User:Okosieme

Nnamdi Donatus Okosieme, Journalist, activist, critic, writer and minister.

Okosieme, from Onitsha in Anambra State, was born on February 10, 1966 in Lagos to the footballing family of late Cyril Ikechukwu Okosieme( former Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and national team (Green Eagles) goalkeeper and first goalkeeper and Secretary of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu) and Edna Gini Okosieme( nee Nwimo) His elder brother, Ndubuisi played for the Flying Eagles and Green Eagles before proceeding to play professional football in Europe while his younger sister, Nkiru, was a former captain of the Super Falcons and one of the pioneers of women's football in Nigeria.

Early Life and education

Okosieme moved to Benin City in 1972 with the rest of his family when his father, Cyril then playing for Rangers of Enugu, signed for Bendel Insurance FC of Benin then known as Vipers of Benin. He attended Adolo Primary School from 1972-1978 from where he proceeded to Obakhavbaye Grammar School for his secondary education. In 1979, following the decision of the state government to make Obakhavbaye and all-girls school, Okosieme and all male students of the institution moved to Edokpolo Grammar School, which also became an all-boys school following the transfer of the female students to Obakhavbaye Grammar School. His classmates and seniors at Obakhavbaye and Edokpolo included some of Nigeria’s leading sportsmen like Humphrey Edobor, Lucky Imafidon, Bright Omokaro, Ndubuisi Okosieme, Austin Eguavoen, Roland Ewere, Augustine Igbinobaro and Wilfred Agbonavbare. He graduated from Edokpolo Grammar School in 1983. IN 1985 he gained admission to the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) for his A-levels. Mid-way into the programme in 1985, he gained admission to the University of Benin to study for a degree in Theatre Arts. In late 1987 while still at the University of Benin, he was elected President of the Theatre Arts Students Association (TASA) and Vice-President, National Universities Theatre Arts Students Association (NUTASA). He graduated from the University of Benin with Second Class honours in December 1989. Following nationwide students protest over the Federal Government’s Structural Adjustment Programme, which had led to the closure of some Federal Universities including the University of Benin, he could not embark on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme until March 1990. In March 1991 he completed national service in Imo State after serving for one year at the Imo State Library Board. In May 1991, he moved to Lagos where he has held various positions in the financial, hospitality and media industries. Between 1991 and 2001, Okosieme bagged a Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degree in International relations and Strategic Studies from the Lagos State University and has attended numerous workshops and seminars on leadership and corporate social responsibility.

Journalism career

Okosieme is one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists having covered beats ranging from news, politics and sports. He has worked for some of Nigeria’s leading publications including, The News Magazine, Tempo Magazine (now defunct), PM News, Daily Independent, Punch and Next newspapers. In addition, between 2006 and 2007 he co-produced presented a television programme focusing on social, political and economic issues. He is also one of the most recognizable sports pundits on national television having appeared on leading Nigerian television stations like NTA, Channels, AIT, Silverbird, Lagos television, TVC and Galaxy as well as the globally renowned Cable News Network (CNN). In 2011, he was a finalist at the CNN/Multichoice African Journalists Award where he received the Highly Commended Sports Award.

Married life

Okosieme is married to Chibuzor Joy, a 1996 graduate of Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State and holder of a Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degree in International relations and Strategic Studies from the Lagos State University. They have three children.

Religion

Born into a catholic family, he converted to the Pentecostal Faith in 2003 after joining the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Between 2009 and 2011 he attended the School of Disciples and the Redeemed Christian Bible College where he bagged a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology. In August 2009, he was ordained a Deacon along with his wife, Chibuzor. He is presently the Assistant Pastor of RCCG, The King’s Palace in Lagos.