By Tony Manuaka
There is no better way to describe Ikenna Kevin Okafor (Ide Akwaeze) other than a man of the people. Born November 14, 1972 in Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Okafor graduated from the University of Calabar in 1992 with a Second Class Upper in Chemistry. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degrees in Entrepreneurial Innovation and Business Management by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Coal City University respectively.
He is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Port Harcourt-based Kevs Global Leasing Limited; Arthur Services Limited; and Kevs Inn & Suites. He is also the Chairman of 9 Payment Service Bank as well as a director in Sophike Medical Centre and Unizik Business School. Okafor is a quintessential giver. To his credit are the building of a Library Complex at the Peter University Achina-Onneh; Tennis Court and Club House, Nigeria Army Port Harcourt; Marian Grotto at St. Gregory Church, Akwaeze; a total renovation of Community Primary School, Akwaeze, renovation, fencing and computerization of Community Secondary School, Akwaeze, and St. Michael Primary School in the same Anambra community.
He donated N100 million to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Business School. He is also a major donor to Tansi Seminary Chapel. The current outlay in the foundation is over N700 million. He sponsored 37 graduates in Nigerian universities and two overseas graduates. He is Life Vice-President, Professional Golf Association of Nigeria and the biggest tournament sponsor as of now.
Okafor also renovated Ezenebo Primary School, Akwaeze and built 15 extension flats for Corporal and below; and Medical Reception facility for the Nigeria Army in Port Harcourt. In Ogun State, he carried out a major renovation of the Ave Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ijebu-Ode. In Anambra, he built a 150-capacity dormitory for students at Community High School, Akwaeze.
It was for a demonstrable commitment to the service of God and humanity that Okafor was conferred with Papal Knight of Saint Sylvester by Pope Francis in April 2017. He has given various sums of money to many churches: St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze; St. Anthony Parish, Nanka; Church of Assumption, Awka; St. Gregory Church, Akwaeze, among others.
Other philanthropic gestures are the purchase of complete musical equipment set for St. Michael, Akwaeze; Provision of complete public address system for Queen of the Apostle Church, Port Harcourt; Procurement of 40KVA generator for St. Michael Parish, Akwaeze; Institution of the N250 million Nzekwuabuo Foundation in 2014 to take care of the indigent including 60 primary school pupils, 30 secondary school students, 12 university students and 15 widows.
Okafor championed the construction of the ultra-modern Akwaeze Civic Centre. He sponsors Seminarians through the Holy Ghost Congregation since 2006; and one diocesan seminarian in Awka Diocese since 2021. He contributed towards the Ihioma Civic Centre Complex and donated towards community development. He also donated 18 cars to the clergy.
In sports development, Okafor is the president and a major sponsor of Kodian Tennis Foundation, an academy that has produced tennis players for Nigeria. He has also been sponsoring the Rivers State Football Amateur league; Zonal Tennis Championship in Rivers State since 2018; Secondary School Swimming Competition in Rivers State since 2016 and many more.
For his passion to give back to the society, he is The Sun Humanitarian Service Icon Award winner.