Rochas Okorocha is a Nigerian politician, former Governor of Imo State, businessman, and Senator. He is the sole founder and owner of Rocha Foundation, a company whose primary aim is to provide free education for African children.
Early life
Rochas was born on the 22nd of September 1962 in Ogboko, Ideato South, Imo State. He was born into a low-class family and he always described his early growing years as a time filled with hunger, lack, and want. His father is from Imo State while his mother is from Anambra State.
Education
Rochas attended Juldaco High School in Jos from 1976 to 1981. After his high school education, he proceeded to the University of Jos, where he studied Public Administration and got a diploma. After a few years, he went back to the University to get a higher diploma certificate in the same course.
Personal life
Rochas is married to Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha and together they have six children, three boys and three girls, which are: Uloma Rochas Nwosu, Uju Rochas-Anwuka, Uchechi Rochas, Aham Rochas, Amen Rochas, and Amam Rochas. Two of his daughters, Uloma and Uju, are married.
Career
Rochas began his Political career and ambitions as Federal Character Commission and a member of the National Constitutional Conference.
He served as a Commissioner on the Federal Character Commission and was also a Member of the National Constitutional Conference. When democracy was restored in 1999, he contested in the primaries to become the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Imo State, but he lost to Achike Udenwa. After that, he joined the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and ran for the party’s presidential nomination, but a disappointing result in the primary in 2003 ended his ambition.
Later, he then returned to PDP, and President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Special Adviser on Inter-Party affairs.
Rochas Okorocha established the Action Alliance (AA) party in 2005 to run for president under the AA in the 2007 elections. However, he later re-joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and expressed interest in becoming the PDP National Chairman in September 2007.
When Governor Ikedi Ohakim switched from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the PDP in July 2009, Okorocha debunked claims that Ohakim had taken over the PDP in the state. He assured that Ohakim was made a leader due to his position as governor.
Okorocha, a former member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), switched to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to contest as an APGA candidate for Imo State Governor in the April 2011 national elections. However, he faced suspension from the party in December 2010 over allegations of anti-party activities and misconduct. Despite this problem, Okorocha continued his campaign as an APGA candidate and emerged victorious. Later in 2013, he joined the All Progressive Congress.
The gubernatorial elections held on 26th April 2011 in Imo State were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to irregularities in the collation of results. INEC ordered reruns in four local government areas and one ward, which were later held on 6th May 2011, except for Oguta local government area where the elections were canceled due to security threats.
The final results showed that Okorocha of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won with 336,859 votes. He was followed by the incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 290,490 votes, while former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) came third with 107,068 votes. President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Okorocha on his victory, stating that the people of Imo State had spoken through the ballot box. Alliance (APGA) won with 336,859 votes.
He was followed by the incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 290,490 votes, while former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) came third with 107,068 votes. President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Okorocha on his victory, stating that the people of Imo State had spoken through the ballot box.
The governorship polls held in Imo on April 11 were declared inconclusive by INEC. This led to the cancellation of elections in over 250 polling units spread across 23 out of the 27 local government areas. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Gabriel Ada, has listed the state constituencies affected by the re-run, which are Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Oguta, Owerri West, and Oru East. He explained that the electoral commission ordered a re-run for the governorship election due to the 79,000 difference between the votes scored by the leading and the second candidates.
During his tenure as governor, Rochas Okorocha gave an interview on Channels Television in which he used the word “iberiberiberien” to describe his projects. The term “iberiberism” comes from the Igbo language and means stupidity or foolishness. This caused a lot of media attention. He also attended the 2019 Igbo Day celebration in Owerri, where the Imo State Government awarded him for his contributions.
On March 2, 2013, Rochas led a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). Later, he was elected by his fellow governors in opposition as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.
Towards the end of his tenure as governor, Okorocha selected his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, who was serving as the Chief of Staff, as his preferred candidate to run for the office of governor under APC. But unfortunately, Uche Nwosu lost the party’s governorship ticket to Senator Hope Uzodinma. Following his loss, Uche Nwosu defected to the Action Alliance (AA) party and became their governorship flag bearer.
On March 1, 2019, APC suspended Rochas and Amosun for engaging in anti-party activities, which the party members didn’t fancy.
During the 2019 National Assembly elections, the Imo West Orlu senatorial zone had a controversial result for the senatorial ticket. The winner who was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had his name removed from the final list because it was allegedly declared under duress. Despite this, INEC issued a certificate of return to him on June 11, 2019, after the inauguration of the 9th assembly of the Nigerian Senate, thereby making him the winner of the Imo West senatorial district elections. He was subsequently sworn in on June 13, 2019, by the Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
In 2015, he contested under the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the presidency seat. He has declared his intention to contest again for the same office under the same umbrella in 2023.
Philanthropy
Rochas is the sole owner and CEO of Rochas Foundation, a non-profit organization whose primary aim is to meet the needs of people. This Foundation has a lot of schools under it that provide Nigerian citizens with standard education that will enable them to become the leaders of tomorrow that they ought to be. These schools were established specifically for children who do not come from rich or financially stable backgrounds or may not have easily accessible material to have a good education. Rochas ‘s Foundation also gives students scholarships, and these scholarships cover the students’ school fees, books, school materials, and generally everything needed to go to school.
Other business ventures
Due to the unfavorable circumstances surrounding Rochas ‘ early life, he started working to survive at the early age of 19. He started his wealth journey by selling groceries (not garri, yeah laugh it out), in Barjin Ladi, Jos State. He continued working hard as a young man and by the age of 23, he became the head of an average school that was affordable to parents that couldn’t afford expensive schools. It could be said that it was from this endeavor that Rochas got the passion to see children get the best education that was necessary. Also, at the age of 23, Rochas started a cement-making industry in Gboko State.
Rochas continued venturing, working, and serving in different capacities and these capacities include:
- President of the Red Cross Society: An organization with the primary aim of assisting Nigerian citizens during times of peril
- Rochas Group of Companies Limited: This company has other categories such as business ventures, real estate, hospitality, and construction.
- Pro-Chancellor, African Business School: He held the position of Pro-Chancellor at the African Business School, an institution focused on providing business education and training.
- Former Chairman, Board of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency: Rochas served as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, which oversees the management and control of Nigerian airspace
Awards and Honours
Rochas Okorocha has received a few awards and honors for his contributions, achievements, and unwavering patriotism to his country and State. These awards and honors include
- The International president WHO IS WHO awards. This award was given based on the ground of his Philanthropic deeds and leadership qualities.
- The Stand of Fame Award. It was stated by Pearl Ojoma that Rochas is the 4th Nigerian to receive this award.
- Leadership par Excellence. This award was given to him by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.
Net worth
Rochas has amassed his wealth through his diligence, hard work, and unwavering drive to succeed. His investments and foundation have proven to be prosperous and promising, contributing positively to his accumulation of wealth. Rochas is estimated to have a net worth of 1.4 billion US dollars.
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Written by Dike Ijeoma
