Rising Profile of Chief Emmanuel Okeson - City Light CEO

Ghana is no doubt one of the countries in Africa with fastest growing entrepreneurs who have their hands in various sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, banking among others.

Out of these many young and vibrant entrepreneurs is Chief Emmanuel Okeson, the Chief Executive Officer of City Light which have in it employment hundreds of Ghanaians; while its name has also grow leaps and bounds as a result of it cooperate social responsibility.

Chief Executive Officer of City Light, Chief Emmanuel Okeson’s stature is no doubt contrast to the popularity his company’s name has gained over the years. His humble attitude and appearance always prompt those who are privilege to meet him to doubt if he’s really the man that own the well talked about City Light. Born on the 1st of July 1965 in Ukpor Nwewi local government area of Anambra State. As a lover of education from the crèche, he began his elementary education at Umuohama Community School in 1972, after which he traveled to Lagos to enroll at Government College at Surulere, Lagos. He later obtained a certificate in Administration and Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and currently pursuing a degree course in Business Administration at the same institution in Ghana.

Founded in 1989, City Light Company in Ghana has grown to be a household name in quality and affordable lightning in Ghana and beyond. Mr. Okeson’s adventure into business actually started in 1984 in Nigeria, when he set up his first company in Nigeria: Emmatex Industrial Agency which was into importation and distribution of electrical and industrial components and spare parts.

In his quest to explore more opportunities within the West Africa region, Mr. Okeson in 1985 ventured in to West Coast trading, when he began to export cables, bulbs, fixtures, beauty products, kola nut among other products, after which he finally relocated to Republic of Ghana and established City Light Limited in 1989. Mr. Okeson customer centered service won him the Ghana most customer focused CEO for 2011 and 2012 respectively, among other awards.

Mr. Okeson, no doubt mean different things to different people in Ghana: to the National Association of Nigerian Student –Ghana (NANS), he’s a father. To All Nigeria Community, he’s the Chairman Board of Trustee. To the Nigeria High Commission, he’s a worthy ambassador, while to general public; he’s a successful and generous business man, who has contributed hugely to good course of several institutions in Ghana and Nigeria religious organizations. His company was also the major sponsor of the Miss Nigeria Ghana pageant 2012.

Mr. Okeson who also have investments in other sectors of Ghana economy , including Agriculture, Civil Construction, Real Estate, Water Engineering, Micro Finance and Hospitality, is one of the very few Nigerians recently selected as outstanding personalities, awarded by the West Africa Nobles Forum which it aim is to pool together prominent West Africans with sublime achievements.

One of the distinguished merit awards recently bestowed on Chief Okeson is the award of recognition by the City People media group during the 5th year anniversary of the West African magazine put together on 3rd of October at Coconut, Accra.

Expressing his heartfelt joy on several awards that have been bestowed on him, he said: “it’s a very important award for me, because it shows how appreciative the people that bestow this award on me value my contribution to the development of Ghana. And the recognition of my effort so far will make me to do more in contributing to the economical growth of this country. “

Speaking on his plan to be a solution to the work scarcity in Ghana: “in creating more employment in a land where thousands are looking for jobs, I have decided to increase my workforce to 500 in the next few years. “ Speaking further on the challenges being faced as a Nigerian operating in Ghana “Though there are challenges as a Nigerian running variety of business in Ghana, to the extent that sometimes, I feel like quitting.”

“There’s no doubt about the fact that Ghana government is doing its best to encourage investors, but the problem some of us have -has to do with discrimination. There has been some mark labeled on Nigerian entrepreneurs. Average Ghanaian often thinks every Nigerian entrepreneur is a fraudster. I think if the Ghana government could help educate the people on their attitude toward foreign investors, most especially Nigerians, it will help in encouraging us to help develop the economy.”

“Yes, it is true that not all Nigerians or other foreigners are doing legal business, and that happens everywhere, but labeling every Nigerian has a potential suspect is not encouraging. And as the Chairman Board of Trustee of All Nigeria Community in Ghana, I always admonish Nigerians to always project good value of Nigeria wherever they are”