Born on December 5, 1965 in Gombe, North East Nigeria, Dr. Okonkwo is a Russian-trained Political Scientist and accomplished entrepreneur from Ogidi, Anambra State.
High Chief Obiora Okonkwo holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science (with distinction), from the Russian Academy of Science, Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Moscow, a Professional Fellowship Doctorate from the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria and Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and Mediators of Nigeria.
He earned a Master of Science Degree in Economics, also with distinction, from the Russian Peoples Friendship University in Moscow and a first class in economics from the Russian Peoples Friendship University in Moscow. He had his early education in Onitsha, Anambra state where he combined trading at the Main Market and managing a horde of apprentices, with schooling.
He is the winner of the prestigious The Sun Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 award; an award bestowed on him by the management of The Sun Newspapers in March 2020, for his entrepreneurial vision and dexterity in business through which he has created wealth and jobs.
Earlier in February, he was presented with the maiden Dr. Michael Okpara Leadership Prize in Business. The honour came off the Dr. Michael Okpara Foundation, a foundation dedicated to propagating the ideals of the late Premier of the old Eastern Region.
He is widely travelled and is fluent in English, Russian and Igbo. He is also a Fellow of the following: Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR), Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (FCE) and Career Nation Institute, New York, USA.
He chairs the boards of a number of companies, including ‘’The Dome Entertainment and Hospitality Limited’’, ‘’Solicom Engineers Limited’’, ‘’Private Airline Services Limited’’, amongst others.
The Dome with headquarters in Abuja, is said to be the mother organisation comprising ‘ ’The Summit Restaurant and Lounge’’, ‘’The Camelot Spa’’, ‘’The Bodytrust Health and Fitness Bar’’, ‘’The Bowling Alley’’, ‘’Twins Cafe and Bakery’’, ‘’Francis Hotel’’ and lots more.
He is noted for his exceptional philanthropy and dedicated support for humanitarian and religious causes with several Nigerians now in European, American and Nigerian universities enjoying his education scholarship offered through Joseph Okonkwo Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the memory of his father.
He also built and donated a school to his home community in Ogidi as well as brought in the Catholic religious order of Sisters of Divine Mercy to manage it. Fees at the school are subsidized by him.
In July 2019 was conferred with the prestigious honour of Business Philanthropist of the Year by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, otherwise known as UNIZIK Business School, is also the Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustee of Pro-Value Humanity Foundation, a foundation set up to recreate humanity by creating a society where the human person is at the center of development. It also seeks to transform society by reorienting values for authentic human development.
He is also the 2019 Face of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), an annual event of Rotary International which brings together youths from across the globe to leadership and entrepreneurial training. To demonstrate his support for the programme, he sponsored 10 students of the Unizik Business School to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
He is a devout Catholic, which is evident in the name of his two aircrafts known as ‘’Our Mother Mary of Miracle’’ and ‘’Blessed Iwene Tansi’’. Blessed Iwene Tansi was the late Catholic priest from Aguleri, Anambra State that was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
He is a Knight of the Order of King Leopold, the highest national honour bestowed on foreign nationals by the King of Belgium, also holds the traditional titles of Mbuba Anafolu Mbulu N’Ukpa by all traditional rulers of Anambra Central Senatorial district, Dikeora Idemili, InweleOgidi Inwele, Ugegbe Igbo, EbekuoDike and Ugobueze.
He is set to launch his latest investment THE UNITED NIGERIA AIRLINE.
