CHIEF OKEY AMBROSE AHIWE: PORTRAIT OF A SERVANT LEADER


Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, popularly known as Okey Ahiwe was born in Umuire Village, Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community of Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, Abia State.

Okey had his primary and secondary education in Ntigha and Umuahia respectively after which he gained admission into the University of Lagos where he graduated with a BSc in Political Science and thereafter obtained his M.Sc. in the same discipline at Abia State University Uturu.

In his pursuit of knowledge and quest to consolidate his competencies in applied areas of administration, project management, business development, financial management, quality assurance, leadership development, and alternative dispute resolution, Okey has participated in various administrative and executive courses, international trainings, conferences, workshops, and peer-review programs locally and internationally.

Chief Ahiwe is widely admired across political divides and his popularity is anchored on his amiable reputation as a strong believer in the strength of human diversity, and his well-known proficiency in the harmonization of competing interests, especially in the political arena. His mantra is leadership through service – serving with a leader's confidence and leading with a servant's humility.

As a successful entrepreneur, his accomplishments are evident in the topnotch profiles of his companies, Ambrokah Investments Ltd and Powertrim Nigeria Limited which have become front liners in the maritime sub-sector of the oil and gas industry, supporting major multinational oil firms with wide-ranging services, including cathodic protection of oil pipelines onshore and offshore.

Chief Okey Ahiwe is endowed with an unusual tolerance quotient which sees him socialize freely irrespective of class without compromising standards. He is a practical example that one does not have to sit on a high horse to portray high standards.

From his Umuire Village to the most expensive cities in the world as a well-traveled person, he has often demonstrated a unique accommodating spirit, humility, listening ears, and the dignifying composure of a servant-leader.

Chief Ahiwe is a well-known philanthropist, whose foundation the Okey Ahiwe Foundation, founded over a decade ago and anchored on the principles of humanitarian services by helping to improve the well-being of the less privileged in society has undertaken various community and human development initiatives, including rehabilitation of schools, payment of school fees, payment of WASCE and JAMB fees, road construction, educational support, cultural renaissance, health outreach and general concerns for human welfare amongst other humanitarian services.

As a politician, Chief Ahiwe is a champion of politics without bitterness whose loyalty to his party has always been elevated above his personal interests. In the years leading to the current multi-party democracy, he had been an active political gladiator under the defunct ANPP before pitching his tent, consistently, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In recent times, as a major stakeholder in the PDP, he has variously served in the Campaign Council for Governorship Elections in Abia State, the last being as Coordinator of Coordinators for the re-election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019.

He has also been part of the National Sub-committees of PDP for the conduct of Party Primaries in Cross River and Oyo States and equally served as a Member of the Abia State Security Trust Fund.

For nearly 10 years, Chief Ahiwe served as pioneer elected president of the most influential socio-cultural organization in Ngwa Land, the Ngwa Patriots Forum, where his mettle as a compassionate leader and dispute resolution expert became exposed, paving way for him to serve, much later, as member of the National Reconciliation Council of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. It did not come as surprise to many when in April 2022, he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, since he assumed office as the Chief of Staff and he has brought stability to the administration and has helped improve governance processes by removing most of the bureaucratic bottlenecks previously experienced.

It is widely believed that Chief Ahiwe’s phenomenal capacity in diversity management has been a great asset deployed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to douse political tensions, harmonize a variety of interests, and sustain the existing culture of peace in Abia State as he ushers in a new democratic dispensation.

A man of deep spiritual consciousness, Chief Ahiwe is a Knight of the Order of St. John’s International (KSJI). He has been voluntarily honoured with numerous chieftaincy titles, including that of Ugomba Eziama Ntigha. He has also been honoured by many reputable organizations including Churches, town unions, professional bodies, socio-cultural associations, and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

He is happily married to Nnenna Ahiwe and they are blessed with five lovely children.