About Dr. Emmanuel Okeson
Born on the 1st of July, 1965 in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria Dr Emmanuel Okeson attended Umuohama Community School, Ukpor and thereafter went to Government College Surulere, Lagos.
He attended the Prestigious Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2005 and graduated with a Diploma Certificate in Administration and Management. Dr. Okeson also pursued a Degree course at the same University and obtained a BSc Degree in Business administration in 2015 and thereafter received Honorary Doctorate degree in Business Administration from Commonwealth University.
In 1984, Prince Okeson set up his first company in Nigeria called Emmatex Industrial Agency, venturing into the importation and distribution of electrical and industrial components and spare parts.
By 1985, Okeson expanded his business activities into the West Coast and began exporting locally made products such as Electric Cables, Electric Bulbs, Fixtures, Beverages, Toiletries, Hair and Beauty Products to neighboring African countries including Ghana.
With a vision to become one of the most successful African entrepreneurs establishing strategic presence across the continent, Okeson relocated to Ghana in 1986 to do business. After a stint with some famous Ghanaian companies, he established his own company named City Lights Limited in 1989.City lights was the first lighting company in Ghana and still the Market leader up till today. Under his prudent and entrepreneurial acumen, City lights Limited has grown to become a dominant player in lighting business in Africa.
Today, Okeson has diversified his business interests into other important sectors of the Ghanaian economy such as Agriculture, Civil Construction, Real Estate, Water Engineering, Micro Finance,Media and Hospitality and has employed over three hundred Ghanaians in his companies at the moment and still counting.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Mr. Okeson’s philosophy about wealth creation is that it is unethical to accumulate wealth without giving back to the very society from where it emanated. In line with this belief, he consistently and dutifully provides assistance to various public and private institutions in Ghana and beyond.
Some beneficiaries of his corporate social responsibilities include: Ghana Police Service, several Communities and District Assemblies in Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and the Western Regions of Ghana. Dr. Okeson is also extending this philanthropic part of his life into assisting several Nigerian distressed students in Ghana, stranded Nigerians and other challenged individuals in Ghana as well,
Religious bodies such as Methodist Church of Ghana, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ghana have also benefitted from this gesture. Others such as the University of Ghana-Legon, Labone Secondary School; All Nigerian’s Community, Ghana, National Association Nigerian Students, Ghana, National Union of Rivers State students, Ghana, South- South Community among others.
As a proud and patriotic Nigerian and in passionate support of the “Re-brand Nigeria” initiative of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration, Prince Okeson co-founded and financed the TV show,” International Focus on Nigeria”—IFN, with the sole aim of laundering the sunken image of Nigeria in the Diaspora. His companies are also the pioneer sponsors of the “Miss Nigeria, Ghana” beauty pageant
In response to the yearning of majority of Nigerian students and the All Nigerian’s community Ghana ( of which He is the Trustees Board Chairman),Dr. Okeson is setting up a first ever Nigerian owned private University in Ghana. Construction work on the West Coast University has started. Barring any unanticipated hitches from the national Accreditation Board of Ghana, first batch of students will be admitted soon.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND HONORS
Mr. Okeson has been honoured by several bodies and institutions for his outstanding contributions to humanity and excellence in genuine business exploits. Among these are the Nigerian Government through the High Commission in Ghana, Nobles International Award for being an Eminent West African who upholds the virtues of Honesty, Integrity and Accountability by the West African Nobles Forum, Religious bodies, NGO’s, Northern Youth council of Nigeria, Traditional Authorities and Educational Institutions etc.
He is currently the Chairman, Board of Trustees of all Nigerian’s Community, Ghana (Umbrella body for all Nigerians residing in Ghana) and a Patron of the Igbo Community in Ghana. He was the recipient of the Most Customer Focused C.E.O for 2011 and 2012 respectively.
In 2014, Prince Okeson was appointed as the National Coordinator, Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria Ghana Chapter.
He is also the Grand Patron of Igbo Youth Forum in Diaspora (a Pan- Igbo youth advocacy group, championing the cause of reintegration of Ndi igbo into the core of the Nigerian polity).
Dr. Okeson believes that Socio- cultural divide that militates against our cherished desire for Sub-regional integration could be bridged through frequent social interactions and intermarriages. He is married with seven children.