ROCHAS OKOROCHA

Long before he became Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha had already made a name for himself via his foundation as an advocate for free education for less privileged children. His foray into politics saw him unsuccessfully vying for the highest seat in the land several times. Not one to back down he went back to his roots where he was elected as Governor but notwithstanding still holding the dream of his initial ambition. Coming from a background, which he likes to describe as ‘’abject poverty’’, Rochas Okorochas’ life story is proof that success stems from a combination of grit, persistence, faith and most importantly, giving back. Recently he spent an afternoon with Konye Chelsea nwabogor reflecting on his life journey as he clocks 55.

First of all we would like to say a Happy birthday and congratulations as you clock 55. What does this age mean to you?

Thank you. well, today has me thinking about a lot of memories of the past and how it all started. I can only say to god be the glory because, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. The bad is: being that I come from a very poor home. I wish I had come from a rich family but I didn’t. I grew up in Jos; that’s where I had my primary, secondary and university education. Then I came into business. From business to politics and that’s where I am today. so, I thank god. The good side of it is that I have seen the mercy of god, coming from nothing to something. That, for me, is good. The ugly side of it is getting close touch with death and still being alive. The plane crashes and all of that.

Plane crashes, can you tell us about that?

yes. remember The nigerian airways plane crash in Kaduna? sometime in november 1995? It claimed well over 60 lives. I was in that plane when it crashed. The next one was a narrow escape and I thank god for that. It was the same Bellview plane that killed obasanjo’s wife in 2005. I had already gotten my boarding pass but for some reason, I walked up to the gate before I turned back.

Growing up in poverty must have been very hard. How exactly did you push through?

Though poverty was biting hard, it just wasn’t tougher than my will to be who I wanted to be. I’ve always had tall ambitions from my childhood. I’ve always dreamt of where I was going and I honestly didn’t see poverty as a clog in the wheel.

What was your first big break?

what really gave me my first real money was the Balanga alaphabetic Construction Company that had finished its contract of constructing the Balanga dam. we were to sell their used equipment. I was instrumental to selling the used equipment worth over n10million when one Us dollar equaled n1. That was how I made my 10% commission, one million Us dollars. I re-invested my $1million in the remaining goods. I sold them and made a lot of money. I had so much money then. Thereafter, I engaged in proper car sales. I was selling used cars and I went from there to selling brand new Peugeot cars. That gave me the first opportunity to supply the first 1,000 pick-ups and 1,000 private cars to the nigeria Police Force and they were dispensed across all the states in nigeria. That was in 1993.

The Rochas Foundation focuses strictly on providing quality education for less privileged children. Why the focus on this particular sector?

I went to school in very difficult circumstances. as a matter of fact, I almost missed school completely. My education wasn’t quite regular because I had to combine street trading with schooling. I changed from morning classes to afternoon classes to make ends meet so I understand the importance of education. Back then, I admired those who could speak good english and anytime I went to functions, I saw those who had gone to school standing out. and I would see those who had not gone to school looking at the educated ones as though they were gods. That was where the inspiration came from and I believe it’s still the best inheritance you can give a child. I said to god that if I were educated, I would help others to get education because I understand the pains of those who couldn’t go to school.

Via my foundation, I have built schools in different states in the country. we have also just built the rochas Foundation College for africa where we’re admitting five students each from all african countries. right now, I have had over 15,000 students. over 2,000 of them are graduates and another 1,000 are working in the Police and the army.

How has it been governing Imo state?

I don’t have any challenge at least, none that I know. This is so because before I became the governor, I’d expected much more problems than I found. remember I aspired to be the President and I’d pursued this ambition three times before I came back to become a governor.

So do you still want to be President?

yes, I still have the ambition to become the President of nigeria. I’m only respecting the gentleman called President Muhammadu Buhari whom I think has what it takes to change leadership in this country. and I’m waiting for his declaration, if he’s running, then I should support him.

With this in view, what’s 2019 looking like for you?

I have so many windows open in 2019 as I wait for Mr. President to make his declaration, I want to remain politically relevant and I also have made the decision never to watch my country sink. This I would do without losing my Foundation, which is a huge challenge on its own. If President Buhari declares to run for the office again in 2019 I will support him because the man has a character to develop nigeria. he has a thick skin that we need. we have a faulty foundation and I see President Buhari as that man who can build the solid foundation that we need upon which success and prosperity for the land shall be accomplished. and that’s where people like me would come in.

Though poverty was biting hard, it just wasn’t tougher than my will to be who I wanted to be. I’ve always had tall ambitions from my childhood. I’ve always dreamt of where I was going and I honestly didn’t see poverty as a clog in the wheel.

So how would you honestly rate your performance as a Governor?

I think I have scored 15 over 10. you may be surprised I’m saying this but you can ask me why and how. There’s no aspect of life in Imo state that I’ve not touched positively- infrastructure has been a lot better than what the state had, education is free from primary school to university, security is better, people now trust government unlike before, government is now closer to the people. I challenge any governor in this country dead or alive to dare say they’d performed better than me.

For every man, no matter what role he plays, there is usually a wife in the background giving him support and succor when the going gets tough. Most times, their roles as wives, is not given the credit it deserves. How did you meet your other half?

I met my wife one morning while I was driving a car I borrowed somewhere. I was driving early in the morning with my friends; we were coming from somewhere as early as 6am. we had just finished from a friend’s party and were returning home. Then I saw a young woman packing tomatoes by a van. I told my friends that she was my wife. The second time I would see her, I was in a bus and I saw the same young lady standing with her sisters. after then, anytime I saw her, stars that would pop out of my eyes as if I’d seen something that wasn’t normal. some time later I was invited to a send forth party by some lady who was travelling out of the country. she mentioned she was also inviting her cousins. when I got there, the same pretty girl I had being admiring from a distance, was also the cousin she invited. That was the end of the story. our courtship didn’t even last up to one week before we married. It was the fastest marriage I’d ever heard of.

What’s it like being married to her?

My wife remains the best thing that has ever happened to me. she’s god’s gift to me and I’m very blessed to have her. she has given me the best family you can think of in the whole world. she is also very selfless. Till date, she has built over 170 homes for the poor. she doesn’t believe in gold and all these frivolous things most women flaunt. our life together is one of service.

When and how do you find time to relax?

ask my son; he’s been with me for the past one week. I work till I climb up my bed and every day I close like 2:30am and wake up at 5am. I hardly have four hours of sleep in my life. I like it because it keeps me alive. I don’t do strenuous exercise. I believe that we should not sleep now because if we die we will sleep well. Those who sleep almost all day are the ghosts you see when they die because they’re still wandering around.

You have a distinct dress sense with a signature cap and muffler scarf. Why is this your chosen signature style?

of all my clothes, the muffler is the most important to wear because it’s a symbol of my stewardship to the state. It signifies my love for the ordinary people and if I don’t have it on, I feel naked. as long as it’s on me, I remember that every poor person should never be left unattended to. If I see little children, I must carry them, if I see widows. I must hug them because it’s the essence of life. I even worship with it.

Do you have any favourite meals?

I love vegetables a lot. I don’t eat rice, I don’t eat beef, I don’t eat garri, I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke. I also eat beans.

What are the likely five items you’d take along with you to a getaway?

My clothes, muffler, bible, toiletries, toothbrush. I am not really a phone person so you may be surprised that I may not even go with any.

Back then, I admired those who could speak good English and anytime I went to functions, I saw those who had gone to school standing out. And I would see those who had not gone to school looking at the educated ones as though they were gods... I said to God that if I were educated, I would help others to get education because I understand the pains of those who couldn’t go to school.