Paul O
{{Short description| Nigerian show promoter and record exec (born 1967)}}
{{About|the show promotor and talent manager|2=the member of P-Square|3=Rudeboy (Nigerian singer)}}
{{Infobox person
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| name = Paul Okoye
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| image = Paul O in a gym (cropped).jpg
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| birth_name = Paul Okoye
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|04|21}}
| birth_place = Anambra State
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| nationality = Nigerian
| other_names = {{flatlist|
- Paulo Okoye
- Paul Okoye}}
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| years_active = 2002 - date
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- Upfront and Personal Global Management
- One Africa Music Fest
- One Africa Global Foundation
- Cartel Records
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| title = CEO
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| awards = The Headies 2019 Special Recognition Award
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Paul Okoye{{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Paul Okoy.ogg}} (born 21 April 1967), also known as Paulo Okoye or Paul O, is a Nigerian event promoter, talent manager, record exec, philanthropist and businessman.{{Cite web|last=Suleiman|first=Yemisi|date=2 April 2017|title=Paul Okoye – Celebrating An Entertainment Guru At 50|url=https://allure.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/paul-okoye-celebrating-entertainment-guru-50/amp/|website=Vanguard (Nigeria)|language=en}}
Talent management
Okoye is the CEO of Upfront and Personal Global Management, that manage Kizz Daniel, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Tekno, Iyanya, Flavour, amongst others.{{Cite web|last=Mayowa|first=Adenekan|date=16 January 2022|title=Kizz Daniel's Signing With Paulo Management Good Way To Awaken Career – Mayorspeaks|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/01/16/kizz-daniels-signing-with-paulo-management-good-way-to-awaken-career-mayorspeaks/amp/|website=This Day|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Okundia|first=Jennifer|date=16 September 2017|title=Dakore Akande Signs New Management Deal|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/09/16/dakore-akande-signs-new-management-deal/?amp=1|website=P.M. News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Awojulugbe|first=Oluseyi|date=11 July 2016|title=Iyanya To Leave Own Record Label|url=https://www.thecable.ng/iyanya-to-leave-record-label-mmmg/amp|website=TheCable|language=en}} Big Brother Naija housemates Mercy Eke and Erica Nlewedim are also under his management.{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=Ugochukwu|date=11 October 2019|title=Mercy Eke Signs Management Deal With Paul Okoye's Upfront And Personal (Photos)|url=https://igberetvnews.com/1106425/mercy-eke-signs-management-deal-paul-okoyes-upfront-personal-photos/#forward|website=Igbere TV News|language=en}}{{Cite web|first=Temitope|last=Reporter|date=12 September 2020|title=Erica Nlewedim Signs New Management Deal|url=https://allure.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/erica-nlewedim/amp/|website=Vanguard (Nigeria)|language=en}} He was the manager to former Nigeria national football team captain, Jay Jay Okocha. Multinationals among its clientele in Nigeria include Pepsi, MTN, Nigerian Breweries, Samsung, Nike, Heineken, Hennessy, etc. He facilitated the Davido, Tekno, Burna boy and Tiwa savage pepsi deals. He also facilitated the Burna boy/Star Lager deal.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 12, 2017|title=Meet The Brain Behind One Africa Music Fest|url=https://www.citypeopleonline.com/meet-the-brain-behind-one-africa-music-fest/|website=City People Magazine|language=en}}
He was part of the team that cemented Tekno's deal with Sony Music.{{Cite web|last=Anazia|first=Daniel|date=26 November 2016|title=Pana King, Tekno Inks A Deal With Sony Music|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/pana-kingtekno-inks-a-deal-with-sony-music/|website=The Guardian (Nigeria)|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Salihu|first=Idoko|date=11 January 2022|title=Tekno In New York To Sign Sony Deal|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/220325-tekno-new-york-sign-sony-deal.html|website=Premium Times|language=en}}
Event promoter
He is the organizer of the One Africa Music Fest. The show takes African music to the diaspora and it has been held in the UK, US, and UAE.{{Cite web|last=Nwanne|first=Chuks|date=24 August 2019 |url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/excitement-as-one-africa-music-fest-hits-london-today/|title=Excitement As One Africa Music Fest Hits London Today|website=The Guardian (Nigeria)|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=27 September 2021|url=https://saharareporters.com/2021/09/27/interswitch-one-africa-music-fest-brings-ultimate-afrobeats-party-brooklyn|title=Interswitch One Africa Music Fest Brings The Ultimate Afrobeats Party To Brooklyn|website=Sahara Reporters|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 October 2019|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/wizkid-2baba-others-take-one-africa-music-fest-to-dubai/amp/|title=Wizkid, 2baba, Others Take 'One Africa Music Fest' To Dubai|website=Vanguard (Nigeria)|language=en}} The show has fintech company Interswitch as its headline sponsor,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|url=https://oneafrica.quickteller.com/|title=Interswitch One Africa Music Fest|website=Interswitch Official website|language=en}} and Air Peace as its airline sponsor.{{Cite web|last=Samuel|first=Olajide|date=12 October 2019
|url=https://punchng.com/air-peace-flies-with-one-africa-music-fest/?amp|title=Air Peace Becomes Official Airline Of Interswitch One Africa Music Fest'|website=The Punch|language=en}} It has had the performances of artistes like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, 2Baba, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Zlatan Ibile, Olamide, Harmonize, Jah Prayzah, Akothee, Vanessa Mdee, Kcee, Diamond Platnumz, Busiswa, D12, Wurld, Kranium, Flavour, Bella Shmurda, Rema, Kwaw Kese, Töme, DJ Spinall, DJ Cuppy, DJ Obi, DJ Xclusive.
On 4 December 2022, he was listed by the Nigerian national newspaper This Day as top show promoter alongside Paulash Panache, and smade, among others{{cite web | url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/12/04/paulash-panache-paul-okoye-smade-others-listed-among-the-top-show-promoters/| title=Paulash Panache, Paul Okoye, Smade, others listed among the top show promoters| date=4 December 2022|website=This Day| access-date=16 May 2023}}
Record exec
He is a fifty percent co-owner of record label, Cartel Music. Tekno owns the remaining half.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 12, 2017|title=Tekno Set To Depart MMMG, To Launch Record Label With Paul Okoye|url=https://culturecustodian.com/tekno-set-to-depart-mmmg-to-launch-record-label-alongside-paul-okoye/|website=Culture Custodian|language=en}}
Foundation
Okoye partnered with Multichoice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from giving out relief materials and raising funds for people affected by the pandemic one way or another, they also hosted a televised Hope For Africa concert.{{cite web | url=https://guardian.ng/life/multichoice-partners-one-africa-global-foundation-on-covid-19-hope-for-africa-concert/ | title=MultiChoice Partners One Africa Global Foundation on COVID-19 Hope for Africa Concert | date=19 May 2020 }} Apart from the music performances by singers such as 2Baba, Diamond Platnumz, Waje, Cobhams Asuquo and Betty G, the concert had various Nigerian celebrities in attendance, offering goodwill messages to those at home due to the lockdown.{{cite web | url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/19/multichoice-partners-one-africa-global-foundation-for-covid-19-hope-for-africa-concert/amp/ | title=MultiChoice Partners One Africa Global Foundation for Covid-19 Hope for Africa Concert – THISDAYLIVE }}
In a bid to end world hunger, and also extreme poverty, Okoye, through One Africa Global Foundation, donated one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to an organization dedicated to empowering young people with skills, education and jobs, thereby achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).{{cite web | url=https://www.thecable.ng/apply-one-africa-to-award-100k-to-organisation-committed-to-achieving-sdgs-in-africa/amp | title=APPLY: ONE Africa to award $100k to organisation committed to achieving SDGS in Africa | date=16 September 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://leadership.ng/one-africa-award-to-incentivise-organisations-dedicated-to-achieving-sdgs/ | title=One Africa Award to Incentivise Organisations Dedicated to Achieving SDGS | date=15 September 2022 }}
Recognition
In 2015, Okoye was celebrated by Chivas Regal, who hosted a red carpet event tagged Taste of Luxury, in his honor. The dinner had performances by American performers 112, NEXT and Jagged Edge. And was attended by friends and well-wishers including Audu Maikori, Banky W, Chidinma, Ayo Makun, Tee-Y Mix, Toke Makinwa and Toolz.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=December 10, 2015|title=International And Home Superstars Celebrate Paul 'Paulo' Okoye's Special Themed Chivas Taste Of Luxury With 112, Next, Jagged Edge, Toolz, Ay Makun And More Stars Attend|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2015/12/international-home-superstars-celebrate-paul-paulo-okoyes-special-themed-chivas-taste-of-luxury-112-next-jagged-edge-toolz-ay-makun-more-stars-attend/amp/|website=Bella Naija|language=en}}
In 2017, he was celebrated on his Golden jubilee anniversary with a cover page issue on Vanguard newspaper's lifestyle pullout Allure.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=11 April 2015|title=Celebrating An Entertainment Guru At 50! Paul Okoye Is On The Cover Of Vanguard Allure's Latest Issue|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/04/celebrating-an-entertainment-guru-at-50-paul-okoye-is-on-the-cover-of-vanguard-allures-latest-issue/amp/|website=Bella Naija|language=en}}
In the Headies 2019 awards, he won the Special Recognition Award.{{cite web | url=https://theheadies.com/2019-winners/ | title=2022 Winners - the Headies | date=17 March 2022 }}
Personal life
Okoye moved to London at a young age. He has a son and a daughter. He lives in Lagos, London and Dubai.{{Cite web|last=Sunday|first=Odita|date=21 September 2022|title=1004 Estate Residents Bicker Over Electricity Crisis|url=https://guardian.ng/news/1004-estate-residents-bicker-over-electricity-crisis/|website=The Guardian (Nigeria)|language=en}} He is head of Igbo group, Ndigbo Royal Heritage Worldwide.{{Cite web|last=Onyejiuwa|first=George|date=11 May 2022
|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/igbo-group-to-hold-unity-carnival/|title=Igbo Group To Hold Unity Carnival|website=The Sun (Nigeria)|language=en}} He lost one of his best friends to COVID-19.{{Cite web|last=Okanlawon|first=Taiwo|date=11 May 2022
|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/04/18/popular-show-promoter-loses-friend-to-covid-19/?amp=1|title=Popular Show Promoter Loses Friend To COVID-19|website=P.M. News|language=en}} He has a collection of luxury cars.{{cite web | url=https://punchng.com/davido-mocks-paul-okoye/?amp | title=Davido mocks Paul Okoye | date=31 May 2017 }}{{cite web | url=https://autojosh.com/take-look-cars-owned-one-africa-music-fest-ceo-paul-o/ | title=Take a Look at the Expensive Cars Owned by One Africa Music Fest CEO, Paul O | date=17 September 2018 }} He is dating Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo.https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/stepmother-paulo-okoyes-daughter-praises-iyabo-ojo/{{cite web | url=https://punchng.com/happy-birthday-stepmother-paulos-daughter-hails-iyabo-ojo/?amp | title=Happy birthday 'stepmother', Paulo's daughter hails Iyabo Ojo | date=21 December 2022 }}https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/12/iyabo-ojo-celebrates-45th-birthday-unveils-identity-of-lover-paul-okoye/amp/