Applause As CIHRM Honours Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke with Fellowship Award

  By Genesis Ogiri | Abuja, Nigeria

In a remarkable celebration of leadership, service, and impact, the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management, Nigeria (CIHRM) has conferred its highest Fellowship (FCIHRM) on Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke, a towering figure in pastoral leadership, human capital development, and conflict resolution, during its annual congress held in Abuja.

The event, attended by seasoned professionals, scholars, policy influencers, and government stakeholders, was an affirmation of CIHRM's commitment to recognizing excellence in human resource management and national development.

The fellowship, according to the Institute, is awarded only to individuals whose lifelong work has made “extraordinary and enduring contributions to human progress through leadership, innovation, and professional distinction.” In bestowing this honor on Amb. Dr. Okeke, CIHRM has again spotlighted a man whose life work crosses borders—literally and figuratively—uniting faith, education, public administration, peacebuilding, and strategic leadership.

The conferment of the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management (FCIHRM) on Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke is more than an individual recognition—it is a national endorsement of integrity, excellence, and selfless service. In honoring a man whose life embodies visionary leadership, spiritual depth, and academic rigour, CIHRM has affirmed the values that must guide Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable development.

As the applause fades and the cameras dim, what remains is a legacy that continues to inspire—a reminder that true leadership is not about titles, but about impact, sacrifice, and a commitment to lifting others.

Indeed, Amb. Dr. Okeke’s story is Nigeria’s story at its best: one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of purpose. And with institutions like CIHRM recognizing such icons, the future of transformational leadership in Nigeria is not just hopeful—it is already unfolding.

Speaking exclusively with Newsway Media at the event held at the National Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke expressed profound appreciation to the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management for recognizing his track record of achievement, integrity, and national service. He described the Fellowship as both a milestone and a moral charge, pledging to continually uphold the ethical standards of leadership and contribute meaningfully to human resource development across Nigeria and beyond. “This honour strengthens my resolve to live out the values of transparency, excellence, and compassion in every sphere of leadership,” he stated.

Born in Nkwere Umudike Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Amb. Dr. Okeke’s journey is both humbling and inspiring. From modest beginnings in Ukpor, where he was educated at Umudike Central School and Community Secondary School, he began a lifelong mission of service, first as a schoolteacher and then as an entrepreneur, venturing into Maiduguri and Ndjamena, Chad Republic, before returning to Nigeria in the early 90s.

As part of his robust academic journey, Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke earned a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.Sc. Ed.) in Educational Management and Planning from Imo State University, Owerri. This qualification equipped him with critical skills in educational leadership, policy formulation, institutional planning, and administrative efficiency. His grounding in this discipline has played a pivotal role in shaping his impact as an educator, school administrator, and advocate for strategic reforms in Nigeria’s education sector. It also underscores his commitment to nurturing sustainable learning environments and driving capacity development across all levels of education.

His early career at Ideal Flour Mills Ltd., Kaduna, was abruptly redirected when he answered a spiritual call into full-time ministry in 1998—a turning point that would merge divine calling with disciplined leadership and intellectual pursuit.

Amb. Dr. Okeke’s academic path reflects an insatiable hunger for knowledge. He holds multiple diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theology, Public Administration, Education, and Leadership, with doctoral degrees in Christian Education, Administration, and Peace and Conflict Resolution. His scholarship spans top Nigerian and international institutions, including the International Christian University, Lagos, Kensington Business School, USA, and Liberal Bilingual University, Togo.

What sets Dr. Okeke apart is the breadth of his professional certifications, numbering over 40 in leadership, human resource management, educational development, artificial intelligence, conflict mediation, and peacebuilding. Institutions from Singapore to the USA, UK, and Nigeria have contributed to his holistic grooming.

His leadership footprints are found in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), where he served in various capacities, including Founding Chairman in Obowo LGA and later in Rivers State. He has also worked closely with law enforcement through community policing advisory roles, showing an uncanny ability to bridge civil society, religious institutions, and security agencies.

Currently, he serves as the Senior Pastor and Northern Regional Coordinator of The Master’s Vessel Ministry, while simultaneously leading multiple educational and leadership institutions including Capstone Innovative Consult, Zion Classical Victory Academy, and Castle Park University (Nigeria Rep Office).

Dr. Izukananne ’s awards cabinet is as diverse as it is distinguished—ranging from United Nations ECOSOC Peace Ambassador, African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassador, to Global Human Rights Activist. He holds multiple honorary doctorates and has been recognized across Africa, Europe, and the United States for his relentless work in peacebuilding, leadership training, and youth empowerment.

As a published author of eleven books, he contributes to local and international journals, offering insights into leadership, Christian education, social transformation, and conflict resolution.

The Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management, through this prestigious conferment, has once again demonstrated its resolve to uplift individuals who are not only professionals in theory but are transformational leaders in practice.

Speaking at the award presentation, CIHRM President commended Dr. Okeke’s "exceptional devotion to building human capital in Africa, fusing spirituality with service, and raising generations of leaders with conscience and character."

The applause from colleagues, friends, mentees, and dignitaries was a testament to the impact Amb. Dr. Okeke has made over the decades. His life, as one observer noted, is "a textbook on service—crafted with consistency, integrity, and unshakeable faith."

Reacting to the recognition, Dr. Izukananne expressed deep gratitude to the Institute and rededicated himself to national rebirth through education, peacebuilding, and spiritual renewal. “This award is not a trophy—it is a responsibility. A call to serve even more, to empower more people, and to uphold the values that can rebuild our nation and continent,” he said.

In the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s leadership and development journey, the recognition of Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke by the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management (CIHRM) stands as a powerful affirmation of the values the nation must continue to uphold—integrity, service, and visionary leadership.

Dr. Okeke’s life trajectory, marked by intellectual depth, spiritual maturity, and institutional impact, reflects the kind of leadership urgently needed in today’s Nigeria—one that balances technical competence with moral clarity. From education to ministry, from peacebuilding to administration, his multi-sectoral influence continues to empower lives and shape policy conversations at both community and national levels.

In a society grappling with moral erosion and leadership fatigue, Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke remains vital—a blend of wisdom, humility, and prophetic leadership. He is not only a national figure but a national asset—one whose voice, presence, and principles offer clarity in times of confusion, and direction in seasons of drift.

By honoring him, CIHRM has again proven its resolve to spotlight and celebrate individuals who personify excellence in leadership and service. As the nation continues its search for transformational change agents, Dr. Okeke’s example serves as a living testimony that leadership with conscience is not only possible—it is imperative.

Let this recognition inspire the next generation of Nigerian leaders to rise, serve, and lead with the same depth of purpose, breadth of knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the greater good.

The conferment of the prestigious Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management (CIHRM) on Amb. Dr. Izukananne Elkanah Okeke reaffirms his place as a respected national figure in leadership, education, and peace advocacy. His consistent record of service, both in the public and faith-based sectors, reflects a deep commitment to Nigeria’s development and the empowerment of its people.

This honour not only celebrates his past achievements but reinforces his role as a moral compass and a voice of integrity in a time when the nation urgently needs exemplary leadership. As he continues to serve with renewed purpose, Dr. Okeke stands as a symbol of what is possible when vision, values, and patriotism align.

The Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management, by recognizing such a credible national asset, has sent a powerful message—that Nigeria’s greatness lies in men and women who lead with conscience, character, and a commitment to the common good.

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For interviews, features, or official citations, contact Genesis Ogiri via: ogiri ogirigenesis7@gmail.com, 07035150623