[1] Okeke was born in Umudioka, Anambra State and ordained to the priesthood on 11 July 1981 by cardinal Francis Arinze, who was then the Archbishop of Onitsha.

[2] After his ordination, he worked as a parish vicar at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, under Emmanuel Otteh.

[4] Presently, he is the chairman of the Catholic Bishop's Conference commission on Seminaries.

[12] Through the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Foundation (AVOF) he is able to send young ambassadors of good will to countries like Ghana.

When the Schools were eventually returned by the Governor Peter Obi-led administration,[14] Archbishop Valerian spearheaded the massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of Mission schools which were taken away from the Church by the military government after the civil war.