Simon Okeke
Simon Nsobundu Okeke OON, OFR (born 7 January 1936 in Amichi) is a Nigerian politician, realtor, businessman and former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) from Nnewi, Anambra state.[1] He is one of the forebearers of the 1999 democratic government in Nigeria that transitioned from Military rule. He is also the CEO of Knight Frank real estate. He was awarded ECOWAS Award for leadership role in Business and Profession.[2] He is married to Ambassador Vivian Okeke who was a former Nigerian diplomat and Ambassador to Austria, Slovakia and permanent representative to the United Nations.
Background and education
He attended Dennis Memorial Grammer School, Onitsha in 1951-1955 and before moving to St Marks’ Teachers Training College 1956-1957 followed by a short teaching career, and later proceeded with a Federal Scholarship to the University of London in 1961 where he graduated and became one of the early Nigerian Graduates in Estate Management and Land Economy.
Career
He began his early career as a class teacher at Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, Enugu. after his graduation from the Teachers Training College in 1957. Upon his graduation as a realtor from the University of London in 1961, he joins the real estate business. On November 28, 2001 to November 27, 2006, he was appointed the executive chairman of Police Service Commission, by the then Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. He was in charge of the commission which is the general recruiter and managing body of the entire Nigeria Police officers with the responsibilities to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary measures over all personnels in the Nigeria Police Force, with the exception of the Inspector- General of Police, who was appointed by the presidency.
Books and publications
- Just as I am[3]
Awards and recognitions
- Ochendo Amichi, Traditional Title Holder
- Nigerian Intervarsity Fellowship award for leadership in real estate profession;
- ECOWAS award for leadership role in business and profession;
- Rotary International award;
- United States Department of Justice Award in Criminal Investigation and support of the INL/ICITAP.
He is also a recipient of 14 MERIT, GOLD, and PLATINUM awards.
Professional bodies and membership
- Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (FNIVS)
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors United Kingdom (FRICS)
- International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI)
- Commonwealth Association for Surveying and Land Economy (CASL)
Reference
- ^ Lawal, Nurudeen (2023-05-07). ""Let court complete its job": Buhari, CJN asked to stop Tinubu's inauguration". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Udo, Mary (2017-02-13). "OKEKE, Chief Simon Nsobundu". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
- ^ Okeke, Chief Simon (2015-12-02). Just As I am (2nd edition ed.). Simon Nsobundu Okeke. pp. pp.1.
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