Nationality Nigerian Children Chike Okoli | Years active 1976–present | |
 | ||
Born 1944 (age 72–73) Kano State, Nigeria Occupation Pharmacist
entrepreneur Alma maters University of Bradford, University of London | ||
Stella Chinyelu Okoli (MON, OON) (born c. 1944) is a Nigerian pharmacist and entrepreneur. She is the founder and current C.E.O of Emzor Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
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Early life and education
Stella was born in Kano State, Northern Nigeria into the family of Felix Ebelechukwu and Margaret Modebelu, descents of Nnewi in Anambra State. She started her formal education in 1954 after enrolling as a pupil at All Saint Primary School, Onitsha before proceeding to complete her secondary school education in 1964 at Ogidi Girls Secondary School, Ogidi.
In 1969, Stella graduated from the University of Bradford after studying Pharmacy. She also holds an M.Sc certificate in Biopharmaceutical after graduating from the University of London, Chelsea College in 1971.
Career
Prior to the establishment of Emzor Pharmaceutical, Stella had worked in several pharmaceutical firms including Middlesex Hospital, London, Boots the Chemists Limited and Pharma-Deko.
In January 1977, Stella started Emzor Pharmaceutical with the initial name "Emzor Chemists Limited" as a small pharmacy retail shop in Somolu, Lagos State. Emzor Pharmaceutical has since become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria with over 50 products since its incorporation in 1984.
A current member of the Economic Summit of Nigeria and the Health Matters Advisory Board of Nigeria, Stella currently serves as the Vice President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture having served as Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Philanthropy
After the death of her son Chike Okoli in 2005, Stella started the Chike Okoli Foundation in 2006 as a non-profit organisation founded with the aim of fighting poverty and diseases by raising awareness on cardiovascular diseases. She also runs the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies.
Accolades and recognitions
In recognition for her achievements and contributions to the health sector in Nigeria, Stella was bestowed with the Member of the Order of the Niger award. In 2012, she was honoured at the 17th ThisDay Annual Awards. She is also a recipient of the ECOWAS International Gold Award.