Arrangements have been concluded for the presentation of Rotary International’s Excellence in Community Development award to United States-based Nigerian philanthropist, Dr. Joseph Ohens by the Rotary Club of Akowonjo on Monday, 30th October at Lagos Airport Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja from 7 pm.
According to a statement by the club, which is under the jurisdiction of Rotary International District 9110, the “award to the proud son of Ikiewanlen-Opoji of Edo State is for distinguished individuals in community development which is one of the very important seven areas of focus of the Rotary International”.
The club further said: “Over the years, Dr. Ohens has distinguished himself as a people-oriented person who derives fulfilment from offering a helping hand to those around him and giving back to the community.
“He is renowned in the United States as a champion of quality higher education for Nigerians who seek graduate degrees in North America. He assists Nigerians with admission into Ivy League schools in the United States and top schools in Canada, as part of his commitment to human capital development.
“In 1999, Dr. Joseph Ohens single-handedly tarred a street in Ogba, installed street light, and provided the inhabitants of the area pipe-borne water.
“He recently extended his philanthropic gestures to his hometown of Opoji in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, where he sunk two boreholes to supply water to his people. The difficulty and high cost of sinking boreholes in that part of Edo State and the significance of the water scheme to his people make its execution and completion a turning point in the community.
“Like the Biblical Joseph, Dr. Ohens is a BIG dreamer who believes in going after what others may see as unassailable.
“Through his indefatigable leadership and coordination, he convinced illustrious old boys of his alma mater, Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State, to pull together $1.5 Million (N1.7 Billion) to rebuild the secondary school. On Saturday, October 21, 2023, ten unique infrastructural projects built by philanthropic old boys of the school were commissioned by the Edo State government”.
The projected included the construction/reconstruction/renovation of four ultra-modern student hostels, the school library, five-bedroom Principal’s house, six-bedroom all-ensuite Corpers’ Lodge, school chapel, concreted road on campus, ultra-modern 20-bed school-based medical centre, eight-bedroom all-ensuite medical centre staff quarters, school water scheme, and new gate.
Ohens had earned recognition – home and abroad – for his philanthropic work. He was recently a recipient of the Africa Courage Award for Community Development held in Almere, The Netherlands by the Voice Achievers Awards.
A journalist, educator, legal scholar, and healthcare executive, Ohens practised journalism from 1989 to 2001 at the Nigerian Observer and City News, where his career blossomed as General Manager and Editor-in-Chief during the crusade for the country’s return to democracy in the Generals Ibrahim Babaginda and Sani Abacha military dictatorship.
A crusader for good governance, social justice, and equal opportunity for all, Ohens studied journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba; read Law at the Lagos State University, Ojo; and earned his Master of Laws and Doctor of the Science of Law degrees from the prestigious University of California Berkeley School of Law.
He currently works for a major healthcare system in the California’s north coast as a Senior Vice President, with direct oversight of compliance, risk management, privacy, patient safety, medical staff credentialing, peer review, and quality improvement. He is also an adjunct Professor of Law and teaches Advanced Legal Writing and U.S. Health Systems and Policy.
The club said: “The Rotary Club of Akowonjo is therefore, proud to be associated with this illustrious and distinguished Nigerian and community builder. The Rotary International award will be presented to him during the club’s Celebration and Awards Night on Monday, 30th October 2023 at the Ikeja Airport Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja”.
Guests expected at the event include Dr. Ohens’ friends and well-wishers, many of whom are distinguished Nigerians, business executives, old boys of Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State, media and public relations buffs, including Publisher of NaijaTimes and Lagos Post, Rotarian Ehi Braimah; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Steve Ayorinde (now of Arise TV); Editor of Ovation magazine, Rotarian Mike Effiong; Publisher of The News of the People, Mr. Loye Hamzat; Publisher of Infinity magazine, Rotarian Jide Ige, Publisher of Breezy News Online, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde; and Publisher of The Blade Online, Mr. Charles Nwagbara.
