Engr. Okoene had his engineering training at the University of Technology, Loughborough, England, where he obtained the B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1970. He is a COREN registered Mechanical Engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), a Chartered Engineer (C. Eng.) of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, England and a member of several other professional bodies. He also attended numerous training and management development courses in Nigeria and in some of the most prestigious institutions in America and Europe.

Engr. Okoene has vast experience in human resource management and development, oil and gas facilities design, project management, construction and commissioning; acquired in Shell Nigeria and The Netherlands, in a career spanning over 30 years. He was Engineering Manager, Eastern Division of SPDC from 1993-97; Chief Engineer from 1989-1993 and Head of Engineering Planning/Design/Technical Services and Engineering Job Development Adviser from 1983 - 1986. He was also the Production Projects Supervisor between 1986 and 1989 at Assen, The Netherlands. Between 1970 and 1983, he was variously a Field Engineer, Production Facilities Engineer and Head of Production Facilities Planning, Design and Construction. In 1997 he was appointed as Manager, Corporate Recruitment, Training & Education, where he helped set up two Training Schools for SPDC. He retired from Shell in 1999.

At various times, Engr. Okoene served as a member of the Board of Faculty of Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, as an external examiner to the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri and as Chairman of the subcommittee on CPD of Nigerian Society of Engineers. He is widely traveled and has numerous publications in local and international journals to his credit.

On retirement, he established Aira Nigeria Ltd; - a plastics manufacturing company and an ultra modern guest house complex – De Orchard. He is Chairman/MD of both companies. He joined the Board of Directors of Project Masters and was elected Chairman in January, 2001.

Engr. Okoene is aged 68 years, married with children.