…Amen Okorocha Marks Birthday with Less Privileged

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The former First Lady of Imo State, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, has commended her son, Amen Okorocha, for celebrating his birthday with internally displaced persons and members of the physically challenged community at the Karonmajigi IDPs Camp in Abuja during an outreach organised by the Rochas Foundation.

Speaking with journalists, Mrs. Okorocha described the outreach as a touching and fulfilling experience, noting that her son chose to mark his birthday by giving hope to those facing hardship.

“I’m truly excited. Amen chose to celebrate with the less privileged, to make them feel important and loved. For me, it’s an awesome day, and to God be all the glory,” she said.

She added that Amen has always demonstrated compassion and a desire to uplift others.

“He’s a son with a very large heart. He loves God and loves people,” she said, noting that he intends to spend the following day in worship. She prayed that he would accomplish even more humanitarian work than she and her husband have done.

Reflecting on why her children have embraced philanthropy, she attributed it to early upbringing and divine guidance.

“From the beginning, God helped us raise them to understand that the essence of living is giving. Life without giving is no life,” she added.

She called on government and citizens alike to do more for vulnerable communities, noting that many people still lack essential needs and emotional support.

To young girls who look up to her, she advised: “Hold on to God. You may not see Him physically, but you can show His love through how you treat others.”

Amen Okorocha, who has supported the Karonmajigi community for over seven years, said spending his birthday with IDPs and persons with disabilities reaffirmed his commitment to promoting compassion and shared humanity.

“What we started years ago in this community continues to grow. Today was special. I came with my family to celebrate with physically challenged members of the camp, and what I met here touched me deeply,” he said.

He narrated how, after donating ₦1 million, members of the community spontaneously contributed tokens ranging from ₦200 to ₦1,000 to support one another—an act he described as a display of unity and love.

The outreach also featured the distribution of bikes, sewing machines, and other tools to help beneficiaries establish small businesses.

“We didn’t just want to give food for today. We wanted to leave them with something that can sustain them even after we leave,” he explained.

Amen assured that his humanitarian support would continue “as long as God continues to empower” him, stressing that nation-building is a collective responsibility.

Mohamed Pateni, Secretary of Persons With Disabilities in Karonmajigi, expressed gratitude for the continued support from the Okorocha family.

“For four or five years now, Amen Rochas has always been here to empower our people. He plays with us, dances with us, and supports us. We pray that God blesses him with long life and prosperity,” he said.

He also noted the long-standing partnership between the community and the Rochas Foundation, highlighting a skills acquisition centre built by the foundation that has trained more than 250 persons with disabilities in tailoring, computing, music, shoemaking, and welding.

Pateni acknowledged previous government support but said non-governmental organisations have been more present in the community.

“The government resettled us here, and they tried. But NGOs like the Rochas Foundation and Juremi have done a lot. We appreciate every effort and ask the government to do even more,” he said.