By Charles Adingupu
Ekwunife Okoli, 66,who passed on peacefully in the United Kingdom on April 23,2023, was in all ramifications, a man of many virtuous parts.
He was not only a corporate prodigy who bestowed the marketing and brand management world like a colossus, but also, a humanist who had a burning passion to make the world a better place than he found it.
He also deployed his intellectual powess and cognate experience to advance his chosen career in marketing, leaving behind a legacy of doggedness, perseverance service and innovations.
No wonder ,from Guiness Nigeria to Diageo, Ekwunife left indelible marks in those blue chip companies shoring up their global image.
It is to his eternal credit that all the firms he worked as a henchman, he took them to enviable pedestal as
mega brands with robust revenue records.
Ekwunife was also a devout Christian who loved God absolutely, and believed that He had a plan for his life, and he trusted God in every situation that came his way. He lived by the values of integrity, excellence , service and godliness.
He was a simple and humble man who shunned a life of ego and showmanship. He lived a
contented life with all God has given him, and felt blessed by God benevolence to him.
He was always upbeat, cared passionately for people and saw family as most important in life and an integral part of humanity.
In his relationships with people ,Ekwunife lived by the biblical principle of “Love your neighbour as yourself” and often says in Igbo language..…”Onye si kwa na obulu ya!” meaning “Imagine if it were you!”
Born on January 23, 1957 to the family of the now late Mr Gabriel and Mabel Okoli of Umuokpu in Awka, Anambra State, Ekwunife was one of their six children.
Ekwunife also excelled in his academic pursuits, earning a first-class degree in Marketing from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and an MBA from the University of Benin, Nigeria.
Ekwunife began his professional journey at Guinness Nigeria and
his career trajectory spanned over 30 years in Guinness.
He was one time the Marketing Director at Guinness Nigeria, and later Managing Director/CEO, of Guinness Camerouns .
Ekwunife was also an accomplished business leader and a seasoned corporate governance expert. He had over 30 years of experience in the consumer goods industry across more than 20 African countries. After retiring from Diageo PLC, he served as a non-executive director for Cornerstone Insurance PLC and Fidson Healthcare PLC. He had a strong passion for Africa and its promising opportunities in both business and social sectors.
In both his professional and personal life, he saw coaching and mentoring as two important aspects of people development and frequently devoted his time, insights and energy towards helping others attain their full potential
Ekwunife was happily married for 31 years to Unoma. They are blessed with four children, Ikenna, Nonye, Chineme and Tobenna.
Ekwunife leaves behind to cherish his loving memory, his wife, children, siblings, in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
May his loving Soul Rest Peacefully in the Bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
