Nigeria’s former diplomatic couple who served in Burundi with remarkable achievements for about 3 years have not rested on the ores of their rich resume as they get inducted to become Fellows of Nigeria Institution of Public Relations. Dr Elijah and Mrs Onyeagba who both hold bachelor degrees in Economics and chartered bankers who were deployed in 2022 to Burundi.
Dr Elijah Onyeagba FNIPR was appointed by former President Buhari as an Ambassador plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2021. Before his appointment, Elijah was the APC House of Representative candidate for Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections when he gained immense popularity for his philanthropy and human capacity development initiatives in Anambra State.
He is an Economist by training and has an MBA in Finance, A Chartered Banker with over seventeen years’ experience in commercial, corporate, retail, mortgage banking, real estate, research, marketing and leadership. He is an expert in the structuring and advisory on construction finance deals with specialty in residential/affordable housing projects. He was the CEO of Countrywide Housing Company (CHC) – a company that has set out to develop affordable housing units in Nigeria and to create value within the housing ecosystem. He also worked as Head of Commercial (Marketing & Sales), Northern Operations of the Nigeria Securities, Printing and Minting (NSPM Plc). Prior to that, he was the Group Head (AGM) in charge of Real Estate Transaction in ASO Savings & Loans Plc; Nigeria’s largest originator of mortgage assets with additional responsibility of overseeing the company business concerns within the Federal Capital Territory, North and the Southern Regions of Nigeria. Before joining ASO, he worked with Equitorial Trust Bank (Now Sterling Bank) as Head of Business, Bond Bank (Now Skye Bank) as relationship manager and Platinum Bank (Now keystone Bank) as relationship officer and customer service officer. He also worked as a research assistant with the Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG).
Elijah is Alumnus of the International Housing Finance Program and Securitization of the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania. In addition, he has undergone several leadership and management courses in Harvard Business School USA – High Potential Leadership Program HPLP- 2008, Leadership Development LD 2009, Wharton Business School USA – Strategic Marketing – MT 2010, Said Business School Oxford UK, 2012 and INSEAD Business School, Fontaine Bleau, France – Leadership Transition LT, 2013.
Academically, He bagged his first degree in Economics with 21 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, MBA in Finance from University of Calabar and Master’s in Applied Economics from the American University in Washington DC, USA. He has a PhD in Economics (Public Policy) from The Atlantic International University (AIU), Hawaii USA. He is a BOT member of IgbaK’Igba Foundation – an NGO. He also sits on the Advisory board of Democracy Youth Roundtable. Professionally, Elijah is an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow of the African Leadership Institute, He is also a Senior Member of the Chartered institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB) and a Fellow of the Institute of Treasury and Financial Administration (FITFA), a new leader with the Crans Montana Forum and a member of the African Leadership Network-ALN.
Elijah is a trailblazer in any area of endeavor he finds himself. His intelligence and disruptive thinking leads to the emergence of new ways of doing things. Most importantly he constructively applies his intelligence to solving problems and delivering quality services. Elijah is a hardworking person who is unequivocally committed to the achievement of his team’s objectives. He also exhibits a high level of self-confidence and maintains poise in every situation. One major area in which he stands out from his peers is as regards his leadership skills; he is a good team leader and possesses excellent people management skills. People who have worked with Elijah are of the opinion that he is an excellent person to work with. He is able to achieve that delicate balance, the ability to be friends with his team members and at the same time command their respect and get things done. Elijah is also an honest and trustworthy individual. He can be relied upon no matter how serious the issue at hand is.
Elijah speaks at conferences and seminars nationally and internationally and for the past five years have been a panelist at the Mo Ibrahim governance weekend discussing issues on Africa and the youth bulge. He has won numerous awards for his academic prowess, professional excellence in banking and in the real estate industry, contribution to youth empowerment, education and community development.
His wife, Mrs Udo Onyeagba who has immensely contributed to Elijah’s success is one woman who demonstrates humility, finesse, prudence, diligence and hard work. The trained banker made her mark in Zenith bank as one of the most outstanding female bankers over a decade of her career before venturing into business and motherhood. She leads various women groups and charity causes in education, entrepreneurship and community development.
The power couple were very visible in the South East of Nigeria during the 2023 General Elections campaigning for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The recent achievements as Fellows of Nigeria Institution of Public Relations is tandem with their tirelessly commitment to personal development and growth.
This couple leave a humongous trail of support for one another that many younger couples can emulate. It is no surprise if they will soon clinch another national feat and continue to inspire many Nigerians.
Kudos to the power couple