Owelle Gilbert Prince Obiajulu Chikelu Clocks 90 years Old Today

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The personality of Owelle, Gilbert Prince Obiajulu Chikelu turns ninety years old today 30th September, 2020.

Owelle Gilbert Prince Obiajulu Chikelu was born on 9th September, 1930. He was educated at St. Peters Church Missionary Society School, Enugu; College of the Immaculate Conception, Enugu University College, Legon; London School of Economic and political Science, University of London: and central School of planning and statistics, Warsaw, Poland.

On return to Nigeria in 1963 he joined the federal Civil Service. He was appointed a federal Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and power on 3rd October 1975 and served as permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Economic Development, National Planning, Employment, Labour and productivity and petroleum Resources for a total period of Sixteen years a very rare accomplishment in the Federal Civil Service.

In 1992 he was appointed Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Subsequently appointments includes Honourable Minister of establishments and management services, Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and wages Commission, a position he held for eight years.

Other important positions held by Owelle Chikelu are: Chairman, Joint Planning Board, Chairman, National provident fund, Chairman, National Labor Advisory Council, Member, National Economic Advisory Council, Member National Directorate of Employment, Member, Utility Tariff Review Commission and Member, National Committee on Ecological Problems.

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His public service career include the formulation and implementation of four National Development plans, the establishment of the economic community of West African States, the establishment of the National Directorate of Employment, the reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and a significant improvement in the salaries and allowances of public servants.

Owelle Chikelu also served Nigeria creditably in the international arena. For many years he represented Nigeria as alternate Governor at the Annual General Meetings of the World Bank and the international Monetary Fund. He was a member of the Governoring Council of the United Nations Institute for Economic Development and Planning.

Chairman of the Conference of African Planners, Governor for Nigeria at the International Atomic Energy Agency and Vice Chairman of the Governing Council of the Agency, Nigerian Delegate to many international meetings and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the joint commission meetings in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1983, among others to his credit.

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In recognition of his many years of meritorious service to the nation, the president, commander-in-chief of the armed forces conferred on him the prestigious National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in the year 2000.

Owelle Chikelu is a life member of the Nigeria Economic Society, NES a fellow of the society, and the society’s president in 1985. He is also a member of the Nigerian Insitute of International Affairs and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations- NIPR.

Owelle Chikelu holds the high Chieftaincy title of Owelle of Ichida conferred on him in 1991. Also conferred with the Chieftaincy title of owelle of Anaocha in 1997. In recognition of his services to the Anglican Church he was admitted to the Prestigious Order of Knight of St. Paul in 1996. Owellle Chikelu is also a recipient of the first Anglican Communion National Award for Integrity and Excellence.

Since his retirement from public Service he has served on the board of Directors of guaranty Trust Bank. During the period the bank has grown to become one of the top ranking banking institution in Nigeria. He later assumed position as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank.

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Owelle Chikelu is a widely travelled personality. Some of the countries he has visited include: United Kingdom. United States of America, Bermuda, Baharnas , Trinidad, Canada, Hong Kong, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Philippines, Switzerland, Curacao, Republic of Ireland, Colombia, Indonesia, Iran, Sweden, Denwark, France, USSR, Thailand, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Japan, Austria, Czechoslovkia, Ethopia, Niger, Togo, Ivory Coast, Republic of Benin, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon and Kenya.

Owelle Chikelu is happily married to Lady Irene Chikelu. They have four children, including the former Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu and twelve grand-children. He loves sports especially scoccer and enjoys good music and as time permits would dance to their various times. Happy 90th birthday to a towering personality epitomized by Owelle Gpo Chikelu, the Owelle of Ichida and Anaocha local Government area.

Scripted by Dennis Ekemezie
Chief Mmadubuoyibo N’ Anaocha Public Affairs Analyst on National and International Affairs

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