It is an undeniably fact that my contribution in the educational sector of Kano state is neither new nor coincidental and this as a result of my involvement or contribution in education in the state more than four decades ago.
More so, the long term lecturing experience I acquired when I was moved from the Triumph Publishing Company, Kano to the Kano State Polytechnic in 2012 was one more added advantage.
These multiple experiences in the educational sector have equipped and prepared me to see the value in a huge amount of energy and hard earned resources of any individual or groups that are supplementing the efforts of that of the present and past governments in the educational development of Kano state.
Without doubt, the historical trajectory of the educational advancement in Nigeria, Kano state inclusive, has shown that no single individual, living or dead, has committed his resources to the upliftment of the educational standard of ordinary people than Rochas Okorocha.
Notwithstanding, the divergences of opinion about Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (Dan Jikan Sokoto), who is the Grant Commandant of Free Education in Africa, the reality stays that he is one individual that merits open tribute for his valiance and solo exertion in the educational development not only in Kano state, the country but in Africa as a whole.
Okorocha, a profoundly empathetic and sympathetic character is somebody who is really showing his charitable motion and desires to improve the existences of impoverished chidren in his region as well as in the sum of Nigeria and African any place they are.
Unlike many others who pay only lips service to educational development in their communities, Rochas Okorochas’s case is different as his interest, love and passion to educate every indigent, poverty stricken and crafty child who is within the age bracket, regardless of their nationality, religion, clan or geological zones in Africa is generally recognized.
This feat he has sustained for many decades through his foundation namely Rochas Foundation Colleges.
The foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization, with a firm commitment and strong obligation to serving mankind and builds a credible and tenable future for Africa by guaranteeing that each less favored youngster from any locality or state or background has access to comprehensive and qualitative education.
A two term governor of Imo state, Okorocha is a young Nigerian politician of Igbo extraction, from Imo State. He was a senator in the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Imo West Senatorial District at the 9th Nigerian Senate.
Like he did in other states or geographical zones, Okorocha was in Kano some decades ago and acquired vast premises of the former Herwa Clinic in No Man’s Land, along Airport road, Kano which he converted to school.
To accommodate more students, he built more structures as classes with offices for teaching and non-teaching staff.
Okorocha spent a lot to furnish all the classes including the staff rooms and that of the offices of the heads of the school.
With the assistance of some experts and those from the ministry of education, Kano, he recruited the best brains as workers, teachers and heads of the school to pilot the affairs of the institution.
The school, like many others, has two sections; the Junior and Senior Secondary Schools with student’s strength of about 647 boys and girls.
Okorocha did not stop there, as every admitted student was given a set of free uniforms, free exercise books, free textbooks, free sandals, free sucks, free bags etc.
He also provided the students with free breakfast at every school day and sometimes doles out pocket money for all the students.
Similarly, Rochas Okorocha also spends millions of Naira to pay External Examinations fees for all the successful graduating students and also pays for their JAMB exams fees too.
Okorocha also supports every student that graduated from his schools with a token amount as a grant to continue his or her education.
After completing their studies, Rochas also provides jobs to some of them while he secures jobs for others elsewhere.
A distinguished man of high reputation, Okorocha believes that “Every child counts” and has several opportunities and avenues in life if properly educated.
This and many more gestures earned him respect, recognition and a lot of awards not only in Nigeria but Africa as a whole.
In Ogun state for instance, Rochas Okorocha was given chieftaincy title of the Otunba Asoludero of Iselu Kingdom for his philanthropy.
The Ogun monarch made this known personally and explained that the recipient of the title has over years and exemplified a track record of unifying people of different tribes across the country through his actions, deeds, and philanthropic gestures.
“We hold Senator Rochas Okorocha in high esteem for that which he recorded in Imo state as a former governor and the lofty heights he has attained through the Rochas Okorocha Foundation has offered no fewer than 25,000 less privilege and orphans free scholarship from primary school to university education.”
“We are optimistic that this new task will set Oja Odan, Ogun State, and by extension Yoruba land into greater heights,” he said.
The Eselu also revealed that Okorocha has pledged to establish a school in the border town for the less privileged and orphans, a gesture he said would help improve the standard of education within and around the town.
Rochas Okorocha also bagged another traditional title in Daura, Kastina State, from the Emir in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s homestead is a bridge builder.
Chief Rochas Okorocha also bagged the title of Dan Jikan Sokoto by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar for the same act of philanthropy.
He is a holder of many awards including that of ‘Leadership par Excellence’ Award by The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and many others.
For his contribution to nation building in various parts especially education and many more in our society, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha is honored as my 2024 Man of the Year.
Allah ya kara budi, amen.
