THE MAN HON. FELIX EHIGUESE AKHABUE JP. aka JOEFEL
“Executive Summary:”.
Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue aka JOEFEL was born into the family of Akhabue of Ukpenu, Ekpoma, Political Ward-7 in Esan West LGA of Edo state on 6th of July in the year of our Lord 1967.
Felix began his Primary Education at Ogbomoide Primary School, Iruekpen-Ekpoma between 1973-1978, and later went on to complete his primary education at the Central Primary School, Iruekpen-Ekpoma between 1978-1979.
“Godsent” as he was named and mainly called then by his maternal family, friends and people around him then, went on for his Secondary Education at Iruekpen Grammar School, Ekpoma between 1980-1986, and later went on to complete his Secondary Education at Okene Secondary School, Kogi state in 1988.
Joefel as he was later Popularly known got admitted into the famous Edo State University, Ekpoma to study Accountancy in 1990 where He graduated and earned the B.Sc Accounting in 1995. In his quest for Higher Degree, Felix went ahead to study for Masters degree at the same University which was now changed to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and graduated with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) between 1997-2001.
In Joefel’s quest for professionalism, he enrolled and became a member of the famous Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 1995, Corporate Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators in the same 2005, and also, an Associate Member of The Institute of Chartered Economics of Nigeria in 2007.
During this period, Felix ventured into so many different trades, including bike (Okada) riding, buying and selling of eggs, and later went into rubber buying and selling all through the nooks and crannies of Esan land, Uhumwode LGA, and parts of Owan. All these were to make ends meet as he was faced with the vicissitudes of life after losing his father at a very tender age of 8 days old and he was almost all for himself to push through.
On completion of his first Degree in 1995, Joefel went on for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and had his Primary Assignment with the “Ahead Marine Company Ltd, in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria as an Accountant. Before then, He had a stint of work experience with Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd as a technical staff between 1987-1989.
*JOEFEL AS A TECHNOCRAT*
Hon. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue founded the -Joefel-Supreme Multilinks Ltd in Ekpoma.
– Ehibue Farms Ltd, Ekpoma
– Supreme Hotels Ltd in Ekpoma and Benin City.
– Supreme Place Innovation Concept Ltd, Abuja.
– Supreme Hotels Ltd, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Suffix all to note that Hon. Akhabue founded this thriving and flourishing chain of businesses which have survived every societal harsh economic challenge and reality over the years, and have grown steadily with over 300 full staff strength in his employment, and he remains the Chief Executive Officer till Date.
*JOEFEL AS A POLITICIAN*
In 2007, Hon. Akhabue contested and was elected to become the Executive Chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, this position he held till 2010 when the council was abruptly dissolved by the then state government. During this period of 2-years and 10-months in office, the council recorded unprecedented development in infrastructure and human capital development. Some of the infrastructure included the new ultra modern council secretariat building from scratch to completion, the Construction to completion of the popular G-2 Road, Ezekiel School of Theology Road, And together with Esan Central LGC co-sponsored the construction of Illeh-Irrua Road. Others include the construction from foundation to completion and equipping of ultra modern comprehensive health centers at Ukpenu toad by the high court, another in Emaudo, Ujoelen, and Uhiele. Completion of Ihumudumu, Iruekpen, Ujiogba, Ogwa, and Ukhun primary health care centres.
The council during this short period constructed so many blocks of Classrooms with furnitures in so many Primary Schools, constructed perimeter fences in some of these schools like the Ukpenu, Emuhi and Eguare primary schools among others, also, the completion & handed over of the Library Complexes in Eguare and Iruekpen Ekpoma that was almost abandoned by successive regimes in the council to the state government. Also, the Customary Court in Ekpoma was constructed from scratch to completion, and renovated the High Court of Justice building in Ekpoma including its perimeter fencing. Two industrial Boreholes at Ekpoma by the high court and at Ogwa were constructed during this period. A brand new pay loader was purchased for the Local Government Council to enhance environmental cleaning and other earth work needs of the council. Also, a skill acquisition centre was constructed and furnished at the Police Barrack Road, by the Customary Court and the Library in Ekpoma. All these projects and many others were commissioned before the dissolution of the tenure.
The Council during this period ensured that the earth roads across the LGA were constantly graded and made passable by the citizens, and also opened up access roads to some villages like Ebute-Ujogba. Under Joefel’s tenure, the council gave Bursary to indigent students that were qualified for the Nigeria Law School, community heads both Men and Women were put on monthly stipends from the LGC, Security of lives and properties were prioritised in the very busy University town of Ekpoma and other Communities in the LGA, new Abattoirs were constructed both in Uhiele, Ujoelen, and Eguare- Ekpoma new market.
The nearly abandoned Emuhi and Urohi Electrification projects were sponsored and completed by the Council, and were commissioned by Hon Felix Akhabue. These and many other milestones were archived by the council under Joefel’s Administration.
Between 2008-2010, Hon. Joefel was elected as Chairman Association of Local Governments in Nigeria, ALGON Edo state. During this period, He was also elected and served as the National Publicity Secretary of ALGON.
Between 2010-2012, Hon. Joefel was elected and served as the National President of ALGON.
Between 2010-2012, Hon. Felix was elected and served as the President, United Cities and Local Governments of West Africa, and vice President, United Cities and Local Governments of Africa.
Between the same 2010-2012, the emerging Leader was elected and served as a Member, Executive Bureau, United Cities and Local Governments, World wide.
Between the same 2010-2012, Joefel was elected and served as a Board Member, Commonwealth Local Governments Forum in London.
Between 2012-2014, Joefel was elected & served as the First Vice President, World Conference of Mayors.
Also, between 2010-2012, the Leader Joefel was elected Board Member, The infrastructure Bank Plc, Central Business Area in Abuja.
Hon. Felix was also selected and served as a delegate representing the 774 LGA in Nigeria to the 2014 National Conference, in Abuja.
Between 2012-2021, Joefel served in the Board of Uda Micro Finance Bank Ltd, and later elected as the Chairman, Uda Micro Finance Bank Ltd from 2021 till date, and the Bank is Experiencing a huge turn around to greater successes and even becoming a strong competitor to the established commercial banks in the area.
Between 2012 till date, Joefel served as a member, Board of Trustees of the Association of Local Government Areas (ALGON) till date.
Again, Joefel was appointed and served as the commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment in Edo state between July 2019-Nov. 2020.
*JOEFEL’S LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES*
As a Local Government Council Chairman, Joefel was privileged to work with three (3) different Governors in Edo state; first, with His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Prof. O. A. Osunbor, and later with His. Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshomhole, and He enjoyed a very cordial relationship with both of them.
Again, as a Commissioner under His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Joefel had the privilege of working under three Consecutive and successive Governors in Edo State from across different political parties without blemish, and it was a success story which further afforded him higher Leadership Experiences
As the ALGON Chairman in Edo State, Joefel had the opportunity to work and Lead the other Seventeen (17) LGC Chairmen in the state, and he enjoyed a very cordial and robust relationship with all of them even till date.
As the National Publicity Secretary and later the National President of ALGON in Nigeria, Joefel had the opportunity to work and Lead the Council Chairmen of the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
Also, as the ALGON National President, He had the privilege of working with the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Good luck Ebelle Jonathan, and this further afforded him a wider scope of experiences.
As the President, United Cities and Local Governments of West Africa, and vice president Africa as a whole, Joefel had the privilege of Working with all the Local Government Council Mayors in Africa, and this afforded him greater experience in Leadership and Governance.
As a Board Member, Commonwealth Local Governments Forum, and later as the First Vice President, World Conference of Mayors, Joefel had the Experience of Leadership across the entire world.
As Delegate to the National Conference, Joefel had the opportunity to cross fertilize higher leadership ideas, and this further widened his scope of leadership experience in governance.
Hon. Akhabue, aka JOEFEL has been a Technocrat in the Cooperate and Private world, and it has been a success story all along. He has single handedly built a business conglomerate, and even in the midst of different economic harsh realities, where his contemporaries were complaining, and some packing up, Joefel’s conglomerates have been sowering and growing in leaps and bounds till date. This has afforded him the opportunity to be, and remain a philanthropist all these years.
As a politician, Hon. Felix has been a grassroot man, a mobilizer, a household name across the state, and a trailblazer in community development. His popularity transcends beyond the towns and cities, and also across all nooks and crannies of the communities that make up Edo state, and so, Joefel needs no difficult introduction.
Hon. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue is a very humble man, and his personal disposition is down to earth. He is the man for the Physically Challenged, the poor, the needy, and also for the less privileged.
Joefel, Though he is a Christian and of the Roman Catholic Faith, he is a friend of other denominations and other religions. He is the man for the Muslims, and the traditional institutions. His respect for the traditional institutions can be attested by the traditional rulers across the state, and especially the traditional ruler of his kingdom; The Onojie of Ekpoma, the Edionweles (Eni’Edión), the women leaders, and the youths. He is the man for the market women, the student bodies, and he is the man for the conventional and local security outfits.
His Awards
Hon. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue, aka JOEFEL is a recipient of several awards. Some of these awards include;
– Award of Excellency as the Best farmer of the Year in Edo state by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 2004.
– Merit Media Network Award for Who is Who in Nigeria, 2004.
– Distinguished Leadership Award, 2005.
– Award of Excellence for Contributing towards the Development and Empowerment of Nigerian students and Youths By NANS, 2005.
– Diamond Award for Professional Excellence for Being an Embodiment of Discipline, Courage, Steadfastness, Hard Work, Integrity, and Foresight, 2005.
– Development in Nigeria Merit Award for Hotel Services Category, 2006.
– Award of Excellence in the Private Sector, 2006.
– Christian Service Award, Doctor of Philosophy for Human Development.
– Leadership Award of Excellence for Development of Mankind, and Unalloyed Support for Nigerian Youths, 2006.
– Esan National Achievers Award for Contributing towards Development to Nigeria, 2007.
– Centenary Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to the Growth and Development of Christianity in Esanland By the Esan Diocese of Bossu Anglican Communion, 2008.
– West African Student Union Award of Excellence for Contribution towards Students and Youth Development in Ghana, 2008.
– Award of Excellence for the Care for Youth Corps, and the NYSC Scheme, 2008.
– Distinguished Peace Ambassador Award for Exemplary Contributions in the Enhancement of Peace, Unity, and Development of the Niger Delta, 2009.
– Merit Award in Appreciation of Contribution to Community Development, 2009
– Best Performing Council Chairman Award in the Area of Health, and other Infrastructures in Edo State, 2010.
– Award of Excellence as a Youth Model by the South South Peoples Assembly, 2010.
– Justice of Peace (JP) by Edo State Government, 2010.
– Award of Excellence presented by the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa as Promoter of Grass-root Democracy in Nigeria, 2011.
– Edo Man of The Year 2023 by Edo ICON Award.
HON. FELIX AKHABUE AS A FAMILY MAN
Joefel is a highly responsible man, the Pride of his Extended family both Paternal and Maternal, and he is married to his heartthrob, Mrs. Magdalene Akhabue, and they are both blessed with Four Lovely and Lively Children.
Hon. Joefel is a Jolly Good Fellow, and the Man for the next face of Edo Leadership.
Joefel will assuredly be the Candidate to Beat in the Edo State Governorship Election, come 2024 as he will certainly ride higher than all others.
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