Prince Donatus Okonkwo
| Prince Donatus Okonkwo Honorary Consul of Democratic Republic of Congo in Nigeria | |
|---|---|
| Born | Prince Donatus Chukwunonso Okonkwo 8 August 1970 Ojoto, Anambra, Nigeria |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Nigerian |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Dean College, London, United Kingdom |
| 💼 Occupation | Founder, Tetrazzini Group, Chairman, Prince Donatus Holdings |
| 📆 Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Founding The Prince Donatus Foundation |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Princess Rachael Okonkwo (m. 1995)[1] |
| 👶 Children | 4[2] |
Prince Donatus Chukwunonso Okonkwo (born 8 August 1970) is a Nigerian business technologist, serial entrepreneur, industrialist, investor, Pastor and philanthropist. He is the Chairman, Board of Directors of Tetrazzini Group, Chairman, Prince Donatus Holdings and Founder of The Prince Okonkwo Foundation.
Early life[edit]
Childhood and family[edit]
Prince Okonkwo was born in Ojoto, Anambra, Nigeria, on 8 August 1970, to HRH, Chief Stephen and Her Majesty, Mary Okonkwo from Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state. He grew up with five (5) siblings in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State, notable of which includes Senator Annie Okonkwo and Late Mrs. Chinwe Ngonadi (née Okonkwo) who was a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs.
Education[edit]
He had his primary education at Old Court Primary School, Aba from 1975 to 1980. He attended All Saints Secondary School, Aba, from 1981 to 1986 where he passed his SSC examinations and proceeded to the then Rivers State School of Basic Studies, Port Harcourt (now Port Harcourt Polytechnic) from 1987 to 1988. He holds a Bachelor's degree On his education, he has said:
I am one of those Nigerians who didn't have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the university. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, so I went straight to a business school in the United Kingdom to study Business Technology.[3]
Career[edit]
Early career[edit]
After his secondary education in Aba, he decided to join his brothers who were successful in business, out of admiration and in an attempt to understand the basics of business. It is on the heels of this experience that he proceeded to the UK to study Business Technology. While in the UK, he took up a job at McDonalds' where he grew to the post of Supervisor before returning to Nigeria to start Tetrazzini Fast Food in 1999.
Tetrazzini Group[edit]
From what started as a quick service restaurant, in a humorous attempt to showcase his wife's world-class culinary skills, he has transformed Tetrazzini Fast Food into Tetrazzini Group of Companies. From one outlet in Ajao, Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria, the company now comprises of cross-sectorial subsidiaries which includes Tetrazzini Properties and Construction (Real Estate), Tetrazzini Foods Plc., Tetrazzini Farms and Agro Allied Industry Limited, Tetrazzini Oil and Gas, Tetrazzini Bureau de Change, all in an attempt to explore his vast business acumen. Given his track record of success, both in his business ventures and other leadership positions he has occupied, he sits as either member or Chairman, Board of Directors of other companies which includes Pinnacle Insurance Brokers, Dominion Seed Investments and Victory Insurance Brokers, to mention a few.[3]
On the success of Tetrazzini Group, he has said:
Tetrazzini started small just like every small enterprise, but with God on my side, dedication and commitment, the business has thrived. Consistency and hardwork is the price for success.[4]
Politics Prince D. Okonkwo contested and won the Councillorship seat in Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Lagos State, under the platform of National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN) in 1997. In view of his passion for the development of his state, he contested for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the build up to the Anambra Gubernatorial election in 2017.[5] [6]
Currently, he serves as the Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Nigeria, a position he has occupied since
Philanthropy[edit]
In line with his passion for education, he has built several classroom blocks, renovated and equipped the science laboratory at Ojoto Boys High School, Ojoto, a secondary school in his hometown. He has solely executed numerous projects, in an attempt to provide succor and foster the peace and development of the region through human capacity development. Some of his contributions include; Anambra Widows Support Program (2008-Present) Prince Okonkwo Scholarship Scheme for indigent students (1999– present) which has seen thousands of less privileged children through school without stress; the General Library, Ojoto was built in 2001 by Prince D. Okonkwo. Currently, he is the Patron of Bethesda Child Support Agency and Little Saints Orphanage, both based in Lagos, Nigeria. Plans are underway for the official launch of The Prince Okonkwo Foundation with the vision of extending his impact to other regions through strategic partnerships to provide opportunities for the African youth.
On the rising unemployment in Africa, he has said:
Government is not an employer of labour, rather government creates an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to thrive. That is the essence of good governance and unless this is done, unemployment rate will continue to soar.[4]
Recognition[edit]
He is an Executive Member of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship of Nigeria. He also serves as the President of Nigerian Youth Leaders Forum, the National Intercessory Group and is a Member of the World Youth Assembly. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies and a guest facilitator at the Lagos Business School where he teaches young entrepreneurs the strategies he has used to scale through in business. His leadership and entrepreneurial qualities have earned him both local and international recognition. Some of which includes;
- 'Most Outstanding Entrepreneur' by Gold Meritorious Award – 1995
- 'Excellent Leadership Award' from Platinum Award – 2006
- 'Award of Honor' from African Youth 21st Century – 2008
- Honorary Doctorate Degree from North Carolina University, USA – 2008
- 'Award of Excellence' by the Student Union Government of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for his contribution to the development of the institution – 2009
- 'Award of Excellence' from the Nigerian Television Authority – 2010
- In 2014, he received the Inspiration Award for Leadership
- 'Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year' by Ernst and Young – 2016
Personal life[edit]
Prince Okonkwo married his heartthrob, Princess Rachael Okonkwo in 1995. Their relationship dates back to the early days in Aba and the days of little beginning of Tetrazzini Fast Food [3] [1]
They are blessed with five (5) children. He is a devout Christian and serves in David Ibiyeomie led Salvation Ministries, Lagos. He loves cooking, music and entertainment. He spends his free time watching basketball.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Chairman Tetrazzini group, Prince Don Okonkwo marks 50th Birthday, 25th wedding anniversary in grand style". Vanguard. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ↑ "Prince Don Okonkwo And His Family Cover Special Edition Of The Screen Magazine". Tilao Afe. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Donatus Okonkwo: The Love Story that Birthed Tetrazzini". This Day. 28 May 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Why we're building Nigeria's largest farm –Okonkwo, Tetrazzini boss". The Sun. 3 May 2021.
- ↑ "Anambra election: APC's Prince Okonkwo gets endorsed by delegates". Legit NG. 25 August 2017.
- ↑ "I Will Rid Anambra State Off Poverty – Okonkwo, APC Guber Aspirant". Naijaloaded. 14 June 2017.
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