When he was born 47 years ago, neither his parents, relatives nor isoko people knew what he will become.
Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino, a dedicated leader, seasoned Chartered Accountant, business consultant, entrepreneur, politician and astute manager of both human and material resources. He has proven himself as a good manager, not just in private enterprises, but also in public affairs.
Born precisely on the 27th of April, 1967 in Emede town,Isoko South L.G.A. of Delta State.
This astute manager is a good example of a man who grew from a humble beginning to become a creme de la creme in our society. He had his primary education between 1975 and 1979 at State Primary School, Obrigbene in Bayelsa State. From there, he got admission into Government Secondary School, Ekeremor, also in Bayelsa State.
Joel-Onowapo completed his secondary education at Emede Grammar School in 1984. Between 1985 and 1989, he worked as a sales boy, Accounts clerk and cashier in Okwegbe & Sons Ltd, Oleh in Delta State. He came to Lagos in 1990 to start his professional career with ICAN under the Accounting Technicians Scheme and became a member in September 1991.
He worked briefly with MukDap Nig. Ltd before joining Onothome Ofo Thirlwell & Co. (Chartered Accountants) as Audit Clerk in 1992 where he proved very brilliant and promising.
In 1994 he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. By 1996, nothing could have been more rewarding than his admission into Onothome Ofo Thirlwell & Co as a partner. Onothome Ofo Thirlwell & Co. a professional and consultancy outfit which for 8 years won the prestigious Nigerian Stock Exchange Merit Award for quality audit reporting and depth of information provided in annual accounts.
In his drive for a good academic career, he furthered his studies by taking up a Masters Degree in Technology Management, which he completed in 1999 at the Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye and thereafter became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 2001. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Joel-Onowakpo, aside his professional career, is a good businessman and entrepreneur with good business skills and acumen. He is the Group Chairman of Elomaz Holdings which comprises Elomaz Nigeria Limited – a commodity trading company, Elomaz Hotels Limited, Elomaz Mining and Exploration Limited, Jos and Weimog Technologies Limited – a computer & Telecommunications outfit. Among others, he is also the Vice-Chairman of Elomaz Nigeria Investment Limited – a finance leasing outfit.
This illustrious Chartered Accountant is also a philanthropist whose main goal is to help the less privileged. He is the founder of Ithihikpebe Campaign Organization and it’s empowerment wing. Ithihikpebe campaign organization, empowered centers have executives in all town in Isoko south local Government area, and well organized office at Oleh, Irri, Igbide, while it’s Headquarters is situated at Emede Town.
Ithihikpebe Campaign organization has distinguished itself not just for mere political patronage, but as an empowerment organization that is selfless, genuine and patriotic. The empowerment wing of the Ithihikpebe campaign organization has touch the lives of both the rich and the poor in Isoko nation and beyond. Ranging from Free jamb lectures,scholarship, textbook, notebook, chairs for schools and other study aid, down to Micro credit, vocational training, stater packs and employment for graduates. Yes It can’t be wrong for anyone to say that the Joel-Onowakpo’s empowerment program has touch the lives of the very poor.
As a strong proponent of sustainable human development,he is also the President of the Board of Trustees of Joseph Onothome Ofo Educational Foundation – an outfit designed to award scholarships to brilliant students.
For his outstanding contribution in the Field of Accountancy and Community Development, he was included in the “Who is Who in the 21st Century 2nd Edition” by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England.
Unlike a popular saying that a prophet is not recognized in his home, Joel-Onowakpo is a man respected both at home and abroad, that is why Emede community were he hails from, on December 6th, 2013 gathered in their numbers to honor this illustrious son, who have made them proud.
He was also a recipient of Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2004 and has since received several other Awards too numerous to mention.
His quest for knowledge has led him to so many local and international courses in management and sustainable development. Among them are;University of Edinburgh Business School, Coventry University, e.t.c. just as he has presented so many papers in taxation, technology acquisition and sustainable management strategies.
He was an Executive Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council of Delta State which attracted several recognitions from both the local and international scenes as a result of his astute leadership qualities. He has at various times served the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria in different capacities such as Membership and Professional Conduct and Building committees. He has also served as Chairman, Technical Appraisal Committee and FS&GPC of Joint Tax Board Tax (JTB) Tax Identification Number (TIN) Project. He is a member of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938.
His distinguished leadership acumen demonstrated in his private life and his ability to successfully manage the affairs of Isoko south local government council, despite dwindling allocation, by relying on internally generated revenue, attracted the attention of the state government in 2009 when he was appointed the Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue at a time the state government was in dire need of a man to champion her vision of diversifying the economy.
His impeccable performance led to the astronomic rise in the revenue base of the state from less than N1B to about N5.74B monthly,further endeared him to Governor, Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan who decided to return him to the Board after his first tenure which ended June 24, 2013.
His re-appointment was a clear testimony of his achievement of consistently building on the state Internally Generated Revenue and the vision of the Governor to build a “Delta State Beyond Oil.”
The achievement of Joel-Onowakpo’s led revenue board, is not only in the area of increase in Internally generated revenue, but also in infrastructural and human capital development . It is on record that the board has experienced face life in terms of the quality of working environment. The 6 storeys ultra- model DBIR Headquarters, warri remain one of the faster government project. It is a project that was not just completed on time, but also with absolute compliance with quality. The board has also completed 5 zonal office in, Asaba, warri, Agbor, Oleh and Ughelli. While it’s Data recovery centre is at advance stage of completion. Not forgetting a befitting Headquarters annex in Asaba. The board is currently building 10 new additional zonal offices, which will be completed in 6 months time.
The board under his leadership have also acquired and installed up-to-date ICT equipment, while giving major attention to training and re-training of its work force, locally and internationally, in order to make tax administration effective.
Joel-Onowakpo is married and blessed with 3 wonderful children. He enjoys playing golf,traveling, meeting people and listening to good music.
Happy birthday, the best boss!
Obah sylva
Media Aide to the Executive chairman DBIR
