Profile
Andrew Igbonule Uchendu is a Nigerian politician who represented Rivers East Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. He also represented the Ikwerre- Emohua Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, between 2003 and 2015. Uchendu has always been a member of the People’s Democratic Party until 2014 when he defected to the All Progressives Congress party. He is a management consultant and administrator by profession.
Personal Life
He was born on 27th November 1952, in Mgbuitanwo, Emohua, Rivers State, to the Royal family of Uchendu Osi. He is married with five children. He holds the Chieftaincy Title of Ochi Aliri II of Emohua.
Education
| S/N | Qualification | Schools Attended | Date |
| 1. | First School leaving Certificate | St. Luke’s School, Emohua | 1962 |
| 2. | West African School Certificate | County Grammar School, Ikwerre/ Etche | 1971 |
| 3. | Higher School Certificate (HSC) | Hope Waddell Training Institution Calabar | 1973 |
| 4. | Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. | University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | 1976 |
| 5. | Masters in Business Administration (MBA) | University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria | 1987 |
Work History
| Place | Position | Date |
| Risonpalm Ltd., Port Harcourt, Rivers State | Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer | 1989-1993 |
| Risonpalm Ltd., Port Harcourt, Rivers State | General Manager/Chief Executive Officer | 1985 -1989 |
| Nigerian Agricultural & Co-operative Bank Ltd, Kaduna State | Asst. Project Officer | 1978 |
| Niger Delta Basin and Development Authority | Planning Officer | 1978 |
| Ministry of Rural Development & Co-operatives, Port Harcourt, Rivers State | Asst. Registrar Co-operatives | 1977 |
Political History
Uchendu got drafted into politics in 1994 by the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation. He represented the Emohua, Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas at the 1994/1995 National Constitutional Conference. He has since then been in active politics.
In 2003, he was elected into the House of Representatives, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, to represent the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency. He held this position until 2015.
Uchendu defected to the All Progressives Congress party in 2014. On this platform, he ran for the senatorial seat representing the Rivers East Senatorial District in the 2015 general elections. Uchendu emerged as the winner.
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- 2008 National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
- 1995 Award for Resourcefulness in Management conferred by the Rivers State Council of The Nigerian Union of Journalist
- 1995 Honorary Award for Service and Educational Development conferred by the Postgraduate Students Association, Rivers State University of Science & Technology
- 1995 Merit Award for Selfless Service from the Senior Staff Association, Rivers State University of Science & Technology
- 1993/1994 National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) Certificate Of Recognition
- 1992 National Productivity Merit Award from the Federal Government of Nigeria
- Port Harcourt Jaycees: Plague on Distinguished Achievement as Chief Executive of Risonpalm (1985-1993)
Project
- During his tenure as a House of Representatives Member, he sponsored three fundamental bills: Standard Tendering Procedure for the Award of Contracts in the Public Service (popularly known as Due Process), the National Youth Development Programme, and the Amendment to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Act.
- Attracted several federal and state projects to the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency. Some of which are:
- Water projects at Oduoha-Ogbakiri, Rumuche-Emohua, Ovogo and Rumuodogo II in Odegu.
- Primary Schools at Mgbueto in Emohua, Ipo and Omademe in Ikwerre LGA
- National Skills Acquisition Centre at Elele
- Youth Development Centre at Emohua
- Solar Street Light at Mgbuitanwo, Emohua
- Community Computer Centre at Ndele and Emohua
- Construction of Mgbuitanwo General Hospital, Mgbuetor Road.
- Construction of the East/West-Elibrada-Oduoha-East/West Road
- Community Town Hall at Aluu
- Credit Assistance to 100 Widows
- Initiated the award of bursaries to indigent students in the tertiary institutions, which has benefitted over 200 people
