Sir Hon. Okonkwo Vitalis N. (B.Sc, KSJI, J.P) was born on the 14th of November, 1978, in his hometown of Ojjor Community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Enugu State. He was born into the family of the late Chief Okonkwo Edwin and Mrs. Lolo Helen Okonkwo Ikpenyi.
He is a dedicated family man, married to Lady Okonkwo Uche Antonia. Their marriage is blessed with five (5) children: four boys and one girl.
Sir Okonkwo possesses a solid academic foundation ranging from technical vocational skills to university-level administration:
Primary Education: He attended Premier Primary School, Adani, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (F.S.L.C).
Secondary Education: He proceeded to Uzo Uwani Secondary School, Adani, obtaining his West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC).
Technical Education: He gained admission to the Professional Training Institute, Port Harcourt, where he studied Industrial Welding and Quality Control. He graduated with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Industrial Welding/Quality Control.
University Education: He studied at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Public Administration with Second Class Honours.
Before establishing his own conglomerates, Sir Okonkwo built a robust career in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector, earning the nickname "Oil Money" due to his efficiency, skilled services, and magnanimity.
2000 (Entry Level): He began his career at MEC-Corrosion Services LTD, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, employed as a Supervisor.
Managerial Rise: He later joined MAZCO NIG LTD as an Operations Manager.
Offshore Operations (2006): In 2006, MAZCO loaned him to RENCO and AGIP, where he gained significant experience working at the Atlantic Ocean. Upon completion of this contractual commitment, he returned to MAZCO NIG LTD and was promoted to Manager due to his expertise.
Specialized Projects:
He was contracted to work with RENCO NIG LTD (under AGIP) at the Agbara Platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
He managed operations at the Warri Refinery, after which he was promoted to General Manager.
Pipeline Construction: His company was awarded a major contract(MAZCO) by NESTE OIL LTD to lay a 20-inch pipeline spanning 32 kilometers from Rumuekpe Community in Rivers State to Kolo Creek in Bayelsa State.
In 2010, following an invitation to Abuja by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for a contract, he formally incorporated his own companies to expand his operations.
Incorporated Companies:
OKO VITALIS NIG LTD
VIEMMACO OIL LTD.
ABOKI AYIKI (NIG) LTD.
MOISTEX NIG LTD
Other Business Interests:
Hospitality: He is the Director of "VIEMMACO HOTEL" located in Adani, Uzo-Uwani L.G.A..
Agriculture: He engages in mechanized farming, specifically large-scale rice farming and cattle rearing.
Sir Okonkwo is a foundational member of the APC and a recognized one of the political leader in Uzo-Uwani.
Appointments and Governance:
2013: Appointed Coordinating Administrator of Ogboli Development Area and Coordinator of Uzo Uwani L.G.A. He was urged to return from Port Harcourt to serve due to his track record, a call he heeded.
2015: Elected Chairman of Oha-Ana-Eze Ndi Igbo, Uzo Uwani L.G.A. chapter.
Boundary Adjustment: Appointed a member of the Boundary Adjustment Committee for Uzo Uwani. He notably used his company's GPS technology to assist Enugu State in detecting fraud during boundary exercises involving Enugu, Kogi, and Anambra States.
2019: Appointed Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the Governor on Special Duties.
2020 (Transition): Appointed Vice Chairman (Transition Government) of Uzo Uwani L.G.A..
Re-appointment: After the transition government concluded, he was re-appointed as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties.
2023: Appointed Election Coordinator for Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in Uzo Uwani L.G.A..
Political Struggle and Advocacy:
Sir Okonkwo faced significant political battles regarding the marginalization of the Ojjor Community.
Political Selection & Repeated Victories: When former Governor Gburugburu requested the people of Uzo-Uwani to present a candidate for appointment as Commissioner, Sir Hon. Okonkwo Vitalis N. offered himself for service and emerged victorious three consecutive times in the internal selection process. However, despite winning clearly on each occasion, he was corruptly denied the mandate, a setback widely attributed to the persistent marginalization of the Ojjor community.
Resolution: Recognizing this injustice, the Governor, out of magnanimity, appointed and reappointed him as Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties.
Regional Advocacy:
He fought against political marginalization of the Ojjor Community, Ogboli Development Center.
He led the selfless struggle to secure the contentious oil field in Igga Community in 2013, sponsoring meetings between Enugu and Kogi States regarding the ownership of the oil field.
Sir Okonkwo is a prolific philanthropist who "loves work and hates idleness". His interventions cover infrastructure, education, and social welfare.
Infrastructure Development:
2013: Procured and installed electricity poles for the Asaba-Igga-Ojjor road.
2014 & 2015: Reconstructed bridges leading to the Asaba-Igga-Ojjor road.
2014: Back-filled potholes within the Adani metropolis.
2014: Donated 70 trips of stoney laterite for the Adani Rice Market.
Road Construction:
In 2014, he graded the 4-kilometer Ojjor road from Adani to Ojjor market.
In 2015, he graded the road again to ensure community access.
Electoral Support: Donated 16 buses to convey electoral materials between Ukpabi Nimbo, Ogboli Development Center, and Umulokpa during the 2015 election.
Voter Registration: Donated four (4) sets of generators to the Ogboli Development Center to facilitate voter registration.
Human Empowerment:
Elderly Support: Empowered elderly women (70 years and above) in Ogboli Zone (Adani Ward) with ₦5,000 each monthly for six months.
Youth Training: Facilitates training for artisans, including ladies in hairdressing and boys in bricklaying, to curb idleness.
Disaster Relief: Provided relief materials to the people of Ojjor during the 2012 flooding.
Educational Support:
Secondary Education: Personally attracted and facilitated the building of Ojjor Community Secondary School. He continues to pay morale-boosting allowances to the teachers there to date.
University Support: Financially intervened to solve challenges facing the Uzo-Uwani Students Association, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Chapter.
Sir Okonkwo was born into a Catholic Christian home and remains an ardent faithful dedicated to Catholic doctrines.
He wedded in the Catholic Church.
He is an inducted member of the Knight of Saint John International (KSJI).
In 2022, he embarked on a Christian Pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem, Israel, automatically earning the honor of Jerusalem Pilgrim (J.P).
His service to humanity has earned him numerous titles and awards from communities and organizations.
Chieftaincy Titles:
"IKEMBA 1 OF NIGERIA" Conferred by the Rotary Club, South-South & South East Municipal.
"OZO-IGBO NDU 1" of Nkporogwu Atta Community Conferred by HRH Igwe Simon Iduh of Nikporogwu Community, Uzo-Uwani L.G.A..
"AGU NA ECHIEIBE 1" of Omasi Community Conferred by HRH Igwe Okeji of Omasi Community, Anambra State.
Awards:
UN SDGs Humanitarian Ambassador – Awarded by the UN Economic and Social Council (UNESCO).
Award of Excellence, Awarded by the Uzo-Uwani Students Association, UNN Chapter.