It is no longer news that renowned business icon and founding president of Ngwa Patriots Forum, Chief Okey Ahiwe, has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State. His appointment which has been extolled by most Abians and key political stakeholders, followed the resignation of erstwhile Chief of Staff to the Governor, Professor ACB Agbazuere.
Widely admired across political divides, Chief Ahiwe’s popular acceptance is anchored on his amiable reputation as a strong believer in the strength of human diversity and his well-known proficiency in harmonization of competing interests especially in the political arena. His mantra is leadership through service – serving with the confidence of a leader and leading with the humility of a servant.
Born on December 26, 1966, he hails from Umuire Village in Eziama Ntigha Autonomous Community of Isiala-Ngwa North LGA in Abia State. Following his basic education in Ntigha and Umuahia respectively, he obtained his first degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos and his M.Sc. in the same discipline at Abia State University. He has participated in various executive courses, international trainings, conferences, workshops and peer-review programs in his pursuit of knowledge and quest to consolidate his competences in applied areas of administration, project management, business development, financial management, quality assurance, leadership development and alternative dispute resolution.
His accomplishments as a successful entrepreneur are evident in the 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 dropping standards. From his Umuire Village to the best cities of the world as a well-travelled person, he has often demonstrated a unique accommodating spirit, listening ears and the dignifying composure of a servant-leader. His footprints in support of community development initiatives, including rehabilitation of schools, road construction, education support and cultural renaissance are simply indelible.
An astute politician, Chief Ahiwe is a champion of politics without bitterness whose loyalty to his party is elevated above personal interests. As a major stakeholder in the Peoples Democratic Party (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. Chief Ahiwe has also been a member of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Reconciliation Council.
His appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State couldn’t have come at a better time, given the exigent need in the unfolding political landscape for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to douse political tensions, harmonize variety of interests, sustain the existing culture of peace, and seamlessly midwife the transition to a new democratic era without compromising quality in governance processes and public service delivery.
Chief Okey Ahiwe is happily married to Nnenna Ahiwe and they are blessed with five lovely children. A man of deep spiritual consciousness, he is a Knight of St. John’s International (KSJI) and has been voluntarily honoured with numerous chieftaincy titles, including that of Ugomba Eziama Ntigha. His hobbies include reading memoirs and playing table tennis.
