Charles Okpaleke (born March 14, 1983), popularly known as Charles, is a Nigerian health economist, Nightlife tycoon, Nollywood movie producer and businessman. He was born in Onitsha and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where he studied in his earlier years. Okpaleke worked as a consultant health economist for various governmental and non-governmental organisations including the United Nations and Family Healthcare International before co-founding the Play Entertainment Network in 2008, alongside his brothers Elvis and Jeffrey Okpaleke.
Video Charles Okpaleke
Early life and career
Charles Okpaleke was born in Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria to a family of four that would later grow to become a family of eight. His father, Late Julian Chukwuemeka Okpaleke was a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police in the Nigeria Police Force prior to his death and his mother; Florence Ngozi Okpaleke, remains a legal practitioner in Lagos Nigeria.
Okpaleke attended Kings College in Lagos where he graduated in 1999. He then proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus where he studied Medical Laboratory Science until 2005 when he obtained his Bachelor of Sciences degree. Between 2005 and 2006, Okpaleke landed a Housemanship Programme with the State House Clinic, Aso Rock, Abuja where he worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Convinced that his career path would be one in health economics, Okpaleke relocated temporarily to Birmingham, United Kingdom in 2007 to pursue a master's degree in Health Economics and Health Policy. He obtained his MSc in 2007 from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom and relocated back home to Nigeria shortly after to focus fully on his chosen career. Upon relocation, Okpaleke was offered a role in Health Economics with Family Healthcare International (FHI) on the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria (GHAIN) Project in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He worked on the GHAIN project from 2007 up until 2008 when he decided to include entrepreneurship to his portfolio by cofounding Play Sports Bar and Grill with his brothers.
Upon cofounding Play Sports Bar and Grill, Okpaleke decided to continue as a full-time health economist and full-time entrepreneur. This decision led him to join his alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, as a post graduate lecturer in the faculty of Health Sciences and Technology. Okpaleke continued as a lecturer from 2009 up until 2011.
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Business career
The Play Entertainment Network originally began as a Sports Bar in the heart of Wuse in Abuja, Nigeria in the year 2008. The Play Sports Bar enjoyed tremendous growth and popularity amongst the Abuja elite and with this growth came remarkable expansion that necessitated the birth of the Play Entertainment Network. The Play Entertainment Network now serves as a parent company to various businesses and elite nightlife destinations including Play Network Nigeria- a multidisciplinary networking hub for professionals and entrepreneurs, Play Lounge Abuja, Play Lounge Jos, The Underground Lounge Lagos, BLD by Play Restaurant Lagos, Shop and Play Abuja and Play Apparel among others.
In 2015, Okpaleke and his partners' secured intellectual property rights for the remake of historic Nigerian movie 'Living in Bondage', once again expanding his portfolio and introducing him into the Nigerian Movie Industry, Nollywood.
Brand affiliations
In 2017, Okpaleke concluded an endorsement deal with premium energy drink company, Cintron, as a Brand Ambassador in Nigeria. He was also appointed Brand Influencer for the Remy Martin global 'One Life' campaign in 2016.
Personal life
Family
Okpaleke married Ogochukwu Adimorah in 2013 in a white ceremony at the Church of Assumption Catholic Church in Asokoro, Abuja. Together, they have two children, a set of twins.
Philanthropy and memberships
In 2015, Okpaleke spearheaded an empowerment initiative, which he tagged 'Be a boss in 50 seconds'. This initiative targets young prospective entrepreneurs that require external funding, giving them an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a team of judges selected by Okpaleke from a host of relevant industries. At the end of each 'Be a Boss' cycle, the Play Entertainment Network funds the most reasonable business idea with no return on investment expected.
In 2016, Okpaleke was appointed the Chairman of the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, a post he held for a one-year cycle.
As far as political memberships and association are concerned, Okpaleke continues to refer to himself as a non-partisan individual, holding no strong political memberships or affiliations. To further establish his preference, Okpaleke created a youth forum in 2015 under the Play Network called P.L.A.Y. (Political Leadership Among Youths). From its inception till date, the P.L.A.Y. forum has encouraged youth participation in Nigerian politics regardless of sex, tribe, religion or political affiliation.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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