By Tony Manuaka
There is no better way of being a man of the people than to be a cheerful giver. As Ikenna Kevin Okafor (Ide Akwaeze) turns 50, the goodwill messages that trail the anniversary speak volumes of his good deeds among the people.
Born November 14, 1972 in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Okafor graduated from the University of Calabar in 1992 with a second Class Upper in BSc. Chemistry. He also attended a Senior Management Programme at the Pan African University (LBS), Lagos; and Advanced Management Programme at Wharton University of Pennsylvania, USA.
He is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Port Harcourt based Keves Global Leasing Limited; Arthur Services Limited; and Keves Inn & Suites. He is also the Chairman of 9 Payment Service Bank as well as a director in Sophike Medical Centre and Unizik Business School. Prior to his current executive positions, Okafor served as a Branch Manager at C & I Leasing Plc, in Warri and Port Harcourt after serving as Credit and Marketing Manager in the same organization. He also worked as an Experienced Senior at Arthur Andersen, in Lagos.
As a businessman, Okafor is believed to have demonstrated great leadership skills, honesty and integrity in all dealings. He has courage and self confidence especially in tackling challenges. He is a man with mental and physical resilience, strong inter-personal and team-building skills, drive and enthusiasm in target-setting for self and subordinates; and is said to have deep-rooted Christian beliefs.
In giving back to the society, Okafor is widely acclaimed to be a philanthropist with a heart of gold. To his credit are the building of a Library Complex, Peter University Achina-Onneh; Tennis Court and Club House, Nigeria Army Port Harcourt; Marian Grotto at St. Gregory Church, Akwaeze; a total renovation of Community Primary School, Akwaeze, renovation, fencing and computerization of Community Secondary School, Akwaeze, and St. Michael Primary School in the same Anambra community.
He also renovated Ezenebo Primary School, Akwaeze and built 15 extension flats for Corporal and below; and Medical Reception facility for the Nigeria Army in Port Harcourt. In Ogun State, he carried out a major renovation of the Ave Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ijebu-Ode. Back home in Anambra, he built a 150 capacity dormitory for students at Community High School Akwaeze.
It was for a demonstrable commitment to the service of God and humanity that Okafor was conferred with Papal Knight of Saint Sylvester by Pope Francis in April 2017. He built the Marian Grotto at Peter University, Achina-Onneh, a Marian Grotto at Ukwulu; and a Chapel at Pilgrimage Centre, Okija. He also built and equipped a one storey Science Laboratory at Akpu Seminary School; Fenced the Postulants Home at Kahuho in Kenya; carried out the landscaping of St. Joseph Cathedral at Ekwulobia Diocese in Anambra; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, St. Michael Parish in his home town.
Other projects to his credit are the Marian Grotto, Church of Transfiguration, Port Harcourt Marian Grotto, St. Anthony Nanka; Marian Grotto, Church of Assumption, Awka; Major Renovation at St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze; and Painting of the Parish House, St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze.
For many who know Okafor, there is a thinking that philanthropy runs in his veins. He has given various sums of money to the following churches: St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze; St. Anthony Parish, Nanka; Church of Assumption, Awka; St. Gregory Church, Akwaeze; St. Gabriel, Archway London; St. Michael Archangel, Nigeria Air Force, Calabar; St. Pius, Ezinifite; Assumption Church Nimo; St. Peter Parish, Nkwelle, Awka; St. Patrick’s Church, Achalla, Umuchu; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Uga; St. Joseph Church, Ebenebe; St. Joseph Church, Ekwulobia; Regina Pacis Parish, Ihioma, Orlu in Imo State; St. Boniface Martyr, Sea Cliff, New York; Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt; St. Peter University, Awka; Stella Maris University, Port Harcourt; Pastoral Centre, Port Harcourt; Our lady of Grace, Charlton, London; St. Theresa Parish, Ichida; Nnewi Diocese; St. John’s Vocational Institute, Neni; and St. Mary Magdalene, Brockley London.
Other philanthropic gestures are the purchase of complete musical equipment set for St. Michael Akwaeze; Provision of complete public address system for Queen of the Apostle Church, Port Harcourt; Procurement of 40KVA generator for St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze; Institution of the N250 million Nzekwuabuo Foundation in 2014 to take care of the indigent including 60 primary school pupils, 30 secondary school students, 12 university students and 15 widows.
At the 2018 Port Harcourt Literary Society Poetry Slam, which was organized in partnership with Keves Global Leasing services, Okafor explained that the purpose of the partnership was to join hands to restore the Garden City to a place of importance.
Okafor championed the construction of the ultra-modern Akwaeze Civic Centre; Sponsors Seminarians through the Holy Ghost Congregation since 2006; and one diocesan seminarian in Awka Diocese since 2021. He contributed towards the Ihioma Civic Centre Complex and donated towards community development. He also donated 18 cars to the clergy; and provided a complete set of Public Address System for St. Michael Archangel at the Nigeria Air Force base in Calabar.
In sports development, Okafor is the president and a major sponsor of Kodian Tennis Foundation, an academy that has produced tennis players for Nigeria. He has also been sponsoring the Rivers State Football Amateur league; Zonal Tennis Championship in Rivers State since 2018; Secondary School Swimming Competition in Rivers State since 2016; Golf tourneys in Rivers, Enugu, Cross River and Bayelsa States; Tennis tournament in Rivers, Cross River and Delta States as well as Secondary School Table Tennis since 2018.
Since 2016, Okafor has been sponsoring secondary school swimming competition in Rivers State; Golf tourneys in Rivers, Enugu, Cross River and Bayelsa States; Tennis tournament in Rivers, Cross River and Delta States as well as secondary school table tennis competitions since 2018.
In addition to his academic qualifications, Okafor belongs to several reputable professional groups in the county. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA); and Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN). He is also a member of the Board of Trustees, Peter University Achina – Onneh and a Director of Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria. He also acquired trainings in accounting and auditing; elements of successful leadership, consulting, marketing, management as well as oil and gas.
Over time, Okafor has occupied several leadership positions. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association; Zonal President (South – East/South – South) of Lagos Business School Alumni Association (2010 – 2014); Chairman, Rivers State Tennis Association; Current President, Senior Management Programme (SMP 20), Lagos Business School; Captain, Port Harcourt Club 1928 – Tennis Section (2008 – 2010); and Treasurer, Port Harcourt Club 1928 – Tennis Section (2006 – 2008).
Between 1990 and 1991, he was the National Public Relations Officer of the Students Chemical Society of Nigeria. He was also a member of the University of Calabar Students Association (1990 – 1992); Chief Scribe, Dollar Klubb Exclusive, University of Calabar (1991 – 1992); and President, Awka/Anaocha /Njikoka Students Association (1990 – 1992).
For his contributions to the development of the society, Okafor has over the years been honoured by various organizations. He is a Paul Harris Fellow (5 Star), Rotary Club International; and A Five-Star Distinguished Fellow of the Lions Club. He was Best Graduating Student of the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar in 1992; and Best Graduating Student, Nnewi High School in 1988. He also emerged winner at the Zonal Champions, ABS Quiz Competition in 1988.
Okafor holds traditional titles from the various communities he has impacted. These include Ide Akwaeze; Idi Ezeani Dikenemereoramma, Akwaeze; Dike-Ejiejemba, Umuchu; Ebubedike, Umuawulu and Chinyelugo, Anaocha among others. He is a man with great passion for giving back to society.