Friends and associates of renowned technocrat, Mr. Christopher Ucheobi, have joined his family to pay him glowing tributes on the occasion of his 51st birthday anniversary today.
In special messages monitored on diverse social media platforms, Mr. Ucheobi has been described as Nwanne di na mba, humanist, leader and patriot as friends and beneficiaries of his celebrated generousity continue to thank God for his life.
An astute administrator and resource manager with over 25 years’ experience in advertising, marketing, oil and gas, e-payment solutions, logistics and farming, Christopher Ahamefula Ucheobi was born on 29th August 1971 to the family of Late Nze Christopher Afokwalam Ucheobi and Mrs. Roseline Chiawuotu Ucheobi of Umuochi-Okpuala, Emeabiam, in Owerri-West Local Government Area of Imo State.
He attended China Town Primary School, Asata, Enugu where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and subsequently passed the National Common Entrance examination into secondary school with amazing distinction, securing admission into two prestigious schools – College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu and Government Secondary School Owerri. He opted for Government Secondary School Owerri – a decision he considers one of the best he ever made.
In 1989, he gained admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka to study political science and graduated in 1994. He did his National Youth Service in Benue State in 1995 where he was deployed for his primary assignment to Gboko Local Government Council. During his NYSC period, his exceptional leadership attributes were observed by his Zonal Coordinator who appointed him to replace the Corps Liaison Officer of the batch before his. On assumption of duty as the CLO for Gboko Local Government Council, he toured all the places of primary assignment of Corps members serving in Gboko, to build a strong employer and employee relationship for his colleagues. He initiated and executed many community development projects with the full support of his corps members and the NYSC management in Gboko.
Following the successful completion of his National Youth Service, Chris Ucheobi started his work career in Lagos in 1996 with an advertising agency where he gained lots of experience in outdoor advertising, product promotion and marketing. He later joined Bicu Organization, a company with vast interest in personal care products marketing. During his period with Bicu Organization, he exhibited effective leadership skills and lead the team to surpass all their sales records over the years of existence of the company. He also established an outdoor sales and marketing unit for the company to boost sales. During his time as the Marketing Coordinator of the company, many notable personal care products were introduced into the market, aggressively marketed and eventually became market leaders in their respective market segments.
In a complete switch of employment and industry, Chris Ucheobi moved into the Oil & Gas industry by joining Nestoil Limited in October 2000 where he acquired tremendous experiences in different areas of operation in the industry. At Nestoil, he played key roles in assets accountability and maintenance management, supply chain and operations management, contract administration, transport & logistics, marine fleet management and project management. During this period, he was a member of the executive management team of Nestoil Limited and held several managerial and senior executive positions such as Senior Manager, Asset Management; Assistant General Manager, Asset Management and Operations; DGM, Operations; and General Manager, Asset Management, Maintenance and Marine Operations
In March 2017, Chris was appointed the first Managing Director of White Dove Shipping Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Nestoil Group saddled with the responsibility of crude oil transfer from OML 42 various production fields to Ugo Ocha Terminal – 17 nautical miles off Escravos offshore. This crude barging by tanker vessels, termed the alternative crude evacuation strategy for Neconde Energy/NPDC JV partners, was an extremely challenging undertaking. To the credit of his proficiency and commitment to duty, Chris expertly managed the operations for over two years, leading to increased crude production and successful scheduled export operation for the OML 42 Asset JV partners.
In July 2019, Chris Ucheobi was redeployed from White Dove Shipping Company Limited to IMPAC O&M Engineering Limited another subsidiary of the Group where he played a dual role as the Managing Director of the subsidiary and GM in charge of Community Affairs and Security for the Group.
As an executive management team member of Nestoil Group, Chris Ucheobi was privileged to serve as a member of the group’s executive committee (EXCO) and Group Tenders Board committee (GTB) saddled with responsibilities of making investment, financial and procurement decisions at different levels for the Group’s business. He also served as a board member of B&Q Dredging Limited and Jeepec Aluminum Company Limited all subsidiaries of the Group.
After 20 years of meritorious service, Christopher Ahamefula Ucheobi exited from the Nestoil Group in October 2020 and ventured into personal private business. He is currently a Director in Shago Payments Limited, CEO/MD of Stricot Investment Limited, Director in Tricott Farms Limited, and CEO/MD of Stricot Logistics Solutions Limited.
Chris Aham Ucheobi holds a master’s degree in Supply Chain and Operations Management from the University of Liverpool, UK and currently running a PhD programme in Transportation Technology Management. He is a Fellow of the Charted Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), a chartered member of The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT), a member of The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and a chartered member of the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) UK.
He has attended many professional leadership and executive management courses organized by reputable international institutions across the world. He is an Alumnus of the University of Manchester Business School, UK; Metropolitan School of Business Management, Dubai – UAE; Lloyds Maritime Academy UK and Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. He has been voluntarily honoured with various awards and recognitions, including the exclusive Merit Award from the Old Boys’ Association of Government Secondary School, Owerri.
Beyond his excellent academic feats and his sterling professional accomplishments, Chris Ucheobi has, over the years, established himself as a consistent humanist, an uncompromising ambassador of conscience and a passionate flag-bearer of peace anchored on the principles of justice. His sense of altruism knows no boundaries and, remarkably, he never seeks to draw attention to himself but simply to deliver selfless, superior values to human development.
He is married to a beautiful and precious Amazon, Mrs. Uche Aham Ucheobi and they are blessed with two gifted children Ijeoma Princess Ucheobi and Ebubechukwu Richie Ucheobi who are both currently pursuing careers in Medicine and Surgery.
Chris is highly respected as an accomplished man who has paid his dues at the five cardinal stations of human endeavour – family, alma mater, place of worship, professional career and community service.
His birthday has become, not just a day of celebrations, but one for sober reflections on what needs to be done to further uplift society.
The Editorial Team of Ojemba Magazine joins everyone in wishing him a very pleasant birthday anniversary and God’s continued blessings.
