Anayo Okolie
Last Saturday, Lome, the capital city of Togo hosted some prominent Nigerians as Senate and Management Board of the European-American University Commonwealth of Dominica bestowed honourary doctorate degrees on them for their various contributions to the society.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nedcomoaks Limited, Mr. Kennedy Okonkwo, was among those conferred with the prestigious award due to the role he has been playing to put an end to housing problem in Nigeria and beyond.
Okonkwo recognition was also based on his outstanding leadership achievements and contributions observed and strongly appreciated by those that recommended him.
According to a ‘Letter of Invitation’ dated September 16, which was signed by the institution’s Head, EAU All-African Operations, Dr. Ahamefula Egbuta, and sent to Okonkwo, the honourary doctorate degree being bestowed on the Nedcomoaks Limited boss was as a result of his outstanding leadership achievements and contribution to nation building, especially in the area of housing.
Apart from Okonkwo, other notable Nigerians, who had been conferred with honourary doctorate awards by the management of European-American University Commonwealth of Dominica in the past few years were: the Emir of Daura, HRH Umar Farouk Umar; former Governors Ramadam Yero (Kaduna), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of S. Ojolowo Technical Co. Ltd. Chief Solomon Ojolowo; Chief Solomon Ojolowo; Chairman, Peace Mass Transport Nig. Ltd, Mr. Samuel Maduka; Deputy-Managing Director of Eleganza City Industry Ltd, Chief (Mrs) Sade Okoya; the Ojora of Ojoraland, Oba Fatai Oyeyinka; the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Joshua Okpo; and former General Secretary of Bible Society of Nigeria, Dr. Fred Odutola.
Okonkwo, beyond reasonable doubt, has proven to the world that he is a man to be reckon with by providing shelter for different classes of people in the country.
The Nedcomoaks boss, who is heavily involved in the day today running of his companies with support from his staff, has used his skills to redefine real estate business in Nigeria.
To many people, especially those who are his close associates, the award conferred on Okonkwo is well deserved having distinguished himself in different aspects of life, especially as renowned estate developer, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
The honourary doctorate degree coming from a foreign citadel of knowledge is an honour not only for Okonkwo but his family, organisation and community. Okonkwo, since he started his company, has done a lot in the last eight years to provide accommodation and make life comfortable for thousands of Nigerians, especially in Lagos, where Nedcomoaks Limited built and is still building several estates and affordable apartments.
Okonkwo, who is a role model to many young Nigerians, has used his business acumen and skills to touch many lives directly and indirectly.
He has built Nedcomoaks Limited through hard work with the assistance of his dedicated and committed staff to become of one of the most highly rated and respected building construction companies in the property development business in Nigeria.
Okonkwo has also contributed immensely to the development of the economy by redefining the real estate sector through provision of affordable housing, as well as providing employment opportunities for thousands of people.
He has also touched many lives through his philanthropic gestures by developing some communities through construction of roads and houses, and putting in place other basic infrastructures that will make life comfortable for the people.
He has created employment directly and indirectly for over 2,000 Nigerians in different areas and places where he operates.
According to Okonkwo in one of his recent interviews, “I believe that when people have employment; security menace and violence will reduce because people are employed.”
Some of his remarkable achievements and track records of honesty and being a role model worth of emulation are probably the basic reasons he was honoured by the European-American University Commonwealth of Dominica, with a doctorate degree. Since the birth of Nedcomoaks Limited in 2008, Okonkwo has continued to thrive where many businesses have crumbled. His doggedness, commitment and visionary leadership paved way for him to win several national and international accolades and recognitions, including being featured few months ago in Forbes Africa Magazine as one of the leading property entrepreneurs in Nigeria,
. Okonkwo’s company, Nedcomoaks Limited, is one of the leading real estate companies engaging in the acquisition, development and management of properties across Nigeria with its properties highly diversified with respect to design and styles, especially in different parts of Lagos State.
One thing one cannot take away from Okonkwo’s various projects is their architectural and aesthetic design.
Okonkwo and his company are customer centric because he strives to ensure that the customer gets maximum return on their investment, which is part of the Nedcomoaks policy and priority since inception based on the policy to build the best properties at the best prices.
“We spend so much on our estate projects. For example, we spent hundreds of millions on infrastructural development for people to have access to Victoria Crest at Lafiaji in Lekki. We developed the road by ourselves without any support from community member or government.”
Okonkwo, who hails from Anambra, is a devote Christian and a loving father of three kids, is also a great philanthropist. He has empowered several youths in his community and beyond.
As part of his desire to give back to the community that produced him as a blessing to the world, the Nedcomoaks Limited boss is presently developing a community Hall and an ultramodern sports Complex in his home town in Ojoto, Anambra State where he hopes youths can channel their energy to positive use.
The MD/CEO of Nedcomoaks Limited is a silent achiever and one unique thing that distinguishes him from several other entrepreneurs is his level of humility and respect.
Okonkwo, who holds a Psychology degree from the University of Ibadan (UI) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Lagos State University, is a man who does not joke with the pursuit of knowledge.
His quest for knowledge and to be a successful entrepreneur made him to undertake diverse management courses in different parts of the world, including Mauritius, United States and the United Kingdom, where he obtained different skills in Information Technology (IT), Human Resource Management, Manufacturing and most importantly Process and Systems driven Construction Management.
Apart from being a successful business man, Okonkwo is also a loving and caring husband and father to his beloved wife and children.
Despite all his achievements in the real estate sector, Okonkwo is still working towards achieving the vision of Nedcomoaks Limited, which is to become a leading real estate management and development company in West Africa.
Judging by the speed he has gained in steering the ship of the organisation and with the success recorded by the company in the last few years, it is very clear that he is edging close to his dream.
