A native of Okohia in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim was born on the 4th of August, 1957. His parents, Chief and Lolo Maxwell Nwachukwu Ohakim saw to it that he was given sound background education at primary, secondary and University levels. An alumnus of the University of Lagos.
Ikedi Ohakim’s work experience has been mostly in the private sector, with a vast Consultancy experience spanning over two decades. Among other things, he has to his credit a vast service experience in Commercial and Executive Management positions in various Engineering and Manufacturing Companies. During the period, he had the benefit of extensive management training both in Nigeria and Overseas, and participated actively in various professional Consultancy assignments. During the period also, Ikedi Ohakim showed class by participating in the Young Managers’ Competition organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (in 1987) and won a prize based on his well-researched article titled “Segmenting the Industrial Market: A Strategic Option for Survival”. He continued with a brilliant track; recording meaningful exploits and achievements in the business sector, thereby enhancing his recognition and involvement in major socio-economic Programmes and Projects at State and National levels. His efforts paid off in 1992 when he was invited home to serve as the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Imo State. This was under the then regime of His Excellency Chief Evan Enwerem of blessed memory.
As Honourable Commissioner, Ikedi Ohakim was instrumental to the designing first ever Imo State Industrial Development Blue Print. He also master-minded the First Imo State Investment Summit held in 1992; and successfully packaged a phased Implementation Programme for the rapid Industrial transformation of Imo State. Furthermore, he participated as an active and valued Member of the National Committee on Industrial Development (NCID) whose fore-sighted recommendations led to the subsequent establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
With the subsequent dissolution of the State Cabinet late in 1993, Honourable Ikedi Ohakim took time off for further training in the United States of America. This was in 1994; and on his return to Nigeria, he felt inspired to write a book to highlight the essence and importance of Marketing and the packaging of intangible products to fast-tracking our developing economy. The book titled “The Marketing Imperative for Rural Industrialization” (published in 1994 by Africana Educational Publishers) has since proved to be a useful reference material for up and coming entrepreneurs, management students, manufacturers and industrialists. He has since authored four other books and more than 150 position papers – the latest book being “The Courage to Challenge: Vision for a New Nigeria”.
The rapid expansion and consolidation of his business group and the fact of their effective sustenance over the past years, bear eloquent testimony to the foresight and tenacity of purpose of this great entrepreneur.
Meantime, Ikedi Ohakim’s contributions at State and National levels soon earned him a series of Board and Committee appointments. These include Membership of the Boards and Committees of the following Agencies:
- Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
- Aluminum Extrusion Company Limited.
- Petroglobe Oil and Gas Company Limited.
- National Institute for Citizenship Education and
- The National Committee on Industrial Development.
In the political arena also, he became quite visible, as he was chosen to serve in various Committees and Boards of successive Parties, starting from the Second Republic, through the transition era to the present day Fourth Republic. In particular, Ikedi Ohakim, even as a young man, played active roles in the following capacities, dating back to the early eighties.
- Youth Leader in the defunct Nigerian Peoples’ Party (NPP)
- Executive Member, National Republican Convention (NRC)
- Founding Member. Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)
- Co-Founder (and State Leader) Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA).
In each of the above positions, Ikedi Ohakim as a well-known team player, contributed a lot of time, energy and finances, plus other material resources to promote the cause of his Party. He also brought a lot of Leadership traits to bear on the performance of his team; and helped to facilitate Peace and Progress in the various groups in which he served.
These noble traits no doubt, endeared him to all and sundry; and starting from his home community, his political Ward and Local Government Area, he became a torch bearer for Peace and Concord, and persevered to facilitate purposeful community leadership and the promotion of collective efforts for the achievement of target developmental goals. No wonder, the generality of his people came to accept and acknowledge him with pride, and showed reciprocal recognition for him through the conferment on him of over fifty
Chieftaincy titles from various Communities in Imo State and beyond. These include for example the following befitting titles: “Omeudo” of Anara, “Ochinanwata” of Okigwe zone, “Ikemba – Mbaitoli”, “Okaa Omee” of Orlu, “Akajiugo” of Owerri, etc.
Even the religious constituency did not fail to acknowledge Ikedi Ohakim’s noble traits, his God-fearing disposition and unflinching support for the Church, and respect for the mutual well-being of all and sundry. This informed his subsequent selection by His Lordship, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okigwe for the Conferment of a worthy Knighthood. He became a Knight of the Distinguished Order of Saint Christopher (KSC) and therefore a Noble Sword bearer of Christ in 1995.
Sir Ikedi Ohakim’s social and political profile continued to rise alongside his “grassroots” endorsement by his people. And in spite of some initial setbacks when he sought to be Senator in 1999, and later Deputy Governor in 2003, he remained steadfast and undaunted in his quest for a chance to give quality Leadership. His chance came finally in the year 2007 when his Party, the Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) fielded him as Gubernatorial Candidate. He emerged successful at the polls, and was sworn in on the 29th day of May 2007 as the 13th Governor of Imo State, and more specifically, the 4th democratically elected Chief Executive of the State.
As Governor, His Excellency Ikedi Ohakim has brought a lot of initiative, purposefulness and positive direction into the rulership of Imo State. His innovative Policy thrust, anchored on the “New Face of Imo” philosophy, has become the toast of the vast majority of the populace. Added to this is the unfolding translation of the lofty Policy Objectives into practical people-oriented Programmes aimed at addressing felt needs in the areas of Environmental Sanitation, Job Creation, Socio-Economic Empowerment, Educational Emancipation, Rural Industrialization, Qualitative Healthcare – including his famous Doctors on Wheel programme giving free surgery twice a year to rural dwellers, Agricultural Development and Food Security; Road Construction and Infrastructural Development, as well as Tourism and Investment Promotion, etc, etc. Arrowhead Programmes such as those being implemented under the Clean and Green Initiative, the Environmental Transformation Company (ENTRACO), the OPERATION FESTIVAL, and the recently launched Imo Rural Roads Maintenance Agency (IRROMA), have today become cardinal awareness issues among the populace. The State Capital Owerri, has been restored to its past glory, as its environs have come to wear a new and respectable look, for which the inhabitants are justifiably proud.
This perhaps explains the series of Awards and other popular commendations being showered on His Excellency, Governor Ikedi Ohakim for a job well done, especially in so short a time in Office. Among such outstanding recognitions worth noting are the following:
“Excellence Award” by Thisday Newspapers as the Governor of the year 2007 for Innovation and Originality.
- “Outstanding Leadership Award” by Champion Newspapers Limited for Unique Vision and Leadership - 2008
- ”Kwame Nkrumah African Leadership Award 2008”.
- “Zik Leadership Award” for Outstanding Leadership – 2009.
- “Excellence Award” from Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria - 2009
For one thing, the above trend is perhaps understandable. This is because of the innate and evident Leadership traits of Ikedi Ohakim. For example, as far back as 1998, he was listed in “This Day Newspaper” as “one of the 50 Leaders Nigeria needs”. Barely two years later, (in 2000), he was again listed by “Vanguard Newspapers” as “One of the Notable Young Corporate Leaders of the Future”. That he has continued to live up to the billing therefore, is not surprising.
In addition, Ikedi Ohakim is known to have participated actively at various International Conferences and Workshops over the past many years. These have helped not only to broaden his coast, but also to enrich his world view substantially. Among such global meetings are the following:
- United States Congressional Black Caucus Meeting - (1992 & 1996)
- World Tourism Conference in Indonesia - (1993)
- 17th World Oil Conference in Brazil - (2002)
- World Igbo Congress in the USA - (2002 & 2007)
Altogether, His Excellency Dr. Ikedi Godson Ohakim is a dynamic, hard-working and humane gentleman. He is happily married to Her Excellency Barr. (Lady) Chioma Ohakim, and the marriage is blessed with two sons and three daughters. It is worth noting that the couple has remained inspiring role models to many admirers since their wedding dating back to 1982. They have also continued to identify generously with the plight of the poor, the handicapped, the destitute and other under-privileged people in our society.