Victor Ochei

Early life and education

Ochei Victor Onyekachi, hails from Onicha Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Born 25 February 1969 in Kano, he attended Methodist Primary School and St. Thomas Secondary School respectively in Kano. Young Victor later proceeded to the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Benin City, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.), in Chemical Engineering after which he went for the mandatory National Youth Service at Ondo State.

He later earned the Master of Science degree in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. In his craving for good governance in Nigeria, Victor Ochei obtained certificates in Good Governance, Effective Legislating and Improving Secondary School Education from the famous Oxford University, University of California and the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Education, respectively. He obtained a Law Degree (LL.B) from the Delta State University (DELSU). He also earned the MBA degree in 1996.

Private Enterprise

Victor Ochei is an advocate of entrepreneurial skills and endeavours. He relocated to Asaba, the fledgling capital of Delta State, where he made his first foray into business by printing calendars and other memorabilia. He confronted head-on, the entrepreneurial challenges in Nigeria. Victor ventured fully into self-employment by founding DavNotch Nigeria Limited, a company, which within a fourteen year-span, grew in leaps and bounds with more than 250 direct staff, including foreign experts of various competencies. The company is reputed to be one of the leading indigenous engineering firms in Nigeria.

Political career

On the political terrain, Victor is seen as a rare chemistry of integrity and tenacity of purpose. He cut his political teeth in 2003, where he emerged as the representative of Aniocha North Constituency and later, Deputy Minority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, on the platform of the United Nigerian People’s Party, UNPP; a position he held till 2006. In his second bid for elective office, he opted for the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), and got re-elected on the party’s platform into the State Legislature. He became Chairman of the House Committee on Education till the end of the Fourth Assembly of the Delta State Legislature. He contested in the 26 April 2011 election and was re-elected into the State legislature for a third term. He was elected by his colleagues as Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly.

Career

Ochei was the Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly DTHA, having served for 2 years and 9 months (6 June 2011 to 18 March 2014) - the longest serving Speaker in the History of the Delta State Assembly. As a member of the house, he has been elected 3 times as the representative of Aniocha North constituency.

Professional Affiliations

Outside his academic and political achievements, Ochei has also earned the enviable Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, (FNSE), for his contributions to the practice and development of engineering in the country. By that singular attainment in 2011, he became, at 42, the youngest Nigerian to earn the prestigious fellowship. He is also a Fellow, Institute of African Studies (F.I.A.S), University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Awards

Victor Ochei is widely regarded as a man with an insatiable appetite for standards and excellence. An advocate of the maxim that views hard work and discipline as the key ingredients of success, his signature slogan is, "Hardwork is the basic foundation for ensuring enduring success". Victor Ochei is the recipient of a plethora of awards, which bear witness to the impact of his ideals, notable among which are Awards of Excellence from organizations like the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and an "Award of Merit" presented by the Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter). In terms of achievements as State Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei is the longest serving and arguably the most effective Speaker in the history of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA). He has received awards for his exemplary service from organizations like Anioma Trends - Legislator of the year 2011/2012, Warri Development Platform - Best Speaker in Nigeria, Exceptional International Magazine - Exceptional Speaker of the year, and was nominated for State Assembly Speaker of the Year 2013 for the Nigerian Legislative Excellence Awards.

Despite being the Aniocha North Representative and an active member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, who is a graduate of Chemical Engineering, still pursues excellence in the engineering discipline by helping to uphold the standards of the profession. This was recognized during the 2011 National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting at Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, where he was awarded the distinguished Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers award (FNSE),

making him the youngest Nigerian engineer to attain such an award.

Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is also recognized for his educational achievements, with special focus on inspiring and equipping young people with the tools of success. Some of the awards received in this category include; National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) – Meritorious Service Award, Delta State University (Oleh Campus) – Award of Excellence, Fellowship of The Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

and finally, the Worldwide Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA), which was presented at the 41st Founder’s Day Anniversary. As a young man himself, who has played a pivotal role in youth development at both grass root and national levels, he has received an award for excellence by the Ogwashi-Uku Youth Development Association, voted Patron of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (Delta State), and Grand Patron of the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF). Being a firm advocate of the protection against human rights violations and the propagation of the African Culture, Victor Ochei is also the proud recipient of awards like the Promotion of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Award presented by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Custodian of Culture Award (Dance Nigeria Consult), Gentleman Saint (De Saints International), Golden Voice Award (Delta Project Movement), Growth and Development of the Anioma People Award (Anioma Congress), Ambassadors’ Award for Outstanding Performance (Ogwashi – Uku Cultural Organization) and the Niger Delta Achievers’ Merit Award.

Philanthropy and other Pursuits

Hon. Victor Onyekachi Ochei is a consummate philanthropist with bias for human capital development as the veritable tool for societal progress. He borrowed this from his late father’s view that education, is "…the only legacy worth bequeathing".

A renowned sports fan and sponsor, Victor is also acknowledged as a reputable community leader. As a sports fan and sponsor, Victor is a patron of the highly successful Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation and Chairman, Delta State Wrestling Association. By his devotion to the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation, he has revolutionized sports for the physically-challenged and given them a positive new sense of belonging. He has equally sponsored at great personal expense, many meets involving the physically-challenged in the country.

As a lawmaker in the African scratchers, Victor has earned the support and adoration of his constituents as made manifest by his successful election, as the representative of the Aniocha North Constituency, for three consecutive terms.

In community service, Victor is a major donor to the Rotary International and strong member of the De Saints International Club, an NGO with a passion for the less privileged. He believes that it is when people are sufficiently empowered, that they contribute positively to development of the society.

His spirit of public service also culminated in his founding of the VICTOR OCHEI FOUNDATION, a Non-Governmental Organisation, which provides succour to the people in Aniocha North Constituency through affordable transportation, small and medium scale investments and a commitment to affordable education. This has led to instituting various scholarship schemes to cater for brilliant but indigent students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Philanthropic and Social

1. Donation of brand new buses to all the secondary schools in Aniocha North LGA.
2. Donation of books to schools in Aniocha North.
3. Donation of books to Delta State University, Abraka.
4. Award of scholarship, assistance to indigent students and exceptionally brilliant students in payment of school and examination fees, including related educational expenses through the Victor Ochei Foundation.
5. Award of scholarship up to university level to Miss Christabel Ogbeide who came third in the first edition of the Delta State Spelling Bee Competition, initiated by his amiable wife, Mrs. Hanatu Ochei.
6. Proposed modern lecture theatre at the Oleh Campus of Delta State University. The architectural plan for the gigantic project is ready.
7. Institution of awards for the 10 best graduating students from Ten Departments of the Federal College of Education, Asaba, which will run throughout his lifetime.
8. Financial Empowerment of the best investigative reporter in Delta State as a way of encouraging in depth investigative journalism.
9. Sponsorship of inter-school debate among secondary schools under the platform of the De Saints International Club, an international philanthropic organisation. The project seeks to promote scholarship and help students to improve their spoken English.
10. Thousands of Aniocha North and South indigenes and beyond, have immensely benefited from Victor through private/government job placements and direct political appointments.
11. Civil contractors/service providers from Aniocha North and beyond, have greatly benefited from government and personal patronages made possible by Victor Ochei.

Education - Based Constituency Projects

During his three (3) consecutive tenures as the Representative of the Aniocha North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei has spearheaded many Educational and Infrastructural Development projects within the constituency. Most notable amongst these projects is the renovation, modernization and the provision of educational aids for 19 Basic, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions in Aniocha North Constituency.

Road Infrastructure Projects

1. Issele Uku - Issele Mkpitime - OnichaOlona Road.
2. OnichaOlona - Atuma - Otulu Road.
3. Issele Uku - Idumu Ogo – Obomkpa Road.
4. The Aniocha Ring Road.

Other Constituency/State-based Projects

1. Issele Uku viewing centre
2. Financial empowerment of over one thousand women from Aniocha North, to assist them in setting up small businesses.
3. Replicating same financial empowerment to more than 12 thousand women from the remaining 24 LGAs in Delta State.
4. Government Hospital, Onicha Olona.
5. Onicha Ugbo viewing centre.
6. Issele-Uku Fire Station.
7. Onicha Olona Street light (PHCN/Solar).
8. Issele Uku street light (Solar)
9. Aniofu street light (Solar)
10. High Court, Issele Uku.
11. Massive reconstruction/renovation of the Delta State House of Assembly Complex and adding of new structures.

Hon Victor O. Ochei, who reflects the truism of his baptismal name, is also recognized and celebrated traditionally as the Olikeze of Onicha-Olona, the Ihaza of Onicha Ugbo and the Onyeze of Umuebu. He is happily married with children.

All of these achievements, particularly the diversity of his academic and professional pursuits, including his services to the people of Delta State, position him as an uncommonly well-rounded man of letters, experience and character with well-honed leadership skills and a passion for public service.