Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe OFR is a Nigerian entrepreneur and business man. He is the managing director and chief executive officer of Mainland Oil and Gas Company Limited [1][2] and the chairman of Chrisnak Groups Limited.[3][4][5] He is also a recipient of the officer of Order of the Federal Republic National Award.[6][7]
Dr. Prince Chris Igwe | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Chris Odinaka Igwe 16 February 1970 |
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Education | |
| Organizations |
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| Awards | The Sun Investor of the year 2020 |
| Honours | 2022 Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic |
Early life and education
editChris Igwe was born on 16 February 1970 in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.[1] He bagged the Ordinary National Diploma from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State in 1996. In 2015, he graduated from Lagos State University where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. In 2016, he graduated from Lagos Business School where he was awarded the post graduate certificate on Owner Manager Programme. In 2019, he bagged an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in Human Resources from the Wesley University, Ondo State and he is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, US where he was awarded a post graduate certificate in Owner President Management Course.[1][8]
Business career
editChris Igwe started his career at Nanac Enterprises Limited, Owerri as a freelance salesman and he eventually rose to the position of general manager. In 1992, he started his first company Chrisnak Conglomerate – a trading company with only N10,000 capital and developed it into a big company before diversifying to shipping and freight-forwarding and logistics.[9][1] Later, Igwe founded other companies including, Mainland Oil and Gas operating in downstream, midstream and upstream oil and gas sector with a subsidiary, Newcore International Energy Limited focused on trading and operating tank-farm for storage of petroleum products in the down-stream sector; Chrisnak International Shipping Company Limited that provide maritime and logistics support to the parent company and other clients.[1] Other companies include Chrisnak Industries Limited focused on production of polymerizing vinyl chloride and lubricants, Chrisnak Properties Limited offering real estate services and Chrisnak Farms Limited which cultivated a 150-hectare cashew plantation in Isuochi, Umunneochi, Abia State to support national policy of diversification from oil economy to agriculture and production.[9]
On May 27, 2024, Nigerian police, acting on a complaint from Igwe, arrested Precious Eze Chukwunonso, a journalist and the publisher of the online news outlet News Platform, who had been writing articles about Igwe. [10] The reporter was charged with "conduct likely to cause breach of peace, provoking a breach of the peace by offensive publication and conspiracy to commit felony." If found guilty, he would face up to two years imprisonment.
International press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists, condemned Igwe's complaint against the reporter, and the police's arrest, as a precedent of Nigeria's business elite restricting the country's free press. [11] Chukwunonso had published an article, based on witness testimony, alleging that Igwe, after being startled by a dog in his upscale Lagos neighborhood had "reportedly panicked" then tripped and fell. "Seemingly incensed by the incident, Prince Igwe returned shortly thereafter with an armed companion, unleashing a volley of gunshots towards" the dog's perceived owner, the article had stated. [12]
Awards and honours
editChris Igwe received the award of the investor of the year from The Sun newspaper in 2020 and in 2022 he received the Nigeria National award, the officer of the Order of the Federal Republic[7][1][13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Rapheal (16 October 2021). "The Sun Award Winners 2020: Chris Igwe: From a little acorn to mighty oak". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Community benefits from N800m road construction". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Nwosu, Annie (17 September 2020). "COVID-19: Chrisnak applauds Gov. Ikpeazu, salutes Abia's enabling business environment". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "I hawked soap, tomatoes – Igwe, Oil & Gas magnate". Vanguard.
- ^ "Nigeria: Oil and Gas Industry Deserves a Bailout – Mainland CEO". All Africa News.
- ^ "National Honour Award" (PDF). The Premium Times.
- ^ a b NewsDirect (3 October 2022). "62nd independence anniversary: Buhari to honour Ooni, Elumelu, Ovia, Wigwe, 433 others". Nigeriannewsdirectcom. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Mainland Oil and Gas || Welcome". mainlandoil.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ a b Admin (9 April 2023). "The Business Colossus and Compassionate Philanthropist: Dr. Chris Igwe, OFR - Generational Role Model and Pacesetter in Nigeria". Communityreporters. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Nigerian authorities detain journalist Precious Eze Chukwunonso for 18 days". Committee to Protect Journalists. Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ International Federation of Journalists. "Nigeria: Journalist charged over articles about local businessman". International Federation of Journalists. International Federation of Journalists. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ Chukunonso, Precious Eze. "GUN SHOTS IN VGC: MD & CEO Of Mainland Oil & Gas Ltd, Chris Odinaka Igwe Alleged To Have Opened Fire After Dog Encounter Turns Hostile". News PLATFORM. News PLATFORM. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ gloriaabiakam (16 October 2021). "SUN Newspaper Awards... Ikpeazu Salutes Speaker Chinedum Orji and Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe". Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "The Sun Award Reward for Good Deed". Independent NG.