Engr. Dr. Okezie Akwiwu Honoured as ‘distinguished Captain of Human Capacity Development (chcd)’

By Chinedu Max Egere (mnge)…

The highest honour was on Tuesday 27th of September, 2026 bestowed on a Nigerian by Imo Unity Forum(IUF). That person was on the 9th of November, 1967, born into the Akwiwu family in Ogwuaga Abba in Nwangele Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria.

No doubt, that there were signs that indicated that the boy named Okezie, would grow into greatness.

After his primary education, Okezie Chikere Akwiwu proceeded to Federal Government College, Kano where he obtained his West African Examination Certificate in 1984, the same year he got admission to study Mechanical Engineering in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and rounded off with 2nd Class Honours, Upper Division.

The “Lion” would later travel to London in the UK in 1991 to enroll in Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Middlesex University Business School where he made a distinction in 1992.

It is not surprising that he became a successful Engineer and an Entrepreneur reputed for 34 years exposure and experience in the operations and management of dynamic firms engaged in engineering procurement and technical services in the oil and gas industry.

Engr. Okezie Akwiwu has proven himself in global standards as a highly motivated and committed industrialist with sound business and strategic skills and has his onions for working effectively at all levels in team spirit.

In summary, he was the pioneer Managing Director of Hyderco UK Ltd between 1993 and 2000, a company where he later became the Chairman from 2000 to 2017.

Currently, he is the Chairman and Group Managing Director of HY Group comprising of Hyprops Asset Management Ltd., an investment company with interests in various Fintechs in Nigeria and beyond; Hyprops Nigeria Ltd, ENG Rypac Ltd and ENG Rypac Mozambique Ltd. These companies have been successfully operating globally for years till date.

He is also a Chairman of Oceaneering Services Nigeria Ltd a joint venture with Oceaneering of the USA.  

Additionally, he is a director of PCE Nigeria Ltd, a company that is a world leader in horizontal directional drilling and recently achieved the two largest and most critical river crossings of the river Nigeria on the AKK and OB 3 Projects for NNPC Ltd.  

Engr. Okezie belongs to some professional bodies among which include Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers; Nigerian Society of Engineers; Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria; Institute of Directors and others.

He became a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) in 2008 and has been honoured with several awards and recognitions such as Shell Petroleum Development Corporate HSE, Milestone Award in 2014; Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion/Diocese of Orlu – Archepiscopal Award of Excellence and Management in 2019; Industrial Training Fund Special Recognition for Prompt Compliance 2017/2018; Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd. Safety Performance Award in 2019; Fellow, Nigeria Society of Engineers in 2023; Doctor of Technology (Honourary Award) by the Federal university of Technology, Owerri in 2023 and today, 27th of October, 2026, the same man will have another award added to all these in recognition of his great services.

His charitable and philanthropic roles have distinguished him in communities, churches, colleges, higher institutions and the society.

The Ogwuaga Abba born Technocrat is a trustee of St. Stephen’s Educational Foundation which produces support to indigent students and regular monthly stipends to widows. These, he has for years done silently to the glory of God.  

His key hobbies include reading current affairs walking; aerobics, swimming and travelling which is evidenced upon the fact that he has travelled to about 40 countries in the World and soon, he might visit the moon and some spaces. If Imo State has his likes twice, the rest will be history.

 Engr. Okezie Akwiwu on Tuesday, 27th of October, 2026 received his award of honour as a ‘Distinguished Captain of Human Capacity Development’ from Imo Unity Forum(IUF) being the first in Nigeria to receive the award.

With the powers and authority bestowed on the delegation of the Imo Unity Forum(IUF) by the Trustees and the apex Leadership of Imo Unity Forum (IUF), Dr. Okezie Akwiwu FNSE was asked to come fort for the award amidst a mammoth crowd after which his name shall henceforth bear the suffix of (CHCD)

This was contained in the profile of Engr.Dr. Okezie Akwiwu prepared by Imo Unity Forum(IUF) which was read at the occasion by a Media Relations Practitioner and former chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Chief Dr. Fidel Onyeneke.  

In his speech at the event, the national President of the Imo Unity Forum(IUF)Professor Promise Onyewuchim which was read out by Hon. Udo Agoha, (Esq) former Commissioner For Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Petroleum…. Thus 

‘A decision was taken at the enlarged executive meeting of the Imo Unity Forum (IUF) which was held in Abuja, the Federal Capital City on the 9th of May, 2026. What was that crucial decision?; One may ask.

‘A thorough research was made concerning a certain man of valour and pedigree who for upwards of 30 years has operated silently and has achieved tremendously with huge records in academics, entrepreneurship, business, global links, charity, philanthropy and endowments.

‘His significant milestone in Communities, Churches, Colleges, Higher Institutions in the Local Government Areas, States, Nigeria, Africa and the World at large with his immense contributions carry positive impacts that will span with memories.

‘His ceaseless interventions in aiding the less privileged, indigent widows, the needy and others have inevitably become immeasurable in history.  

‘Our investigations were stemmed from many News reports and articles on this special personality many of which written by one Chinedu Max Egere, member national executive council of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) about his election by his community in respect of their royal stool and on his recent donation and endowment of the building of FUTO Institute of Erosion Studies where a renowned academic, Prof. Frank Ojiako is the Director.  

‘In those news report and articles, we got wind of the information that this great mind has also employed some FUTO graduates of Engineering in some of his companies.

‘Before I disclose the name of this rare gem, let me make a brief remark about Imo Unity Forum (IUF). It is a Non-Governmental and Non-Political organization with like- minds as her members. It was formed in 2014 with the key objective as to promote unity and progress among the Imo people towards socio-cultural cum economic developments.

‘Having our members from all the 27 local government areas in the state some who are in diaspora, Abuja, Lagos, Jos and almost all the states of the Federation we are focused on Imo people moving on progressively in their areas of endeavour in genuine unity and to ensure good governance in the state.

‘Our members are men and ladies of substance in different fields of endeavour, academic community, business, entrepreneurs, legal profession, media, Medical Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering and others.

‘Records have shown that over 15 years, our prestigious Award recipient has through his companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility Programme recruited more than 100 unskilled personnel who were trained in different areas as well as deployed to his various projects offshore or onshore with his clients, some of which include NNPCL Exploration and Production Ltd; Nigeria LNG Ltd, Chevron Ltd. and others.

‘Yes, Imo unity Forum is aware of his silent nature not wanting his good and kind gestures to be made public but, we became compelled to ‘tear the mask’ to expose the soothing countenance of joy by selecting him to be the first Nigerian to receive the special award – as — DISTINGUISHED CAPTAIN 0F HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT (CHCD)

‘The name of this great man is ENGR. OKEZIE CHIKERE AKWIWU FNSE and in him we are well pleased.

‘The award would only serve as a motivational grid to his great works even as we pray that God Almighty would continue to give him strength and Fortress.

‘After receiving the award, this great son of Amato village in Ogwuaga-Abba would become one of the patrons of Imo Unity Forum (IUF) and we shall be glad to have some of his slots yearly to be going for the pilgrimage in Israel, which our records show that he has been doing so to many Christians silently for years up till now’’ 

Testimonies largely came from many more people of Nwangele Local Government Area who expressed joy reeling out his huge records of charity, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship at the event which was anchored by Zandas Okeke, (Otigba) Chairman, NIPR, Imo state and a manager in Hot FM, owerri.

The plaque was presented to the recipient by Hon. Udo Agoha Esq, former commissioner while the certificate was presented by Hon Chief Sunny Ndubuaku.