Nkechi Ikpeazu
{{Short description|Nigerian politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nkechi Ikpeazu
| image = Mrs._Nkechi_Ikpeazu,_wife_of_the_Governor_of_Abia_State.jpg
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| occupation = Politician
| spouse = Okezie Ikpeazu
}}
Nkechi Caroline Ikpeazu (née Nwakanma){{IPAc-en|audio=Ig-Nkechi Ikpeazu.ogg}} was the First Lady of Abia State from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023, as wife of the former Governor of Abia State located in the southeast of Nigeria.{{cite web| url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/abia-govs-wife-offers-scholarship-to-alma-maters-best-student/ |title=Abia Governor's Wife offers scholarship to Alma-maters best student |publisher=Vanguardngr.com |date=2015-07-08 |access-date=2016-04-14}}{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=Ikpeazu's wife seeks strict enforcement of sickle cell law|url=https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/national/ikpeazus-wife-seeks-strict-enforcement-of-sickle-cell-law/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}} She is also the Founder and President of Vicar Hope Foundation, a non-profit organisation that has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC){{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ecosoc6983.doc.htm|title="Continuing Session, Non-Governmental Organizations Committee Approves 75 Entities for Status with Economic and Social Council, Defers Action on 43 Others"|publisher=UNITED NATIONS.|access-date=2019-05-20}}
Early life and education
Nkechi Ikpeazu was born in Ile-Ife. She hails from Ohanze Isiaha in Obingwa LGA of Abia State. She attended Community Primary School Ohanze; Girls High School, Aba; Teacher Training College Ihie; Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri; Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu; University of Nigeria Nsukka; the National Open University of Nigeria; and the Abia State University, Uturu.{{Cite web|title=Meet the First Ladies: Amazing facts you did not know about these 5 sassy south east govs' wives (photos)|url=https://www.legit.ng/1103885-meet-first-ladies-amazing-facts-5-south-east-govs-wives-photos.html|last=Ikeke|first=Nkem|date=2017-05-10|website=Legit.ng – Nigeria news.|language=en|access-date=2020-05-17}} She possess an NCE in Business Studies, a bachelor's degree in Cooperatives and Rural Development, a post graduate Diploma in Management and a master's degree in management. She has completed a doctorate at the Abia State University, Uturu.{{Cite web|title=Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu – The wife of the Abia State Governor|url=https://nextzon.com/mrs-nkechi-ikpeazu-the-wife-of-the-abia-state-governor|date=2018-03-08|website=Nextzon Business Services Limited|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-20}}
Career
Nkechi has worked as a teacher, an accounts executive with Camway Ventures Lagos, a banker with Lobi Bank from 1986 to 1996, and as Registrar of Cooperatives with Abia State Government.{{cite web |last1=Admin |title=Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu the wife of the Abia state governor |url=https://nextzon.com/mrs-nkechi-ikpeazu-the-wife-of-the-abia-state-governor |website=Next Zon |date=8 March 2018 |access-date=23 January 2019}}
Nkechi is a sports promoter and the major backer of the women football premier league club side, Abia Angels FC.{{cite web| url=http://guardian.ng/sport/ikpeazus-wife-lauds-abia-angels/ |title= Ikpeazu's Wife Lauds Abia Angels |publisher=ngrguardiannews.com |date=2015-10-26 |access-date=2016-04-14}}
Charitable work
Through her NGO, the Vicar Hope Foundation, VHF, she has built several homes for indigent persons. The Vicar Hope Foundation VHF is also involved in providing better healthcare for mother and child, and in battling cancer, diabetes, and sickle cell diseases. VHF has completed two sickle cell hospital/cancer diagnosis and treatment centres in Umuahia and Aba and offers subsidized treatment to patients.{{cite web|url=http://guardian.ng/news/nkechi-ikpeazu-lifts-widows-the-blind-with-houses/ |title=Nkechi Ikpeazu lifts widows, the blind with houses |publisher=ngrguardiannews.com |date=2015-12-09 |access-date=2016-04-14}}{{cite web |url=http://www.forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/Ikpeazu's-wife-advocates-regular-diabetes-check.56078/ |title=Ikpeazu's wife advocates regular diabetes check |publisher=Diabetes UK |date=2015-11-27 |access-date=2016-04-18 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Foundation also runs a GBV Response Desk that offers interventions and referral for prevention and protection.
Personal life
Nkechi is married to the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu,{{Cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=Abia Governor's wife: We're working on gender policy |url=https://guardian.ng/guardian-woman/abia-governors-wife-were-working-on-gender-policy/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} who hails from Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA. Together they have two boys and two girls. Ikpeazu is a Deaconess of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and professes a close relationship with God.
See also
{{Portal bar|Biography|Christianity|Nigeria}}