As a Senior Special Assistant to former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa on Health monitoring matters, Dr. Michael Nwoko never hid his loyalty as he had cashed in, on any available opportunity to propagate the policies of the administration, thereby adding value to the positive image of that government. To those close to him, the medical doctor who is a protégé of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko is also a dependable personality in the success story of the Senator as far as grass-root political mobilization and image management is concerned. His support for Ned is undiluted.
Born into the same Royal family (like Ned) of Idumuje – Ugboko Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, on 2nd March, 1980 Mike (as he is fondly called) is not just a consummate health care practitioner and Public health expert, but well grounded when it comes to grass root mobilisation. Like his cousin, Ned he has been an active member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999 and has supported the party to win elections in his ward and LGA.
His activism dates back to his undergraduate days when he was a Student’s Union leader at the University of Benin. Sequel to his resounding contributions in fighting for the rights of Students, he was nicknamed “Michael Power”. At that time, the young, dynamic and vibrant Michael alongside other progressives in the struggle formed the “Egalitarian Network” which was used in fighting for the emancipation of Students and youths in his community.
He was eventually nick-named “The Political Oshobe” by his cousin and mentor, Senator Ned Nwoko due to his sagacity and mobilization prowess which largely contributed in strengthening the health sector in Delta State through the Health Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism of the State Government in line with the Stronger Delta Vision of Okowa’s administration which ended in March, 2023.
Due to his brilliance, dynamism and commitment on any assignment given to him, Ned has found him a noble character that can always represent him in any forum, hence he occasionally delegates him to stand in, for him when occasions call for such. Michael proudly carries out such assignment with some finesse that befits what his cousin, the distinguished Senator Ned represents. A peep into his profile reveals that Michael served as Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor from August 2019 – May 2023 on Health Monitoring. Prior to that, he had served as Special Assistant (Special Duties) on Contributory Health Commission to the Governor April 2017 to May 2019.
Between 2000 and 2007, Michael had studied Optometry at University of Benin, Benin City and qualified as a Doctor of Optometry. In 2022 he was at Harvard Medical School in United States of America where he obtained an Advanced Certificate in Health Care Economics. Between 2020 and 2022, he was at Atlantic International University, Honolulu, Hawaii in America for a Doctor of Science Public Health programme. Michael had earlier obtained as Master’s degree in Health Planning and Management between 2019 and 2021 from University of Benin.
From 2018 to 2019, the young Michael Nwoko in search of greater knowledge was at various times participant in different university programmes. At University of Amsterdam he obtained Certificate in Media Ethics And Governance. He obtained Advanced Certificate in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, United States and at University of Pennsylvania, also in US, he got Certificate in Economics Of Health Care Delivery.
Besides his medical profession, Dr. Nwoko has also involved actively in political and civil rights volunteer services. In the political space, he was Ward 8 supervisor for PDP in the 2015 Presidential, Senatorial, House Representatives, State House of Assembly and Governorship Elections in Delta State. Between November, 2014 and January, 2015 he was a member, Medical Committee of the PDP Campaign Council. In the civil rights sphere, Michael was the National President, Leading Right Ambassadors Initiative Nigeria between October 2016 and December, 2018.
In December, 2018 he became a member, Zonal Campaign Council (South-South) of the Presidential Campaign organization of the PDP and was once again in 2019 a Member, Medical Committee of the PDP campaign Council Chairman, Medical Committee of PDP campaign in Aniocha North LGA, Chairman, Medical Committee of Aniocha North LGA campaign Council, Member, Electoral Committee/Presiding Officer, PDP National Convention from October 2021 to November, 2021.
Over the years, Dr. Michael Nwoko has been honoured with one award of excellence or the other. In December 2021, he was honoured by Grand Nigeria Business Awards for Contribution to the Health Care and Public Sector. In November, 2021 he got the Community Champion Award from Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Delta State, Nigeria. The Award was in recognition for the strong advocacy role he played for COVID-19 vaccination and sustaining efficient health administration in Delta State, Nigeria.
Africa Humanitarian Award by National Association of Post Graduate Students (NAPS) University of Benin Chapter was conferred on him in July, 2021 at
University of Benin.
Michael has other awards to his credit for his outstanding personality in different spheres. He also belongs to different professional groups among which are Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), United Kingdom where he holds fellowship and member, American Public Health Association (APHA), Health Care Committee of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, Texas, United States of America and Health Care Administrators Association, United States of America.