Victor Ochei

Victor Ochei is a former Nigerian Member of the House of Assembly from Ogbekenu in Onicha Olona Delta State. He was elected as Speaker for the Delta State House of Assembly on 6 June 2011, and as the representative of the Aniocha North constituency,[1] marking the commencement of the Fifth Assembly of the Delta State Legislature. He held the position of Primus Inter Pares of the Delta State Assembly for a period of two years and nine months before his resignation on 18 March 2014.

Victor Ochei
Onyekachi
Personal details
Born (1969-02-25) 25 February 1969
Kano State, Nigeria
Political partyPeople's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
Alma materUniversity of Benin
Chemical Engineering
Websitewww.victorochei.ng

Early life and education

Ochei Victor Onyekachi was born on February 25, 1969, in Kano and hails from Onicha Olona in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.[2] Ochei attended Methodist Primary School and St. Thomas Secondary School in Kano. He later proceeded to the University of Benin, in Benin City, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. He then performed the mandatory one year National Youth Service at Ondo State.

After his bachelor's degree and youth service, Ochei then went on to obtain a Master of Science degree in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

Ochei has obtained certificates in good governance, effective legislation, and improving secondary school education from the Oxford University, the University of California, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He obtained a law degree from Delta State University. He also earned an MBA degree in 1996.[3][4]

Private Enterprise

As an advocate of entrepreneurial skills and endeavors, Ochei relocated to Asaba, the capital of Delta State. He then began his career in business by printing calendars and other memorabilia.[5]

Ochei also founded DavNotch Nigeria Limited, an engineering company.

Political career

On the political terrain, Ochei vied for a seat in power, and in 2003, he emerged the representative of Aniocha North Constituency and later, Deputy Minority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, on the platform of the United Nigerian People's Party, UNPP; a position held till 2006. In his second bid for elective office, he opted for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and got re-elected on the party's platform into the State Legislature. He became Chairman of the House Committee on Education until the end of the Fourth Assembly of the Delta State Legislature. He contested the 26 April 2011 election and was re-elected to the state legislature for a third term. He was elected by his colleagues as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Career

Ochei was the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), having served for 2 years and 9 months (6 June 2011 to 18 March 2014)—the longest serving Speaker in the history of the Delta State Assembly. As a member of the house, he has been elected three times as the representative of the Aniocha North constituency.[6][7][8]

Professional Affiliations

Ochei earned the Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) for his contributions to the practice and development of engineering in the country in 2011. He is also a fellow at the Institute of African Studies (IAS) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.[9]

Awards

Ochei is an advocate of the maxim that views hard work and discipline as the key ingredients of success; his signature slogan is, "Hard work is the basic foundation for ensuring enduring success".[10] Ochei received various awards, including Awards of Excellence from organizations such as the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and an "Award of Merit" presented by the Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter). As State Assembly Speaker, Ochei is the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).

He has received awards from Anioma Trends: Legislator of the Year in 2011-2012; Warri Development Platform: Best Speaker in Nigeria; Exceptional International Magazine: Exceptional Speaker of the Year; and was nominated for State Assembly Speaker of the Year 2013 for the Nigerian Legislative Excellence Awards.[11]

During the 2011 National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting at Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, he was awarded the distinguished Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) award, making him the youngest Nigerian engineer to attain such an award.[12]

The Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is also recognized for his educational achievements, with a special focus on inspiring and equipping young people with the tools of success. Some of the awards received in this category include: the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Meritorious Service Award; the Award of Excellence; the Fellowship of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; [13] and the Worldwide Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA), which was presented at the 41st Founder’s Day Anniversary.[14] As a young man himself who has played a pivotal role in youth development at both grass-roots and national levels, he has received an award for excellence from the Ogwashi-Uku Youth Development Association, been voted Patron of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (Delta State), and been named Grand Patron of the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF).[15] Victor Ochei is also the recipient of awards like the Promotion of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Award presented by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Custodian of Culture Award (Dance Nigeria Consult), the Gentleman Saint Award (De Saints International), the Golden Voice Award (Delta Project Movement), the Growth and Development of the Anioma People Award (Anioma Congress), the Ambassadors’ Award for Outstanding Performance (Ogwashi – Uku Cultural Organization), and the Niger Delta Achievers’ Merit Award.

Philanthropy

Ochei is a patron of the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation and chairman of the Delta State Wrestling Association. [16]

In community service, Ochei is a donor to Rotary International and a member of the De Saints International Club. [17]

He founded the Victor Ochei Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that provides transportation, investments, and education to the Aniocha North Constituency.

Philanthropic and Social

  1. Donation of brand new buses to all the secondary schools in Aniocha North LGA.
  2. Donation of books to schools in Aniocha North.
  3. Donation of books to Delta State University, Abraka[18]
  4. The Victor Ochei Foundation awards scholarships and provides assistance to indigent students and exceptionally brilliant students in the payment of school and examination fees, including related educational expenses.
  5. A scholarship up to university level was awarded to Miss Christabel Ogbeide, who came third in the first edition of the Delta State Spelling Bee Competition, initiated by his amiable wife, Mrs. Hanatu Ochei.
  6. Proposed modern lecture theater at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University. The architectural plan for the gigantic project is ready.
  7. Institution of awards for the 10 best graduating students from the 10 departments of the Federal College of Education, Asaba, which will run throughout his lifetime.
  8. Financial empowerment of the best investigative reporter in Delta State as a way of encouraging in-depth investigative journalism
  9. Sponsorship of inter-school debate among secondary schools under the platform of the De Saints International Club, an international philanthropic organization. The project seeks to promote scholarship and help students improve their spoken English.[19]
  10. Thousands of Aniocha North and South indigenes and beyond have immensely benefited from Ochei through private and government job placements and direct political appointments.
  11. Civil contractors and service providers from Aniocha North and beyond have greatly benefited from government and personal patronage made possible by Ochei.

Education - Based Constituency Projects

During his three (3) consecutive tenures as the Representative of the Aniocha North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Ochei has spearheaded many educational and infrastructural development projects within the constituency. One of the significant projects among these initiatives was the renovation, modernization, and provision of educational aids for 19 basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the Aniocha North Constituency.[20]

Road Infrastructure Projects

  1. Issele Uku, Issele Mkpitime, and OnichaOlona Road
  2. OnichaOlona—Atuma—Otulu Road
  3. Issele Uku, Idumu Ogo, and Obomkpa Road
  4. The Aniocha Ring Road

Other Constituency/State-based Projects

  1. Issele Uku viewing center
  2. Financial empowerment of over 1000 women from Aniocha North to assist them in setting up small businesses[21]
  3. Replicating the same financial empowerment for more than 12 thousand women from the remaining 24 LGAs in Delta State.
  4. Government Hospital, Onicha Olona.
  5. Onicha Ugbo viewing center
  6. Issele-Uku Fire Station
  7. Onicha Olona Street Light (PHCN/Solar).
  8. Issele Uku street light (solar)
  9. Aniofu street light (solar)
  10. High Court, Issele Uku.
  11. Massive reconstruction and renovation of the Delta State House of Assembly Complex and the addition of new structures

Victor O. Ochei holds traditional titles in Onicha-Olona, Onicha Ugbo, and Umuebu, which are recognized and celebrated by the communities.

References

  1. Vanguardngr (14 January 2014). "Delta 2015: Yes, I support power shift — Ochei". Vanguardngr. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  2. MSN News (2 August 2014). "Victor Ochei tourney set for Lagos". MSN News. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  3. thetimesofnigeria (10 March 2014). "Delta Speaker, Victor Ochei, Escapes Bomb Blast". thetimesofnigeria. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  4. The Pointer Newspaper (10 March 2014). "Victor Ochei: A Blend Of Intellect And Service". The Pointer Newspaper. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  5. The Pointer Newspaper (4 November 2014). "Victor Ochei: A Blend Of Intellect And Service". The Pointer Newspaper. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  6. "VICTOR OCHEI - Deltans want Victor Ochei - A Viable Delta State in 2015 with Victor Ochei". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  7. dailyindependentnig (23 December 2013). "Emulating Victor Ochei". dailyindependentnig. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  8. thenigerianvoice (6 August 2011). "Delta Assembly elects Victor Ochei as Speaker, Ganagana Returns as Deputy". thenigerianvoice. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  9. The Pointer Newspaper (4 March 2014). "When Hon Ochei Bagged NSE's Professional Fellowship Award". The Pointer Newspaper. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  10. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Hon. Victor Ochei Answers Questions from Facebook Fans. YouTube.
  11. "Shortlisted Nominees emerge for the Nigerian Legislative Excellence Awards 2013 | Prime Lawmakers". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  12. "Welcome to Olikeze Forum: RT HON VICTOR OCHEI BEING DECORATED AS A FELLOW OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS". Welcome to Olikeze Forum. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Ochei Honoured With UNIBEN's Most Distinguished Alumnus Award". The Pointer News Online. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  15. Ikeji, Linda (24 March 2014). "Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball 2014 Ends in Grand Style | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog". Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball 2014 Ends in Grand Style | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  16. TheEagleOnline (14 January 2014). "Ochei: Attaining heights from a humble beginning". TheEagleOnline. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  17. TheGazelleNews (14 January 2014). "Delta Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei's Passion For Charity And Good Governance". TheGazelleNews. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  18. "Ochei: Manifesting courage and confidence". Vanguard News. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  19. "Delta State Assembly » Enduring Footsteps of an Unusual Philanthropist". Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  20. "Projects". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  21. flashpointnews (8 April 2013). "Rt. Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei, FNSE, Speaker, DTHA, Empowers Women of Aniocha North (Special Feature)". Flash Point News. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
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