Name Peter Okocha | ||
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Peter Eloka Okocha (born February 5, 1952) is a Nigerian Igbo businessman and philanthropist from Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
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Early life and education
Okocha was born in Bisichi, Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria. His father was killed in Northern Nigeria during the Nigerian/Biafra civil War. He had his primary school education in Bisichi Tin Primary School, Bisichi, Plateau State. He initially joined St Mulumba's College in Bisichi but was forced to return to Ibusa following the outbreak of the war and was enrolled in St. Michael's College, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta state. Okocha would also join the Seminary School but was forced to quit by the actions of his mother for the reason of being the first son of the family. He therefore quit and completed his secondary school in 1971.
In 1972, Peter Okocha traveled to Northeastern University where he obtained B.Sc. in Economics, and M.Sc. in Political Economics in the same institution and later MBA in Finance and Accounting from Roosevelt University and returned to Nigeria where he did his Youth Service in 1978 with Streamline.
Business career
In 1985, Okocha's businesses included a Pharmaceutical company that is a subsidiary of Dizengoff bought over in 1985. The company produced Optalgen and animal veterinary goods. Vivaldi, another subsidiary was developed which assembled Air-Conditioners. In 1985, he came up with Chrismatel, a Clearing and Forwarding Agency. There is also Global Insurance, and Ulticare Lyka Company located in his hometown Ibusa.
In 1991, Okocha built the Michelle Terminal (Named after his wife, American-born Michelle Okocha, née McDonald) which takes about 1000 containers. In 1999, he bought African Petroleum from the money he reportedly stated he borrowed.