Giving is Not an Exclusive Right: The Inspiring Journey of Rtn. Ijeoma Pearl Okoro
In the vibrant city of Chennai, where tradition meets transformation, a remarkable Rotarian from Nigeria found herself amidst warm welcomes and inspiring conversations. Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, a Rotary Foundation Trustee with an extraordinary journey of service, was not just another distinguished visitor. She was the chief guest at the Rotary Club of Temple City’s Awards Night, bringing with her a wealth of experience and an infectious passion for community empowerment. As the evening unfolded, Past President Vidya Srinivasan seized a precious moment to delve deep into Pearl’s remarkable life story. Against the backdrop of a beautiful Chennai evening, an exclusive interview began – a conversation that would reveal the heart of a true humanitarian for the Voice of RID 3233 magazine.
”As the founder of the Romanus Emeanuru Foundation for Empowerment and Education Development (REFEED) in memory of your father, how has your personal story influenced your approach to women’s empowerment, and what specific initiatives have you found most effective in creating lasting change?”
I created the Romanus Emeanuru Foundation for Empowerment and Education Development in 2009 after the passing of my father, with whom I was very close. My late father believed in the girl child and encouraged me greatly. He helped me build contentment and the necessary confidence to stand on my own. In establishing REFEED, I saw the need to empower women to ensure they were relevant, resourceful, and dependable. I have established several micro-credit schemes for women to enable them to start small-scale businesses, and it has come with many testimonies. Indigent women are now able to support their husbands and families through these initiatives. I also encourage women, especially the aged, to take care of themselves in order to attain a healthy old age. I provide monthly stipends to some aged women to help support themselves.
”You were highlighted as one of the ‘five Rotary women leading the fight to end polio’ in 2019. Could you share a particularly challenging moment during Nigeria’s journey to becoming polio-free and how your diverse strategies helped overcome that obstacle?”
Oh yes… Ending polio in Nigeria and indeed Africa was a defining moment for me. Our most pressing challenge was diffusing the rumour and blackmail that vaccines make children impotent and were brought to reduce our population. We needed to launch a large-scale media campaign and create awareness using opinion leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, celebrities, government leaders, and politicians. We aimed to make ‘enough noise’ – and that worked, in addition to going to the most remote areas to ensure that the last child was vaccinated.
”With your background spanning theatre, management, and insurance leadership, how have these diverse experiences shaped your service approach within Rotary, particularly in your roles as RI learning facilitator and committee member?”
I have my first degree in Theatre, and as they commonly say, ‘The world is a stage, and all of us are actors.’
That background helped my versatility, boldness, creativity, and importantly, my ability to adapt – which is one of Rotary’s greatest priorities. As a training leader in my district, I introduced role-plays and skits as a way of learning and driving the message home. My advanced management training at Lagos Business School further enhanced my managerial skills, in addition to my hands-on experience as a General Manager of a publicly quoted insurance company. All of that blended to prepare me for the leadership roles I have taken.
”You’ve mentioned that ‘giving is not an exclusive right of the rich.’ Could you elaborate on this philosophy and share examples of how you’ve seen this principle transform communities through your work with the Rotary Foundation?”
When I served as District Governor for the year 2015-2016, I came out with the mantra: ‘Giving is not an exclusive right of the rich, it is for the living, the willing, and is given.’ This is because I realized that each of us is uniquely created by God Almighty with gifts that make us distinct from one another. I also realized that the greatest gift any human being can receive is the gift of waking up, which only God can give. It therefore behoves everyone who receives the gift of waking up to give back to God. Since we cannot see God, we need to give back to people and our community, which are all God’s creation. You do not need to be a billionaire to give. Give according to what you have, and no amount is too small. Besides money, you can give your time, talent, and human kindness. Just give and make it a daily habit. It’s not an exclusive right of the rich – the same goes for the blessings that follow.
”As someone passionate about preserving Rotary history and who led the creation of the Africa Zone group of the Rotary Global History Fellowship, what lessons from Rotary’s past do you believe are most relevant for empowering the next generation of female leaders in Rotary?”
I am glad we have finally produced the first female president in Jennifer Jones, and the second is currently serving in the person of Stephanie Urchick. These amazing women of repute, along with other ladies in Rotary leadership, got to their positions purely on merit and not as women. They have paid their dues, served their terms, been hands-on in service projects, and left their marks in the sands of time. History has shown that women in Rotary have remained resilient and consistent in their service to humanity, just as they are contributing in their chosen careers. Women in Rotary have introduced a lot of creativity and innovation to service, and that is helping Rotary reach the hearts of people around the world. I see further greatness, and history will record it too.
”Balancing your extensive Rotary commitments with your professional career, family life, and other volunteer work must be challenging. What advice would you give to women who aspire to create meaningful impact through service while managing multiple responsibilities?”
Oh yes, I call it the balancing art. As a career person, I attended many courses on work–life balance, which exposed me to valuable insights. For me, family is everything – everything begins and ends with family. Charity, they say, begins at home. You cannot give what you do not have, and your goodness must start from inside before you take it outside. I have my parents, my siblings, my husband, and my children to take care of. I made sure they understood my calling and I carried them along on my Rotary journey. They were all involved, and that made it easier.
In my workplace, I made my passion known to all. They had no doubt about my passion for Rotary, and I practiced humanity at work – in my relationships with colleagues, my boss and subordinates, my peers, my clients, and our stakeholders. I did not allow my Rotary involvement to distract me, and my job was my focus, my pride, and my commitment. I was dedicated to my job as an insurance professional and totally loyal to it.
I advise every woman to be true to themselves and ensure that charity begins at home. You must master the ability to adapt and carry your family along. You must build your confidence, learn to trust and depend on yourself, and be very content. You must put God first and have a deep understanding of your spirituality. God lives in you and around you, and if you put yourself in the right frame, you will hear from Him daily, and He will answer you anytime you call. God has been my greatest strength; His grace is sufficient, and to Him alone be all the glory!
