and St. Patrick’s College, Emene. This translates to First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and West African School Certificate.
His authentic deputy, Robert Ngwu’s qualifications, which appear at serial number 278, are listed as Zik Avenue Primary School, Enugu; College of Immaculate Conception, C.I.C, Enugu; and University of Minnesota, USA.
Reliable sources said that Uche Nnaji was not gifted in intellectual pursuits, and was hardly available in class.
“He was of the Microbiology/Biochemistry (combined honours) admission set of 1980. However, he generally didn’t do well academically, and played truancy a lot. What I can’t tell is whether he dropped out on his own or was forced by the school to drop out due to poor academic records”, a reliable source at the UNN said.
