Ogugua Chioke was born on October 7th, 1957 to HRH Igwe Alexander Ene Chioke (KSM) and Nono Elizabeth Ukamaka Chioke (LSM) (both of blessed memory) in Enugu, Nigeria. The eldest of six children, he attended St. Patrick's Primary School, Coal Camp in Ogbete, Enugu and College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) in Uwani, Enugu, where he completed his secondary education.
His passion for justice, altruism and equity, led him to pursue a career in Law at the prestigious University of Nigeria where he graduated with honours in 1984. An alumnus of the Lagos Business School and the London Business School, Ogugua was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.
In 1986, he joined the Federal Ministry of Justice to pursue a career on the bench. Following a successful stint at the ministry, he moved to the law firm of Debo Akande & Okonjo where he rose to become the Head of Chambers. He later founded his own law firm, Askira Chioke & Co., a practice which, at the time, redefined business law practice and civil litigations, earning wide acclaim and unstinting reputation.
In 1999, Ogugua started consulting for Econet Wireless International Limited, a Zimbabwean mobile telecoms company. The following year, his legal practice, Askira Chioke & Co., acted as the legal counsel for the incorporation of Econet Wireless Nigeria Limited (EWN) as a bidding vehicle to acquire a GSM license from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The bid was ultimately successful and in February 2001, Ogugua wound down his law practice to join EWN as one of its founding executives, rising to become the Director of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs. He was for a while Vice Chairman of GSM Africa, the trade group for the African GSM telecommunications industry.
Following his departure from Celtel in 2008, Ogugua continued to focus his energy, experience and talent in the telecommunications sector. He was responsible for the management and rollout of the OCC network between 2009 and 2010.In August 2010, he became the Managing Director of Comium Data Limited while focusing the company to realize value for all shareholders. Until his demise, he was Chairman/CEO of Offshore Resources International Limited.
A man of strong personal conviction, Ogugua met Modesta Otiji early in 1991 and, by June 1st 1991, they got married. Their marriage is blessed with five children: Ogugua Jnr. Chioke, Ezinne Chioke, Emma Chioke, Chidinma Chioke and Ebuka Chioke. He was a family man who moved mountains to ensure that he could create the best life possible for his family. His legacy will be forever treasured and upheld by all those who knew him.
Ogugua Chioke was not just famous, he was a loving husband, a doting father and a caring brother. He lived life to the fullest and brought joy to everyone around him. He left a lasting impact on everyone he met with his jovial, effervescent exuberance which filled every room he entered.
How does one even begin to talk about Ogugua Chioke in the past? A man so full of life; a man so full of love; a man who gives all of himself to those he loves and to what he believes in; a man who is a go-getter; a man who attracts friendship and goodwill like metal to magnet? But that is what this is all about. Ogugua has run his earthly race and now he has gone to have his heavenly rest. Surely, he is smiling down at us from his heavenly mansion, as we pay deserved tribute to his life and times.
Adieu Ogugua!