By MAX AMUCHIE and VIVIAN DANIEL
Passion for Rotary. Commitment to humanitarian service. Belief in family values. In addition, she’s a stickler for time. For her African time does not exist.
These and more define Princess (Dr) Joy Okoro, Dame of the Anglican Church and District Governor-elect of Rotary International District 9127.
Born about 62 years ago in Plateau State, Dame Joy Okoro hails from Anambra State by birth and was married to the late Senator Fidelis Okoro of Nsukka, Enugu State.
She is seventh in a family of nine children. Her parents of blessed memory were High Chief Louis Okorie Nwaogwu and Lolo Caroline Ifeonu Nwaogwu.
“My primary education started in Jos and then moved to Benue State, where one of my aunts of blessed memory resided. When she took me in to be with her, I continued my primary school there and moved to a secondary school, between Benue and Anambra States.
“It was a bit logical as the Igbo language was a problem for some of us. For that reason my parents decided for some of us to go and be with their relations to study in Ojiako Memorial Secondary School in Anambra State. I rounded off there and gained admission into the University of Maiduguri in 1981 where I studied sociology and anthropology,” she told Sundiata Post recently in an interview.
She granted the interview on a Wednesday just before the commencement of the fellowship of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama at Agura Hotel, where she spoke on her life journey and her vision for Rotary International District 9127 as she prepares to take over the mantle of leadership as District Governor in the 2025/2026 Rotary year.
What was your early career like, choice of serving with NTA and the overall experience?
As I left the university in 1985, I was earlier on posted to go and serve in Imo State but I eventually did my Youth Service in Abuja at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) because I got married and was redeployed to Abuja. Also, the norm back then was always to send corps members to go and teach in schools which I knew I couldn’t do because I did not have passion for teaching. So, on getting to NTA, I told them I wanted to serve with them. At first, they wanted me to write and report news stories in Igbo but unfortunately, I could not write or speak much in Igbo.
Knowing I was into debating activities during my secondary school days – going to other schools for one debate or another and having been an outspoken person helped me a great deal during my interview with them as they accepted me to do my NYSC there. In the mornings, we would have our editorial meetings where the schedules for each reporter including corps members would be given to us. I was always going out to cover events with a cameraman and then write the news stories thereafter. I had to learn on the job and when there was the need for voice-over, I equally did that as far back as 1986. I won an award for being “The Best Corp Member.” Although they wanted to retain me, there was an embargo on employment there at the time.
Luckily, I was a pioneer member of an agency the Federal Government set up to help unemployed graduates called the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) which was paying us N500 monthly where I got a one-time payment. Shortly after, I was asked to start up a cultural unit at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which was where I got formally employed. That was also when I started my civil service career. I came in as a Cultural Officer, Level 8 Step 2. My take-home was N315 per month. I moved on within the period. I am proud to say that when I joined the office, with my beautiful performance, I was part of the group that represented Nigeria in Japan in 1987, which was a huge plus for me.
After I worked for about three years, I went on to have my Master’s degree at the University of Jos where I studied International Relations and Strategic Studies. I was sponsored by the FCDA. I got back after two years and continued working and moved on to a Council. By then, the Cultural Unit I started had turned into a Council – Abuja Council for Arts and Culture with lots of activities. By then the seat of government was still in Lagos, so, most times we would host Heads of State, like when the then President Ibrahim Babangida would come to Abuja. We would have lots of jobs to do like bringing in cultural troupes, organising command performances, etc. I served there for about 10 years.
At a point, there was a need for staff to oversee the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies office, because, the then minister of the FCT, General J.T Useni was president of the Alumni Association. The association beckoned on him to give them an office in Abuja. That was how I became one of the staff to run the office as an administrative manager, even though I was still a civil servant. After serving there for about four years, I was recalled back to FCDA to work at the minister’s office (Architect Bunu) as an administrative officer. With the return to civil rule when General Olusegun Obasanjo became the president, I worked in different offices, from Maintenance, Parks and Recreation, Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency, back to the head office in the FCDA and finally to the FCT Water Board. Throughout these years, I moved from one level to the other, heading different departments, assistant director, and deputy director to becoming a director in the FCT Water Board – the first female director in the FCT Water Board. I was promoted again to become the Acting General Manager, FCT Water Board until I retired on 16 April 2022
When and how did you get into Rotary and what motivated you to join?
Maybe I would say I started getting close to being a Rotarian, as far back as 1976, when I was in secondary school when a group of Rotarians came to my secondary school and some of us got interested as they were talking about humanitarian service. As a secondary school child who depended on her parents for support, how can you offer humanitarian services when you don’t have enough and are still being fed, clothed? But somehow, I found a way out. I did what I call “sharing” as I had a fantastic parent who believed that they were not just about training or raising their children alone but others inclusive. So, I think the act of service came from my home, from watching my parents tend to others. It’s like something I was born with as I often wanted to share whatever I had because I was raised to always share with others. There, in my secondary school days, I could easily gather other students for one act or another. We also did our project by going to sweep the principal’s office and the staff room.
As the Rotarians came to speak with us, some of us joined them as Interactors. Whenever they were having a programme, we would go and sit beside them. All we knew was that in the end, we’ll eat very good food, and have good drinks whenever they come around. And, of course, they will always sponsor our trips back to our school.
At what point did you join Rotary formally?
I became a full Rotarian in 2005 and started with the Rotary Club of Asokoro. I served as the secretary and treasurer of the club. As Rotarians we strive to always have more members, so, after about seven years, the time came to set up the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, where I was nominated to charter the new club, that’s how I became the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama between 2012 and 2013/2014 as I served for a year and a half.
As Charter President of RC Abuja Maitama what were the challenges and how did you navigate through?
Chartering a club is one of the most difficult things one can do as a Rotarian because everything is new, fresh, and of course, you have to scout for members, get registered with the bank, get the constitution ready, the strategic plans, the bylaws, so, a lot is required of you. Usually, the Rotary year starts every July 1 but during my tenure, I served for a year and a half. It was not an easy journey. Being a civil servant and home builder, I had to combine everything.
Now, when I was in the Rotary Club of Asokoro, the meeting time was 4:30pm – 5:30pm but would extend beyond one hour that every fellowship meeting should be, usually. That was not easy for me as I had my husband who equally involved me in his business and this means that after I close from the office, I will go to his business, then Rotary fellowship and back home. But going for Rotary meetings was not easy at all because it was being held on Wednesdays and I am one of those who loves to go for mid-week service as an Anglican.
My husband of blessed memory was always more comfortable when I go for mid-week service than when I am in Rotary meeting. Knowing I had a husband who stood by what he wanted and said, I did not want any trouble from his side. Hence, I had to work on myself to cope with the situation. Sometimes, when I am at the Rotary meeting, I eagerly would jump out at particular times back home. When the issue of having another Rotary Club came up, which was Abuja Maitama, I decided to put the time for fellowship during lunch hour, so that I can always dash out during my lunch hour to have the fellowship, head back to the office and from the office I can go for mid-week service or back home, and in the end, my husband would not know I went for Rotary fellowship.
So, this is how it has been since 2012. We meet every Wednesday in Agura Hotel, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. That was how I played the trick on my husband. He will know that I went to work or for a meeting which never affected anything in our home. He later on joined Rotary and when he heard about my Investiture, he was involved in planning and organising of the event. He also won an award from the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama after I handed over as the Charter President the following year. He became very comfortable with my Rotary involvement and eventually became a Paul Harris Fellow.
What have been your most cherished and unforgettable moments and accomplishments counting from when you became the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama?
As I said earlier, starting a new club is not an easy task. So, it is something I can proudly say I made it happen. It’s like giving birth to a child and seeing the child grow. You will be excited to see what your child has become. The club has since then been growing with past presidents alongside wonderful cooperation from members in general.
It’s not like most other clubs where once a president finishes his or her tenure, he or she becomes inactive. In my club, the reverse is the case as most of the members look up to me, seeing that as a charter president I am still very active and have not given up which also serves as a huge encouragement to them. Whenever I travel, I will not hesitate to notify members of my club. It’s a thing of joy to see that a child I bore has grown and is still growing.
Today, we have over one hundred members and when counting the number of clubs, we are always being counted as one of the top clubs that are doing very well. Also we have sponsored three other clubs namely RC Asokoro Diamond, RC Asokoro Guzape and RC Wuse II.
That said, my most cherished moment is the fact that I have not given up which serves as a huge motivation to other members, meeting up with my yearly citations and our Seven Areas of Focus, being able to contribute to the Rotary Foundation and some of us are major donors. My club has also sponsored a teenager to study abroad. We have also contributed to the eradication of polio in Nigeria and many more projects my club has accomplished both during my time as president and since I left office.
As District Governor-Elect, what are your mandates?
The District Governor’s office extends far beyond a club president’s. You can imagine how long it takes for one to be nominated or appointed to such a position counting from 2012 when I became Charter President of RC Abuja Maitama. So, one must have gone through different stages. You have to be an assistant governor like I was for three years in a row where you will represent the District Governor to supervise other clubs.
In my first year as assistant governor, I was given three clubs to supervise. Second year, I was also given three clubs and by the third year, I was given two clubs to manage. I was a zonal coordinator, that is, coordinating clubs in the District. From there I became chair of some committees and a whole lot before you will have the courage to file in seeking to be a district governor. And mine didn’t come so easy irrespective of all I have done. I failed at my first filing in 2017. Did the second filing and failed as well, and then, in the 2022 Rotary year, I was nominated to serve as District Governor Nominee Designate. All I have done has been put together in a mini magazine.
I also want to disabuse the minds of those who think that Rotary is for the rich. In Rotary we have ‘3Ts’ which stands for Time, Treasure and Talent. So, if you can meet up with the three, all good and fine. For the ‘Treasure’, once you can meet up with the payment of your yearly dues you are good to go. You can give either your time or talent. But as a district governor, the three must be intact.
What should we look forward to during your reign?
My mandate as a District Governor is to make sure I grow Rotary. We have District 9127 now which has the largest clubs so far. There are some states where we don’t have the presence of any Rotary Club like Sokoto, Zamfara, Gombe, Yobe, etc. I will like to plant about two clubs in each of these states. In the states where there are out-of-school youths, we will find a way to educate them when we successfully plant a club there.
There is the mandate of giving to the Rotary Foundation through which Rotary International sponsors many humanitarian activities as well as giving us the global grants to execute projects. So, I will encourage all Rotarians to give to the Foundation to enable us to carry out the Seven Areas of Focus seamlessly. And, as a district governor, I will love to participate fully not leaving most of these to club members only so that our impact is fully felt across the states and communities.
There’s also the area of creating more awareness to strengthen the image and reputation of the Rotary Club in general. Because many people out there still don’t really know what we do and represent. Some assume we are like a secret cult. So. jingles will be done to be aired in media houses across the FCT and Nigeria, especially, whenever we organise training opportunities for Rotarians and about our other major activities. We have secured a venue for our upcoming training at the “National Institutes for Legal Studies” along the airport road, Abuja.
As others get older and would have to retire at some point, getting the “Rotractors” aboard when due is very crucial, so they can graduate to being full Rotarians.
What are the functions of Rotractors in the Rotary Club?
Like when I was in secondary school and was engaged in sweeping our principal’s office and staff rooms, Rotractors go to schools to oversee certain minor humanitarian activities. Some are still university students while others, even though may not be fully employed, desire to get involved in the service of humanity. We also have “Rotakids”, which allows opportunities for those in the nursery and primary schools to get involved in Rotary activities as early as possible. In a nutshell, we have different levels that lead to Rotary Club membership, i.e, Rotakids, Interactors, Rotractors and then to becoming a fully grown Rotarian.
Which areas in your years of service do you have regrets about or the areas you desire to do things better in the future as a Rotarian and District Governor eventually?
As I mentioned about creating more awareness regarding the overall Rotary public image, I will love to do more in this aspect. Again, I will love to give more attention towards eradicating Poliomyelitis. I will encourage members to give massively towards it. We must make sure no child is charged for vaccination. We are happy to have the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Federal Government supporting us, among many others.
Maternal and child health is very important to me as a woman which is one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus. Women are quite vulnerable and need adequate care. There is a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene focus where sanitary pads can be distributed to young girls who need them.
My early vision would be to have motorised boreholes across the states in District 9127, though I understand that security of the facilities may be challenging as they can be vandalised. Therefore, maintenance and sustainability will be factored into it and it should be given to the states and communities that really need them.
I must also mention that I will be strict on the time consciousness of all Rotarians. I don’t have to waste all the time in one project or meeting. People are fond of saying African time which I don’t know what they mean when they say that.
How were you able do raise funds for your projects previously and how do you hope to accomplish all you have set out to do when you become the District Governor?
Quite an interesting question. And, if I ask myself this question, I may not have a comprehensive answer also. Like I said earlier, a giver never lacks. I think it has been the grace of God that made it possible. During my husband’s time as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, they were so conscious of spending money.
So, being a civil servant and now retired was definitely not that helpful. But, somehow during my working years from my office, when I had the opportunity to travel for one function or another, I was always quick to set aside some money out of my allowance for Rotary Club activities. And that’s the way it has been, including when I paid to become a Paul Harris Fellow.
I have two cousins who are polio survivors, the reason why I understand the tragic effects of the disease. I am happy to say that I have also paid over US$33,000 into the Rotary Foundation. I am a Paul Harris Society member, a Polio Plus Contributor, a Benefactor, etc. It should equally be noted that as a Rotarian, you give (make donations) with your money. You don’t go about asking people or members for donations in this regard, otherwise you will lose your members.
Your family, religion and hobbies?
My husband of blessed memory was Senator Fidelis Chukwuemeka Okoro. I have four children, two are medical doctors and two are economists. Three are married and they have given me seven grandchildren.
I am Dame – a Knight and an Anglican. I am also a chorister in my church. I love music, especially, spiritual music. I like dancing and some sports. Long tennis is my favourite and I play it also, although, as an amateur..
What does It mean to be a Dame or a Knight?
It revolves around one’s life in the church as an Anglican, how active you are, your involvement and your contributions.
Seeing that your life as a Rotarian has, over the years, revolved around service to humanity – sharing and being there for others – what will be your advice to the public?
As a Christian, you should love your neighbour as yourself. God has given us so much but they are not meant for us alone. He has also not given to everyone equally. Everything we have was given to us by the Almighty, hence we should endeavour to share. Remember the saying “givers never lack.”
I normally tell people to “Share whatever you have with others.” If I could start sharing as an Interactor, who was dependent on her parents for feeding back then, and did not hold back what I had (and will not hold back) for myself, you can do the same and more.
