The Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Awka Branch Engr. David Chizoba Okeke has been inducted into the prestigious Africa Leadership for Development and Humanitarian Service Hall of Fame (ALDHSHAF) Award for the year 2023, Isqil Najim writes.
Engr Dave Okeke, youngest Chairman of NSE Awka Branch, and indeed of NSE Branches, received the Award at the 2023 ALDHSHAF Award ceremony, held at Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja, on Saturday, November 25, 2023. He also emerged as the youngest awardee among other illustrious and distinguished personalities honoured at the ceremony. The Other awardees include Ambassadors, commissioners of police, DG, GM, Estate Surveyors, Professors, MD/CEOs.
Okeke responded with humility while appreciating the organizers for finding him worthy of the honour. He described the honour as a renewed call for increased humanitarian services. He pledged to maintain more focuses on development of young engineers, secondary science school children, and orphanages.
Colleagues and associates at the Nigerian Society of Engineers Akwa Branch poured encomium on the young leader and his impactful leadership. They noted that the ALDHSHAF Award underscores his exceptional contributions and sets him apart as a beacon of hope for future leaders. They added that Okeke’s journey is an inspiration within the engineering community as his story may motivate other aspiring young leaders to aim to reach greater heights through selfless services.
Last year, Engr. David Chizoba Okeke set a new record when he emerged as the youngest Chairman of a Nigerian Society of Engineers’ Branch.
Born to the family of Late Mr. and late Mrs. Anthony Okeke on the 29th April, 1987 from Umueze Amawbia, Awka South local Government Area, Anambra State, Okeke began his early education at Success Private School, Maiduguri, Borno State in 1991, from where he proceeded to Modern Private Secondary School, Maiduguri before he completed his high school at Government Technical College (GTC), Awka, Anambra State now Federal Technical Science College. 2002. He obtained a Diploma in Computer Studies in Data analysis in the year 2003 at Maiduguri, Borno State. He bagged his Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the year 2011.
Engr. Dave, as he is fondly called currently works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka under Works Services Department where he’d served in different capacities as a professional Engineer in civil design, analysis, survey inspections, maintenance and monitoring. As a result of his dedication, sound effective and efficient services delivery, he experienced a rapid proper placement promotion by the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. As a practising engineer, Engr. Dave Okeke has been involved in numerous private building infrastructure and road maintenance project in Anambra State.
Okeke’s leadership journey has seen him rise through the years to become the youngest Chairman of a Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Prior to this, He served as the Chairman Young Engineers Forum of Nigerian (YEFoN), NSE Awka Branch between 2017 and 2022, General Secretary, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Awka Chapter (2017-2020), Technical Secretary the Nigerian Society of Engineers Awka Branch (2018-2020), General Secretary the Nigerian Society of Engineers Awka Branch (2020-2022), Chairman, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Awka Chapter (2020-2022).
He has served in various National committees of the Nigerian Society of Engineers where his leadership shone brightly. Some of which are: National President Committee member on Engineering Technology & Innovation -2020/2021, National Committee member on Young Engineers Forum/Future leaders 2022.
His leadership footprint extends to local organtsations where has served and still serving various other organisations in varying capacities. Among such are: Chairman, committee on Officer Training School (OTS) NSE Awka Branch – 2019, Chairman, committee on National Engineering conference / AGM Kano 2019 – 2019, Chairman, committee on National Engineering Conference/AGM Abuja 2020 – 2020, Chairman, committee on Junior/Secondary Science/Maths Quiz competition – 2021, Chairman, committee on Group Dynamic 2020/2021 NSE Awka Branch – 2020/2021, Editorial-In-Chief, Journal of Inventive Engineering & Technology (JIET) NSE Awka
Branch 2022 till date, Chairman, committee on Investigative & Disciplinary, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, University (SSANU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Branch -2023 till date
Some of the awards he received are: Branch Chairman Award as most dedicated executive committee member -2019, Branch Chairman Award on effective service delivery executive member -2021, The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers Student Affiliate Southeast Zone -2022, The Nigerian University Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA) NAU -2023,
Engr. Dave Okeke is a Registered Engineer at the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Member of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), and the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), Member, International Association of Engineers (IAENG).
He is happily married to Mrs. Promise C. Okeke and the marriage is blessed with promising
children.
