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Godwin Ubaka Okeke

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Godwin Ubaka Okeke
Born6 June
Onitsha
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationBusinessman
Organization(s)G.U.Okeke and SONS LTD
Known forTransport Company, Motor Manufacturing Company
TitleChief Dr. (Sir), MON, Chairman/Chief Executive officer of GUO Motors
SpousePatricia Okeke
Parent(s)Chief Joseph Ikeokwu Okeke and Madam Christiana Nwaoye Okeke
Websitehttps://guotransport.com/

Godwin Ubaka Okeke also known as GUO is a Nigerian businessman from Adazi-Ani Anambra State. He is the chairman, board of directors, G. U. OKEKE & SONS LTD, a transport company.[1][2][3][4] He is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO).[5][6][7][8]

Early life

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Godwin Okeke, an Igbo Christian[9] was born in June 1949 in Iyi-Enu Hospital Ogidi, Anambra State to Chief Joseph Ikeokwu Okeke and Madam Christiana Nwaoye Okeke as the sixth of eight children made up of seven male and one female. He hails from Adazi-ani in Anaocha Local Government Area Anambra State, Nigeria.[10]

Education

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Godwin Okeke started his primary education at age 6 in 1955 at Central School, Onitsha. He had his secondary education at Community Grammar School, Nnobi from 1963. In 1966, he joined "Man O' War" training in preparation to becoming a prefect. The training is akin to Leadership training or National Youth Service.[10]

Personal life

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GUO married his Wife Patricia Obiageli Okeke of Umuru, Adazi-Ani, A retired civil servant and currently the Proprietress and Principal of Supreme Knowledge Schools, Nkpor, Onitsha,[11] and together their marriage is blessed with six boys and two daughters.[12][13][14][15][16]

Business career

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Godwin started his career in business during his school days, he helps his parents in trading at various market during weekends. He formally ventured into transportation business the day after the Nigerian Civil War ended on 15 January 1970. GUO trekked a distance of about 12 km from Adazi-Ani to Nnewi with some of his brothers and came home safely. He told his parents that he will be going to Onitsha the day after to check his parents business and they willingly released their Peugeot 404 saloon car to him. He travelled to Onitsha and visited their parent's properties which were all intact. From there, he went to Fegge (one of the districts in Onitsha). On his way back from Onitsha to Adazi-Ani, passengers were milling around the car, asking if he was going to Enugu due to vehicle scarcity. He picked eight (8) passengers and conveyed them to Ogbete in Enugu, when the passengers alighted, those going to Onitsha rushed to his car and he carried eight (8) passengers back to Onitsha. He made a lot of money by the time he returned to Adazi-Ani. This experience on 16 January 1970, inspired him to venture in transportation business. GUO arrived Onitsha from Adazi-Ani as early as 5am to resume conveying passengers between Onitsha and Enugu as vehicles were scarce the day after.[17] Godwin's transportation journey started fully when he bought Volkswagen Combi bus to carry passengers from Onitsha to Lagos, and he also introduced two Mercedes 911 for haulage. Godwin Ubaka Okeke Founded GUO Transport Company Ltd in 1980, G.U.O whose full meaning is"Godwin Ubaka Okeke.[18][19]

Notable Milestones

1971 - supplier of eggs to University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.[20]

1972 – Deployed Volkswagen Combi bus

1975 – Deployed two 911 trucks.

1981 – Deployment of luxury buses.

Current positions

  • Chairman, board of directors, G. U. OKEKE & SONS LTD
  • Chairman, board of directors, G. U. OKEKE TRANSPORT SERVICES COMPANY LTD[3][20]
  • Chairman, board of directors, ANAMMCO LTD[5][6]
  • Chairman, board of directors, VARAMAN INDUSTRIES LTD[20]
  • Member, board of directors, BOHJSONS LTD[9]
  • Chairman, board of trustees Godwin & Patricia Okeke Foundation[21][22][23][16]
  • Member, Anambra State Security Advisory Council

Awards and recognitions

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  • Honorary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Business Administration (D.BA) from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 2008
  • Member of the Order of the Niger (M.O.N.), 2007
  • Knighted by the Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion)
  • Admitted into the Order of Gideon on the Niger
  • Certificate of Honour from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1999
  • Life Vice President Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, 2001-till date
  • St. Jude's Anglican Church, Adazi-Ani Member, Parochial Church Council Treasurer for ten years
  • Chairman of Harvest Committee for four years
  • Member in 1991 and vice-chairman, 2008 to 2012 of Anambra State Trust Fund.
  • President, Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), 1988 to 1991.
  • President-General, Onitsha Main Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA), 1991 to 1993.
  • Member of Onitsha Sports Club – a member of board of trustees and president for six years and avid tennis player.
  • Onwa Anaocha Local Government and Adazi-Ani.
  • Agunecheibe of Amandugba, Imo State.
  • Babalaje of Otto and Lagos Mainland..
  • English language department building which was converted to the Chinese language department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
  • Patron, Anambra Blind Students Association
  • Patron, Central School for the Deaf and Dumb.[24][2]

References

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  1. ^ Ogechukwu M. Chuks-Ezekwibe, PhD (2024-09-18). "CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARKETS IN ONITSHA METROPPLIS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ANAMBRA STATE, 1975-2023". Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development. 7 (3). ISSN 2630-7073.
  2. ^ a b "Commentary: Biography Of Chief Dr. (Sir) Godwin Ubaka Okeke". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  3. ^ a b Bridge, The Head (2022-03-01). "The Lifestyle Of The Billionaire, G.U. Okeke". The Head Bridge. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  4. ^ vanguard (2015-05-21). "How I delivered ransom to kidnappers of GUO Motors boss - Personal driver". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  5. ^ a b Nlebem, Anthony (2019-04-10). "ANAMCO to flood Nigerian market with Made-in-Nigerian vehicles". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  6. ^ a b "Nigeria Needs an Automobile Law, ANAMMCO Chairman – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  7. ^ vanguard (2013-11-25). "How my kidnappers were arrested - GUO Motors boss". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  8. ^ III, Admin (2019-06-17). "Transporter appeals to politicians to allow youth takeover governance". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  9. ^ a b "Commentary: Biography Of Chief Dr. (Sir) Godwin Ubaka Okeke". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  10. ^ a b Toni (2022-07-25). "Godwin Ubaka Okeke (Guo transport Founder ) Net worth, Biography, Cars". Anambra people magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  11. ^ "Students Urged To Aspire To Greater Heights". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  12. ^ "Commentary: Conferment Of Chieftaincy Title On Dr. Chukwuemeka Okeke". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  13. ^ "GUO Transport - About US - Biography". www.guotransport.com. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  14. ^ "Chief Okeke, exchanging greetings with his father, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke shortly after his conferment as Ikemba Di Ugwu Anaocha – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  15. ^ "Mix Of Culture, Philanthropy At Anaocha's New Yam Festival – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  16. ^ a b "Foundation donates buildings to deaf school in Anambra - Inclusive News Network". 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  17. ^ vanguard (2019-06-19). "How civil war brought me into transportation - G. U. Okeke". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  18. ^ Bridge, The Head (2022-03-01). "The Lifestyle Of The Billionaire, G.U. Okeke". The Head Bridge. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  19. ^ "GUO Transport - About US - Biography". guotransport.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  20. ^ a b c Jeremiah, Urowayino (2019-06-17). "GUO challenges youths to go into agriculture". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  21. ^ "Our History". RISE Clinic Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  22. ^ "Dormitory Facility, Classroom Block For Physically Challenged Students Of Odoakpu Central School Onitsha Dedicated". Heartbeat Of The East. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  23. ^ Nwafor (2024-07-17). "Philanthropist builds digital classrooms for PLWDs in Anambra". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  24. ^ Toni (2022-07-25). "Godwin Ubaka Okeke (Guo transport Founder ) Net worth, Biography, Cars". Anambra people magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-04.

 This article incorporates text by Anambra People Magazine available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

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