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Chief Dr. Simon Nsobundu Okeke is a man of meritorious service, who has demonstrated exceptionally outstanding achievement or service in public service. He is, among other things, the pioneer chairman of Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC).
On July 3, 2026, a prestigious glittering diadem was placed on his worthy head at the Faculty of Law, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). He was presented an award of excellence by the institution.
The high-profile event, held at Hollywood Event Center, Awka, the capital of Anambra State, recognized Chief Okeke’s decades of meritorious public service, structural reforms in the Nigerian police ecosystem and his lifelong commitment to justice, equity and societal development.
The ceremony was marked by a distinguished gathering of academics, legal luminaries and government officials, including Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha (FNIPR), the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, who hosted the event as part of her ongoing “3Vs” mission (Values, Viability and Visibility) for the institution.
The Chief Judge of Anambra State presented a strong judicial endorsement of the ceremony, underscoring the deep connection between legal academia and public service accountability.
It was a celebration of a legacy of leadership. Okeke, widely revered by his traditional title: Ochendo, has left an indelible mark on Nigerian public administration.
Serving as the Executive Chairman of the Police Service Commission from 2001 to 2006 under the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, he is credited with pioneering institutional oversight, driving recruitment standards, and advocating tirelessly for civil accountability within the police force.
During the award presentation, speakers praised Ochendo for his unwavering integrity, his contributions to estate management as a foundational figure in Nigeria’s real estate sector and his outspoken advocacy for regional equity and inclusive national governance.
“This award represents more than a token of appreciation; it is a testament to a lifetime spent building structures of justice and institutional integrity in Nigeria. Chief Okeke’s legacy remains a guiding light for our law students and the nation at large.”
The prominent members, professors, and student executives from the COOU Faculty of Law said the recognition highlights the university’s commitment to honoring national icons whose lives align with the values of the legal profession – justice, leadership, and unwavering service to humanity.
Someone wrote: “This piece goes beyond the mere celebration of a man whose age is as intimidating as his genuineness, to a deep reflection on a life that has impacted many individuals and the nation in decisive and unobtrusive ways. Okeke is not, and has never been, obtrusive. No, He has not! His influence is real. That influence has also always been for the good. That is why the meaning and impact of his life at any point in time always transcended the banal standards that so many people rush after these days.
“His years and his influence extends far beyond personal achievements into spheres where he does not try to stand forth and claim credit. At 90 years of age, we can speak of longevity. We can also speak of influence, especially considering the cross-generational effects of his life, as representing continuity between generations.
His distinguished professional career, within and outside the country, has made him a bridge between the local and the international in his chosen profession. His standing in his community, his various traditional titles and the many roles he has played in connecting Igbo values and Igbo leadership, Igbo tradition and modernity, testify to the enduring power of a man of character.
“In celebrating him, all those who came out for the aforementioned events were also celebrating a representative of most of the values our society desperately needs now in order to be on the right track again in order to return to sustainability.”
Okeke was conferred with an ECOWAS Award for his leadership role in business and profession.
