The Igarra community in Edo State, the south-south of Nigeria, experienced an unprecedented burst of economic activity in the first week of January 2022 as people from various walks of life and from different parts of the country flocked to the quiet community.
They were there to celebrate the CEO of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Asishana Okauru, on her 60th birthday.
Perhaps most fascinating was that the week-long activities, organized from January 4-8 to commemorate the event, were solely for community empowerment; a departure from the usual party for this type of event among Nigerians.
Director General of NGF, Asishana Okauru and wife, Ifueko Okauru, former President of FIRS
For Mr. Okauru, these programs were planned for Igarra because, according to him, the community has helped him tremendously in his progress in life.
“The connection to my community is well grounded and I think the fact that I was programmed to do a number of things within an ethical environment played a huge role and as a way of giving back,” Mr. Okauru told PREMIUM TIMES. . .
“I’m just trying to tell young people that this is a way,” he added.
His wife, Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, a former president of the Federal Internal Revenue Service, said the activities were planned for the community as a way of thanking God for the life of a dear husband.
In addition to the guests who came to support him, his family and people in the community seemed to have accepted Mr. Okauru’s vision of giving back to society.
This was demonstrated on the first day of the event, when the crowd at his family’s home was seen diligently performing various roles: cooking, sorting accommodation, transporting guests from one place to another.
Until late at night, almost everyone deliberated on the day’s activities and redesigned the strategy for the next day, a ritual that continued until the last day of the event.
There was more. The following day, more than 50 community residents volunteered to serve in various roles to make the events possible.
Donations to the widows of the Igarra community
With this passion, the events began with donations of rice, oil and other food to more than 500 widows and some other households. Similar donations were made to the general hospital and the community primary health center.
On another day, around 300 women attended different sessions given by around six resource people who taught them how to develop and maintain a positive spirit, self-confidence, how to deal with gender-based violence and how to have a balanced life between family and career. .
The youth were taught the secrets to success, the importance of making the right decisions, the importance of education, alternative career options, and how to become a positive influence in the community.
They were also brought through the destructive effects of drugs, alcohol addiction, and gambling.
Participants in the photography training session
An award-winning photographer, Paul Odijie, through the invitation of Mr. Okauru, was there to teach young people how to tell stories with photography.
After the training, Mr. Okauru donated two cameras to the participants who divided into two groups.
As a climax to the activities, adults and young people received free medical check-ups by specialists, including surgeons, dentists and ophthalmologists. There were 62 health workers and the medical mission lasted two days.
Chair of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi with Okaurus
Later there was a thanksgiving ceremony attended by Ekiti State Governor and NGF Chairman Kayode Fayemi and Edo State Health Commissioner Obehi Akoria.
Another fascinating attribute of the Okaurus is their devotion to God and their inclusiveness as they invited Christian and Muslim leaders to another prayer session.
Tributes and prayers for Okauru
Jimmy Imo, Abuja’s special adviser and liaison officer to the governor of Imo state, said at the event that he is a trainee of Mr. Okauru.
He thanked Mr. Okauru for his mentorship over the years which he said has gotten him to where he is today.
Mr. Okauru’s daughter, Shana, said she appreciates her father’s love, which she described as “gentle, kind and unconditional”.
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He said he admires his father’s “leadership, optimism, perseverance and humility” and cherishes every moment he shares with him.
Mr. Okauru’s chief of staff, Ayo Daisa, described him as a “philanthropist and a humble person with a good heart.”
His niece and nephew, Ometere and Samuel Onyanna, recalled the period when Mr. Okauru was at his side when his mother died. They said they have been inspired by the humility and generosity of the man.
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Mr. Okauru was born on January 7, 1962. He has two bachelor’s degrees: one in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and the other a law degree from the University of Ibadan.
He also earned a joint master’s degree in Business Administration and Information Sciences from North Carolina Central University and another in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
He once worked as a taxi driver and security guard while searching for different degrees and certifications.
Mr. Okauru previously worked at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and also as a pioneer director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, before becoming director general of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
He had the option of bringing together powerful Nigerians, including state governors, for dinner and wine with him in Abuja, where he works and lives, but he chose to travel to his Igarra community in Edo to celebrate his birthday in a unique way with his people.
Such a mindset, according to family, friends and coworkers, speaks volumes about the kind of man Mr. Okauru is.