Onuzulike Daniel Okonkwo

Who was Onuzulike Daniel Okonkwo?

Chief Onuzulike Daniel Okonkwo, (21 July 1931 – 9 August 2000 in Nnewi, Nigeria) was an administrator, diplomat, educator, and writer.

Chief Onuzulike Okonkwo had a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Social Sciences and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.[2] Additionally, he obtained the Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of London, England.[citation needed] After completion of his post graduate studies, Chief Okonkwo returned to Nigeria and subsequently became the first indigenous Principal of Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi, Nigeria.

Okonkwo was the first Chairman of the Nnewi Local Government (Onitsha Southern County Council “ORU – MBA – NISII” comprising Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, and Ogbaru Local Government Areas) from 1958 to 1963. His dynamism and achievements during his tenure of office earned him the Chieftaincy title of “Ozuo-Ome Nnewi” in 1981.

Onuzulike Okonkwo is the author of several books including History of Nigeria in a new setting: From the earliest time to 1964,[3] and The Improvement of Education in Nigeria.

Chief Okonkwo is an alumnus of several high level institutes including the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Nigeria in 1981, Royal Institute of Public Administration, Senior Management Course, London, England in 1977, and the Carnegie Institute in Diplomacy, Tanzania in 1965.

Until his retirement, Okonkwo was the Secretary for Finance and Administration in the Federal Ministry of Communication, Lagos, Nigeria. He previously served as First Secretary of the Nigerian High Commission in London, England.