Welcome to the world of the Executive Director, NEXIM Bank, a boardroom expert, a politician and leader, the Lioness of the Niger Delta and my sister from the Urhobo stock, Hon Stella Okotete, as God adds another year to her years. She is a special breed who does her thing differently but with class and panache, yet very humble.
I recall that sometime last year, she was our guest personality, previously featured on the weekend edition of The Pointer, and in her humility, she did not hesitate to put a call across to me to appreciate what she called “A job well-done”.
People often look forward to the future, while praying to God to spare their lives and add another year to their years, thus making birthdays special celebrations, reflection moments and joy to the celebrants. It was, therefore, not a surprise that friends, admirers, siblings and other relations of this Amazon, Hon Stella Okotete joined the stream of well-wishers to celebrate with her as she turned plus one.
Yours truly was particularly amazed by some of the goodwill messages that poured in to celebrate her, and would like to crave your indulgence to share a few of them with you here. Perhaps, they would open up the window to how much she is appreciated, the depth of love and what she means to many.
This is coming from her siblings: “The radiant star of our family and a trailblazer in both politics and banking. Your grace, strength, and relentless pursuit of excellence have not only made us proud but have inspired countless others.
“From boardrooms of the political stage, you’ve carried yourself with courage, brilliance, grace and an unwavering commitment to service. We’re so proud of the heart that leads them.”
And from The Young People of the Niger Delta came this: “We the young people of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large recognize your remarkable leadership, dedication, and support to the good people of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. Your tireless commitment towards empowering and uplifting our people, most especially the girl-child as well as your strong advocacy for community development have not gone unnoticed, and still unmatched in the State, Niger Delta and Nigeria in general”.
Yet another from Team Lioness: “It is not by mere coincidence that you are called “The Lioness of the Niger Delta and Womankind. It is a testament of your capacity, generosity and sagacity.”
So, at a glance, you could see the depth of appreciation and gratitude to this great, yet unbelievably humble woman, the reflection on her person and how much she’s celebrated. And from my small corner, I say to her, ” My sister, here is another year of laughter, love and adventure for you. Age gracefully.”
It is good to live well and impact positively on the lives of those who come your way. Why? Because the impression and impact you make in the life of those who come your way, consciously or unconsciously, registers in their minds, and by that, may become the yardstick for measuring your self-worth or the respect you earn before them.
But I’m thankful to God that Hon Stella Okotete is one of those few leaders who have defined their part, and shown commitment to positively impacting the lives of many who come their way.
But for the benefit of those who may not know or may not have heard about her, Hon. Stella Okotete is an accomplished personality, who has excelled in both public service, business development and economic growth. Her impressive career spans various areas, including public policy design and implementation, international development, and general administration.
She has penchant for advancing women’s empowerment, leadership, and community development, thus earning her immense respect.
Hon. Stella Okotete’s career is marked by a diverse and enriching experience in both the public and private sectors. In her role as the focal person for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Delta State, she provided strategic leadership to design and implement programs aligned with the United Nations Millennium Declaration.
Through her previous position as an elected Councillor in Ughelli North Local Government Area, she gained valuable insights into the needs of marginalised communities. This knowledge enabled her to make a positive impact in neglected areas through the state’s Millennium Development Goals intervention programs.
In April 2022, she was re-appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for an additional term of five years as the Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).
Graduating from Benson Idahosa University, her thirst for learning prompted her to pursue a Diploma in Law from the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences. She later went on to achieve both a Master’s degree in Public Administration and another Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Through these academic pursuits, she gained valuable expertise in governance, peace building, and conflict resolution, thus further enriching her capabilities in these fields.
She has played a vital role in driving economic growth, fostering business partnerships, and facilitating export financing. And drawing from her dynamic approach and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, she successfully conceptualised and developed new products and services in line with national economic plans.
Notably, initiatives like the ‘Women and Youth Export Facility’ and the ‘Small and Medium Export Enterprise Facility’ reflect her commitment to job creation, industrialization, and Foreign Exchange generation, all aligned with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
