In the most prestigious and unifying Iri-Ji Mbaise National Cultural Festival ever, that took place on 15th August 2023, Mbaise Nation of five clans namely, Oke Ovoro, Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu and Ezinihitte encapsulated in the present day Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Areas of Imo State honoured their illustrious son, Okenze Felix Ohiri Amadi with the clan title of Whekubi Mbaise
According to released by Mbaise Chairmen of traditional rulers, the prestigious clan title of “Whekubi Mbaise” to Okenze Felix Ohiri Amadi is recognition and reward for his achievements and contributions as a philanthropist and an achiever to the well being of the citizens of Mbaise Nation and Nigeria in general. Including several investments which no doubt have impacted in many.
In recognition of Okenze Felix Ohiri Amadi’s unquantifiable contributions and enviable achievements, the Mbaise Nation honours
him with a Chieftaincy title of “Whekubi Mbaise” to appreciate all his patriotic activities to all spheres of human endeavour. This Clan title no doubt is an eloquent testimony to your commitment and devotion to the service of his people in a record time, the statement reads.
The Man Felix Ohiri Amadi
Felix Ohiri Amadi hails from Olakwo Enyiogugu in Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State, and was born 66 years ago to Nze Innocent Amadi and Lolo Maria Amadi both now of blessed memory, he was their only son of his parents.
In both primary and secondary schools, he was adjudged hardworking and intelligent by teachers. He attended the University of Lagos and graduated from the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance where he obtained the only 2nd Class Honors ( Upper Division) of his department in June 1980. He obtained MBA from the same university in 1998 with above-average scores.
His career in Insurance blossomed when he became CEO, Crown Insurance Brokers Limited in 1987, a consultancy and risk management outfit owned by him and key Nigerian entrepreneurs with Alhaji (Dr) Bamanga Tukur as chairman. On this platform, he has transversed the world of insurance locally and internationally in the last 35 years.
His business exploits did not dwarf his professional and intellectual forays over the years. Besides many acknowledged papers, he is the author of the foremost social insurance and award-winning book “Retirement In Nigeria, A Management Approach “ LLC, 2021. Among the many professional bodies with which he is associated, Okenze Felix Amadi holds the diploma of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and Associate of the Nigeria Corporation of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). He is a Fellow, Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN), Fellow and Vice-President, the Institute of Operations Research and Management Science of Nigeria (IORMS), Fellow, Institute for Management Consultants and Member, the Nigeria Institute for Training and Development (NITAD)
Okenze Felix Amadi is a known crusader for human development and positive social change. To this effect, many individuals from his community and beyond have climbed the ladder of life upon his vision and support. He has remained an icon for community self-help in infrastructural development and a beacon of hope in leadership at critical times, especially in his Mbaise Nation.
It is noteworthy that Okenze Felix Amadi was a founding member of Mbaise Di (Lagos), past Present Mbaise Di, a patron of Mbaise Peoples Congress (Lagos) and an ardent supporter of Ezuruezu Mbaise. He has ever supported such annual Mbaise cultural events as Iri Ji Mbaise, ORURU UKWU Enyiogugu, Itu Aka Nguru, Oji Ezinihitte etc. These underscore his traditional title of Whekubi Mbaise.
In all of the above, he is greatly admired for his humility and forthrightness in his dealings with people and society at large. His Foundation at his primary community, Enyiogugu Mbaise , known as Enyiogugu Model Youth Awards (EMYA) is structured to promote integrity in growth and achievement amongst the youth in an age of dilapidating morality.
Okenze Felix Amadi is a man at home and always involved with the local events of his Mbaise Nation including the Catholic Church and this has earned him many “son of the soil” awards with assignments attached including High Chief, Okenze, Ambassador of Mary, Grand Patron, Catholic Men Organization, patron Catholic Youth, patron Catholic Corp Members etc.
It must be noted that Okenze Felix Amadi (Whekubi Mbaise) is an ethical politician who ran for election to occupy the Imo East Senatorial seat in 2011
He is married to Lolo Monique Amadi and they are blessed with children and grandchildren