| Victor Ochei | |
| Native Name: | Onyekachi |
| Birth Date: | 25 February 1969 |
| Birth Place: | Kano State, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Party: | People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) |
| Alma Mater: | University of Benin Chemical Engineering |
| Website: | www.victorochei.ng |
Victor Ochei is a former Nigerian Member of the House of Assembly from Ogbekenu in Onicha Olona Delta State. He was elected as Speaker for the Delta State House of Assembly on 6 June 2011, and as the representative of the Aniocha North constituency,[1] marking the commencement of the Fifth Assembly of the Delta State Legislature. He held the position of Primus Inter Pares of the Delta State Assembly for a period of two years and nine months before his resignation on 18 March 2014.
Ochei Victor Onyekachi was born on February 25, 1969, in Kano and hails from Onicha Olona in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.[2] Ochei attended Methodist Primary School and St. Thomas Secondary School in Kano. He later proceeded to the University of Benin, in Benin City, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. He then performed the mandatory one year National Youth Service at Ondo State.
Ochei has obtained certificates in good governance, effective legislation, and improving secondary school education from the Oxford University, the University of California, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He obtained a law degree from Delta State University. He also earned an MBA degree in 1996.[3] [4]
Ochei relocated to Asaba, the capital of Delta State. He then began his career in business by printing calendars and other memorabilia.[5]
Ochei also founded DavNotch Nigeria Limited, an engineering company.
On the political terrain, Ochei vied for a seat in power, and in 2003, he emerged the representative of Aniocha North Constituency and later, Deputy Minority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, on the platform of the United Nigerian People's Party (UNPP); a position held till 2006.In his second bid for elective office, he opted for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and got re-elected on the party's platform into the State Legislature. He became Chairman of the House Committee on Education until the end of the Fourth Assembly of the Delta State Legislature. He contested the 26 April 2011 election and was re-elected to the state legislature for a third term. He was elected by his colleagues as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
Ochei was the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), having served for 2 years and 9 months (6 June 2011 to 18 March 2014)—the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Delta State Assembly. As a member of the house, he has been elected three times as the representative of the Aniocha North constituency.[6] [7] [8]
Ochei earned the Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) for his contributions to the practice and development of engineering in the country in 2011. He is also a fellow at the Institute of African Studies (IAS) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.[9]
Ochei is an advocate of the maxim that views hard work and discipline as the key ingredients of success; his signature slogan is, "Hard work is the basic foundation for ensuring enduring success".[10] Ochei received various awards, including Awards of Excellence from organizations such as the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and an "Award of Merit" presented by the Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter).As State Assembly Speaker, Ochei is the longest-serving Speaker in the history of the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
He has received awards from Anioma Trends: Legislator of the Year in 2011-2012; Warri Development Platform: Best Speaker in Nigeria; Exceptional International Magazine: Exceptional Speaker of the Year; and was nominated for State Assembly Speaker of the Year 2013 for the Nigerian Legislative Excellence Awards.[11]
During the 2011 National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting at Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, he was awarded the distinguished Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) award, making him the youngest Nigerian engineer to attain such an award.[12]
Victor Ochei is also recognized for his educational achievements, with a special focus on inspiring and equipping young people with the tools of success. Some of the awards received in this category include: the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Meritorious Service Award; the Award of Excellence; the Fellowship of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka;[13] and the Worldwide Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA), which was presented at the 41st Founder’s Day Anniversary.[14] He has received an award for excellence from the Ogwashi-Uku Youth Development Association, been voted Patron of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (Delta State), and been named Grand Patron of the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF).[15] Victor Ochei is also the recipient of awards like the Promotion of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Award presented by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Custodian of Culture Award (Dance Nigeria Consult), the Gentleman Saint Award (De Saints International), the Golden Voice Award (Delta Project Movement), the Growth and Development of the Anioma People Award (Anioma Congress), the Ambassadors’ Award for Outstanding Performance (Ogwashi – Uku Cultural Organization), and the Niger Delta Achievers’ Merit Award.
Ochei is a patron of the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation and chairman of the Delta State Wrestling Association.[16]
In community service, Ochei is a donor to Rotary International and a member of the De Saints International Club.[17]
During his three (3) consecutive tenures as the Representative of the Aniocha North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Ochei has spearheaded many educational and infrastructural development projects within the constituency. One of the significant projects among these initiatives was the renovation, modernization, and provision of educational aids for 19 basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the Aniocha North Constituency.[20]
Victor O. Ochei holds traditional titles in Onicha-Olona, Onicha Ugbo, and Umuebu, which are recognized and celebrated by the communities.