Lady Franca Ngozi Okonkwo (née Ikebuilo) was born in November in Ichi, a prominent town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. She is the beloved daughter of Chief Maduka Ikebuilo and Lady Veronica Ikebuilo, a highly respected family noted for their strong cultural values and community leadership.
Growing up in Ichi, Lady Franca attended her early education in her hometown, where she imbibed the values of hard work, compassion, and service. At a young age, she married Chief Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, KSC, OFR, famously known as Emma Bishop Okonkwo—an accomplished businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, and founder of the Ekulo Group of Companies.
Together, Lady Franca and Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo have built a strong, loving family and are blessed with wonderful children who are successful in their own right, continuing the family’s legacy of excellence across various fields.
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Career and Business Ventures
Lady Franca Ngozi Okonkwo plays a significant leadership role within the family’s business empire. She is a Director at Ekulo Group of Companies, a major conglomerate with diversified interests spanning manufacturing, trading, distribution, and real estate.
She currently oversees the operations of the Ekulo Plaza at Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State—one of the busiest and most strategic commercial hubs in Nigeria. Under her management, the plaza has thrived as a center of vibrant trade, fostering numerous business opportunities for Nigerians and international traders alike.
Her management style is noted for its warmth, discipline, and dedication to maintaining high standards of customer service and organizational efficiency.
Philanthropy and Community Service
Beyond her business engagements, Lady Franca has a deep passion for charity work, especially in areas involving children and the less privileged. As a devoted mother and matriarch, she has dedicated much of her time and resources to uplifting disadvantaged groups.
Lady Franca is known for her personal visits to orphanages, children’s homes, and community centers where she donates generously, organizes outreach programs, and shares moments of encouragement with those in need. Her efforts are motivated by a profound belief in giving back to society and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has a chance at a better future.
She is particularly involved in initiatives that focus on child welfare, education, and healthcare, quietly sponsoring several community projects without seeking publicity.
Personal Life and Interests
Lady Franca is a woman of grace, discipline, and vibrancy. She enjoys working out, reading, and homekeeping, seeing physical fitness and mental development as integral parts of a balanced life. She also treasures family gatherings and takes great pride in nurturing close-knit relationships among her children and grandchildren.
She is widely admired for her humility, elegance, and unwavering support for her husband’s philanthropic vision.
Family
Lady Franca Ngozi Okonkwo and Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Okonkwo are blessed with children who have pursued professional excellence and entrepreneurial success, following in their parents’ footsteps. Some of their children are actively involved in managing and expanding the Ekulo Group, contributing new ideas and energy to its continued growth.
Their family remains one of the pillars of the business and philanthropic community, both in Anambra State and across Nigeria.
Honors
Through her role as a wife, mother, business executive, and philanthropist, Lady Franca embodies the virtues of service, leadership, and compassion. She has been honored by various organizations for her contributions to community development and her steadfast support for women’s and children’s causes.
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