The Maris Trust Council (MTC) has said that the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., is living a life dedicated to service.
The organization made the observation in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Chief Kenneth Olise, Ph.D., and Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, respectively. The statement was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Asaba, Delta State, in celebration of the Deputy Governor’s 61st birthday.
The Deputy Governor will clock 61 years on Monday, March 30, 2026.
The Maris Trust Council noted that it was heartwarming to celebrate the birthday as it almost coincided with this year’s edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, which will hold on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, at 12 Noon.
”We are happy to say that the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., embodies a life dedicated to service, which is a life well-lived.
”We at MTC are delighted to celebrate Deputy Governor Onyeme on his 61st birthday anniversary.
”His birthday comes just a few hours before another edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
“We recall with nostalgia how Sir Onyeme, against all odds at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and with strict observance of health protocols, mounted the rostrum as the Keynote Speaker to address the world at Maris Lecture 2021.
“He spoke professionally on the topic, ‘Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends.’
”The then Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri, and Hon. (Barr.) Orezi Esievo were among the discussants at that lecture. Barrister Kennedy Kanma served as Chairman of the Occasion, and Dr. (Mrs.) Comfort Omon-Irabor, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hellyncom Eye Clinic, Warri, was the Mother of the Day.
”Prof. Kemi Emina was the Moderator at that well-attended lecture despite the pandemic, while Very Rev. Fr. John Konyeke was the Father of the Day.
”This Wednesday, another edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture will be held to the glory of God, and Sir Monday Onyeme shall be attending the lecture as the Guest of Honour.
”Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, CFR, is the Keynote Speaker and will speak on the topic, ‘Insecurity: Bane Of Nigeria’s Unity And Progress.’
”Described in some circles as a ‘security summit,’ Admiral Dele Ezeoba will be the Chairman of the Occasion. Rear Admiral Mike Ojinika Onah, OON, will serve as Father of the Day, and Princess Minnie Igbrude, Ph.D., as Mother of the Day.
“Security expert Barr. Mike Ejiofor, Prof. Hope Eghagha, Lady Rosemary Ogabu, Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, and Hon. Warri Ovoke will be discussants at the lecture.
”Prof. Kemi Emina will again serve as the Moderator at the lecture, which will hold at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, at 12 Noon.
”The Maris Lecture is held every Wednesday before Easter Sunday, and we are happy to extend our warmest felicitations to His Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., the Deputy Governor of Delta State, as he marks his 61st birthday.
”Sir Onyeme is a distinguished public servant whose commitment to societal development, transparency, and the upliftment of the downtrodden remains unparalleled.
”His life’s journey, from a consummate professional in the financial sector to a stabilizing force in the governance of Delta State serves as a beacon of hope and a masterclass in leadership.
”As he joins the ‘Diamond Plus’ club, we celebrate his intellectual depth, humility in power, and his tireless work alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in advancing the M.O.R.E. Agenda for all Deltans.
”We pray that Almighty God continues to grant him robust health, divine wisdom, and the strength to serve the people for many more years to come.
”Happy 61st Birthday, Sir!” MTC said.
About Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., Guest of Honour at the 2026 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture:
Chief (Sir) Monday John Onyeme was born on 30th March, 1965 at Ibabu, Onicha Ukwuani in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. He holds the prestigious traditional title of Odoziani 1 of Ibabu Kingdom and has had a ‘lion’s share’ of outstanding accomplishments in life.
He spent some of his life in the northern parts of Nigeria where he obtained his First Primary School Leaving Certificate in Army Children School, Sokoto, Sokoto State. Due to his excellent grades in his GCE O’ Level he was admitted to study Accounting at Federal Polytechnic, Kaura-Namoda, Zamfara State, where he came out with a distinction grade in his National Diploma before proceeding to University of Calabar.
A ‘Malabite’, as graduates of the University of Calabar are called, he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Accounting in 1990.
The icing on the cake in his professional pursuit was when he became a Chartered Accountant in 1993. He then proceeded to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba where he received a Diploma in Computer Science in 2002. His wealth of knowledge subsequently prospered beyond the shores of Nigeria. He was at the Northumbria University in the United Kingdom (UK), where he bagged a certificate in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The Northumbria University later awarded him a Masters of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Business Management; and, it was not just an M.A degree as this came with a well-deserved commendation from the Newcastle-based university.
He was the Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), a position and responsibility he discharged faithfully when he was appointed in September 2006. Before then, he was the Bursar of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba between November 2005 and September 2006. While at the institution, the handling of its finances was in safe hands under his watch as Chief Accountant.
Before higher positions came his way, he had climbed the ropes in professional practice as an Assistant Chief Accountant (Head, Finance and Supplies) at the National Agriculture Land Development Authority, Asaba between July 1996 and October 2000 and was Chief Accountant at Octopus Continental Enterprises, Lagos between July 1995 and June 1996.
Between September 1993 and June 1995, he was the Senior Executive Assistant (Audit) at Commercial Trust Bank, Lagos as well as worked in the audit department of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), in its Lagos Office between February 1992 and August 1993.
He also had a feel of the academic world as an Assistant Lecturer, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State from October 1991 to January 1992. Moreover, he rubbed minds with national and global counterparts through attendance of trainings, seminars and workshops locally and internationally. These took him to foreign climes like Dubai, Sudan, Florida, Texas, London, Oxford, Mauritius, Paris, South Africa, India and many other places.
Sir Onyeme has various publications to his credit, including one he displayed his research prowess, titled “Corporate Environmental Accounting and Reporting in the United Kingdom: A Survey of Selected Companies in Cumbria (2004).”
His professional warchest includes membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria.
A fraud buster, he is also a member of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Sir Onyeme, a Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) as well as a noble Knight, was appointed as the Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) on September 30th, 2015 to September 30th, 2019. As a result of his contributions to the optimal increase of the Internally Generated Revenue Service of the State and his commitment to service delivery, he was reappointed by the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, as Chairman, Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS).
In 2021, observing all Covid-19 protocol, Sir Onyeme was the Keynote Speaker at the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture where he spoke on the topic, “Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends
Sir Onyeme is a philanthropist, a humanitarian who is a committed member of the International Association of Lions Club where he was the District Governor 404A1, International Association of Lions Clubs Nigeria between July 2018 and July 2019 where his contributions towards the betterment of humanity and his legacy projects for the good of the society still speak volume and continue to attract various awards.
Sir Onyeme is married with five children. He speaks English Language, Ibo, Ukwuani and Hausa fluently. For these rare qualities, which he possesses in quantum, and for his level-headedness and determination in pursuit of success, his trajectory has lined with lofty achievements.
