Nigerian-born US business mogul declares for Senate seat

KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Nigerian-born US business mogul declares for Senate seat

ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Armed with the knowledge of the uncharted political terrain of Nigeria, Chief Victor Ide Okoye makes an enviable political foray in Nigeria. Victor Okoye declares his intention to run for the Anambra North Senatorial seat currently occupied by Senator Joy Emodi. The Anambra North senatorial Zone is comprised of the following local government areas: Awka North, Awka South, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Anaocha, Idemili North, and Idemili South.

Okoye feels that the allocation to his constituency does not get to the people who needed the resources most. One of his reasons to run for the office is to correct the malady. “My ultimate goal is to first and foremost help the good people of Anambra state,” Chief Okoye averred. “I will make sure that the shared allocation of his constituency gets to the state as and when due,” he promised.

Sir Victor Ide Okoye wants to make sure that Nigeria does not go back to the old corrupt ways of doing business; fighting corruption is the centerpiece of his senatorial campaign. He touted the good job the president is doing to curb corruption and pledged his unwavering support to fight against corruption with President Obasanjo. Also, Sir Victor Ide Okoye thinks that it is paramount that President Obasonjo is doing a profound job in both private and public sectors, especially in all his reform programs to have dividends of democracy readily available to the citizens of Nigeria. Chief Okoye promises to continue with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s effort in fixing the bruised international image of our country; he wants Nigeria to attract more foreign investment to the country. Having lived in American since his teen years, he thinks he is better equipped with the arsenal needed to improve Nigeria’s image abroad and attract foreign investors. Ide okoye has studied the way American legislative process works and he thinks that gives him a leg up as far as legislative experience is concerned.

He is assuring people of Anambra that if he is elected, he will make sure that they would have access to the basic infrastructures such as clean drinking water, steady flow of electricity supply, including ensuring that all federal roads in the state are up to date. He promises to help the private sectors create jobs; creating jobs has been a major problem confronting Nigeria’s economy as a whole. Chief Okoye said, “As an employer of labor for over 15 years in America, creating job comes natural to me”. He promised, “Once I am sworn in as a Senator, I will embark on an unemployment eradication program in Nigeria, especially in Anambra state.”

He continued, “As my campaign begins, I feel energized by a community that has shown me support and has shared with me their needs and desires. We must unite as a community to face the ever-changing challenges that lie ahead. We must understand that we need to go back home and get involved. To stay back in the United States and complain all we want is no longer an option. The only option for me now is to get involved, and become a senator and help alleviate the plight of my people. I feel blessed and I think it is time for me to give back to the society that has given me a lot, and this means rolling up my sleeves and doing all that it takes.”

I believe that because of the life I have lived and the challenges I have overcome many obstacles, I can be the voice that the people in my constituency, Anambra North, and my people here in the United States need at this critical time. I promise to be that voice and that person to make that change,” he pledged.

The Candidate

Ide-Okoye, a self-made man, a Poet, and a Public Speaker, enjoys traveling, watching boxing, American football, documentaries, and meeting people.

Sir Victor Ide Okoye has a flair for motivating and inspiring people to accomplish and excel in their pursuit for a better life. Ide has a passion for empowering people, especially the downtrodden, women and youth. As business magnate, politician, philanthropist, and public speaker, he preaches self-enterprise as the key to economic and social empowerment of people. Drawing from his vast experiences, which include running a multi-million dollar employment agency that he started 15 years ago, Chief Okoye emphasized on self-responsibility. Chief Okoye said, “I own chains of real estate businesses both in United States and Nigeria; I also own a multi-million dollar employment agency in Boston area.”

Chief Ide Okoye is compassionate. “My love for people and his willingness to help people bagged me the nickname of 'The Youngest Millionaire' by Dr. Oliver De Coque,” he said. “I’m married with three kids. My wife is a well respected criminal defense attorney in Boston, Massachusetts, and she is the proprietor of Law Office of Ogor Winnie Okoye in Boston, Massachusetts, United State of America.”

Chief Ide Okoye attended NorthEastern University in Boston, and University of Phoenix, Greater Boston Campus. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Business Management. He is currently studying Law at William Howard University Law School and is a candidate for a juris doctorate degree (JD) in 2008.

Victor Ide Okoye is the President and CEO of Labor Mass USA Inc, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KJV Group of Companies, Chief Executive Officer of ExImport Corporation Incorporated; Chairman and CEO of Ide-Real Estate Investment LTD.

Ide-Okoye has extensive business and management experience, and had successfully started three previous businesses before his current business adventures. He was the first Nigerian-born American in Boston Massachusetts to own and operate an independent gas Station. He is a philanthropist. “I’m a board member to many corporations in United States of America, and Nigeria,” Chief Okoye offered.

Chief Ide Okoye has provided consultancy services to small business development start-ups and other medium business owners about dealing with planning and management problems to maximize their bottom line. Sir Ide Okoye employees about 150 people in his corporation, and his office is a starting point to every Nigerian who arrives in Boston, Massachusetts. He has helped thousands of Nigerians by offering them their first job in America. He is definitely a pillar in the Boston community. Ide is very involved in the Boston community in Massachusetts where he has lived since his teen years.

Chief Sir Victor Ide Okoye hails from Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government in Anambra State, Nigeria. He is a founding member of Umuoji Improvement Union United State and Canada (UIU); Founding House Master of People’s Club of Nigeria Boston Branch USA; A Notary Public; A member of Lynn Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce; A member of American Staffing Association and Business Advisory Council to United State of America Republican Party; and a member of Knight of Columbus.

Sir Ide Okoye is the Chairman of PDP USA Boston Branch, the ruling party in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and former Committee Chairman PDP USA Government Relations. His decision to go to Nigeria to run for an office is an encouragement to some people in the Diaspora who would like to follow his footsteps.