A Searchlight on Joel-Onowakpo, the Delta South APC Senatorial Candidate
He was born like every other Niger Deltan child of his time. He faced deprivations but as a creature that is headed for the top, he confronted his challenges with iron steel resolve and conquered. That was many years ago.
Today, as a result of his towering achievements in both business and public sectors, there is a veiled agreement among Deltans with critical minds that he is a man of honesty, integrity, sincerity and performance.
In a similar style, while many of his compatriots in the Delta South Political sphere insist that he is the best man to represent the district in the forthcoming Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly, others refers to him as the rising sun of Delta South political order. To the rest, he is a political assert that should be encouraged for greater heights not just within the district but at both state and national levels.
His name is Hon. Joel Onowakpo Thomas popularly known as (JOT). He is a leader, father, tutor, chartered accountant and frontline Senatorial aspirant for Delta South Senatorial District for the Saturday February 25, 2023, on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Born on the 27th of April, 1967 in Emede town, Isoko South L. G. A of Delta State. 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 Ekeremore also in Bayelsa State.
Joel Onowakpo Thomas completed his Secondary Education in Emede Grammar School in 1984 Between 1985 and 1989, he worked as a sales boy accountant, clerk, and cashier in okwegbe and sons Ltd, Oleh in Delta State. From there he proceeded to Lagos in 1990 to start his professional career with (ICAN) under the accounting technician scheme and became a member in September 1991. He works briefly with MUKDAP Nig. Ltd before joining Onothome, Ofo Thirlwell and 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 and CO. A professional and consultancy outfit that for 8years won the prestigious Nigerian Stock Exchange Merit Award for Quality Audit Reporting and Depth of Information Provided in Annual Account. But because of his drive for a good academic career, he furthered his studies by taking Masters’ Degree in Technology Management which he completed in the Year 1999 at Ogun State University Ago iwoye and thereafter became a fellow of the chartered institute of taxation of Nigeria.
Joel Onowakpo Thomas (JOT) aside from his professional career and private life before venturing into politics was group chairman of Elomaz Holding which Comprises Elomaz Nigeria Limited, Elomaz Mining, and Exploration. Limited JOS and Weimog Technologies Limited, a computer and telecommunications outfit among others. He is also the Vice-Chairman of Elomaz Nigeria Investment Limited.
Hon. Joel Onowakpo Thomas is also a philanthropist whose main goal is to help the less privileged. He is the founder of Ithihikpebe Campaign Organization and its empowerment wing which in turn in modern-day Elomaz Foundation’s vision mission and goal are to empower the less privileged, render selfless services such as free jamb lectures, scholarship, textbooks, notebooks micro-credit, vocational training and starter pack for employment graduate.
Hon. Joel Onowakpo Thomas’s contribution to accountancy and community development lead to including him in the “Who is Who in the 21st Century 2nd edition” by the International Biographical Centre Cambridge, England.
He was also a recipient of the Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2004 and has since received several other awards too numerous to mention. Hon. Joel Onowakpo Thomas’s quest for knowledge has led him to so many local and international courses in management and sustainable development which include: the University of Edinburgh Business SchoolAnd Coventry University.
As of today, he has presented so many papers on taxation, technology, acquisitions, and sustainable management strategies
He was a Caretaker chairman in Isoko South Delta State and his contribution and manner of handling local and administrative issues attracted several recognition from the local and international scenes, as a result of the astute leadership qualities he was served as Taxation of Nigeria in different capacities such as Member Professional conduct and building committee, he also served as chairman technical appraisal committee and (TIN) Tax identification number.
His distinguished leadership acumen demonstrated in his private life and his ability to manage Isoko South Local Government Council despite dwindling allocation attracted the state government in 2009 when he has appointed as Executive Chairman Board of Internal Revenue a position he held till 2015 and was able to raise the IGR from 1B to 5.74B Monthly.
His achievement at Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Include The World-class Revenue office in Asaba, Agbor, Oleh, Ughelli Ozoro, and a 6-story neutral model Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Headquarters and Zonal offices in the state.
This achievement trigger the federal government and appoint him as federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Co-ordinator in 2016 Co-ordinating Rivers, Edo, Delta where he work as a team with the expert in taxation and recorded the Nation 4.03trillion in 2017 before his resignation to contest the 2019 Isoko Federal House of Representative Election.
Hon. Joel Onowakpo Thomas (JOT) is married and blessed with 3 lovely children. Joel Onowakpo Thomas enjoys playing golf, traveling, meeting people, and listening to good music.
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