Mazi Mike Okereke
Mazi Mike Okereke is an International Management and Public Relations Consultant, who has over the years made extra-ordinary contributions to the development and practice of management in different parts of the world.
He is a well respected management and Public Relations consultant and has over the past thirty years carried out Human Resource Development and learning programme in different parts of the world including Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin, The Gambia, Namibia, Senegal, Cote d Ivoire, Kenya, United Arab Emirate, South Africa, Britain and U.S.A.
He has been honoured in different parts of the World for his lifetime contributions to Commerce, Industry and Public Relations, Marketing and Management Practice. Some of the awards he has received include:
USA– Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): 2006 Atlas Award for lifetime Achievement in International Public Relations. He is the first African to be so honoured by PRSA
Nigeria—University of Nigeria, Department of Business Administration: Public Relations Executive of the year 2004.
National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria: TITAN most valued Personality Award for Lifetime Achievement in marketing communication-2008.
WEIC of the University of Calabar: Award for Excellence and Outstanding contributions to Human Resource Development and learning.
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations: Award for Excellence –Golden Eagle Award 2011.
Kenya-African Public Relations Association: African Public Relations award for Excellence for lifetime achievement.
Mike Okereke born on 9th July, 1938, joined UAC International, London then member of the UNILEVER London as a management trainee in 1964 after his graduation. He worked at the London Head Quarters of UAC International before being posted to Nigeria as the Regional Manager of UAC Group of the Multi National Group of Companies at the age of 27years. He was later appointed the Head of Department and one of the top policy makers of the UAC Group which at that time had over 20,000 employees. The twenty Companies that made up the Group were into Manufacturing, Technical, Agriculture, commercial and Trading.
Mr. Okereke established excellent reputation for his contributions to
- Commerce and Industry
- Professional management Organisations
- Education and Human Resource Development.
Contributions to Education
Mike Okereke had strong links with universities. He was a major link between the University and the Private Sector. He was invited by many Universities to lecture to Students in different Management, Public Relations and Marketing topics. He introduced the first Post graduate MSc Public Relations Programme in Africa at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. The programme is now being offered at Doctorate level. As President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, he ensured that the first Chair in Public Relations was established at the University of Nigeria. He served in the Council of ESUT Business School (Enugu State University of Science & Technology) and played key roles to link University with Commerce and Industry.
Contributions to Commerce and Industries
Mr. Okereke played roles in the development of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria. He was one of those behind the rapid development of the Chamber of Commerce movement in Africa. He was a member of Council and Consultant Public Relations Adviser of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce and organized several trade fairs for the Chamber. He was also a Consultant to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and organized their first trade exhibition for the Chamber. He was the Public Relations Adviser of the Association of Chambers of Commerce. He was Public Relations Adviser of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. He was one of the key players and contributed to the formation of the West African Chambers of Commerce. He consulted for leading Companies in Nigeria such as Nestle Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Shell, UAC Group, Banks etc.
Contributions to Professional bodies
Mike Okereke played key roles in the development of Professional bodies in Nigeria. He served for many years in the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He was a member of the Board of Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He was a Vice President of the then Marketing Association.
He is a Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and was Chairman of its Governing Council. He is a Past President of the African Public Relations Association and a Chairman of its Governing Council. Mike Okereke is a Fellow and was for many years a member of Council of the National Marketing Institute of Nigeria and was Vice President of the Institute.
Fellowships and Awards
- Mike Okereke is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management
- Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
- Fellow, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria
- Past President, African Public Relations Association
- Past member of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
- Past President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
- Past Member, Public Relations Committee of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
- Past Public Relations Adviser of the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture
- Past member of Federal Government Ministerial Consultative Committee on Information
- Past Chairman, Image Committee, Nigeria’s Economic summit
- Public Relations Executive of the Year, University of Nigeria-2004
- Member of the Governing Council, ESUT Business School, Enugu State University of Technology
- President, Business Education Examinations Council
- Director, MDCI Nigeria Ltd
- Member, Institute of Directors, London
- Member of the Governing Council, International Public Relations Association
- President, Business Education Exams Council.
Mazi Mike Okereke was the Chairman of Peace Committee (Interim Administration of Amuvi Welfare Union) from 1994 – 1995.