ODOCHI ORJI
Mrs. Odochi Orji, the wife of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, in this interview with Ada Onyema, speaks on her marriage and her passion for the underprivileged
Can you recall any childhood experience that has shaped your life?
As far as I’m concerned, I can’t really say there is a particular childhood experience that has influenced or propelled me to live differently today. Right from childhood, I have had the mind to reach out to people. I think it is what God has called me to do. It has become a part of my life. In life, your background goes a long way to determine the kind of life you live, because if you know where you are coming from, it gives you a definite direction of where you want to get to.
Again, knowing quite alright that I did not place myself here but God, I have to utilise the oppurtunity that God has given me to make the difference wherever I find myself. For years, Abia State was without someone they could call a mother. On assumption of office, I made a promise to God that I must impact on the lives of widows, vulnerable children, the physically challenged and indigent ones in the society.
Why are you called Osinulo mara mma?
Osinulo mara mma is a name given to me by the women group from my husband’s hometown. They gave me the name because of my role and contributions towards the building of the health centre in Ibeku time before I became the first lady. Funny though, the name has taken over my real name in the state.
Women generally love going to the market to shop. Do you still shop in the open market?
It is a known fact that women love shopping in the open market; you easily pick faults when you are helped. But with this position, there is nothing you can do but to adjust; you have to accept what is made available to you because you cannot help it. I cannot go to the open market now. I find myself making do with what is made available. In other words, I have limited choices. Even trying to buy online is a long process. I don’t have to go to the market.If I do, the SSS operatives, who work with me can write a report against me that I’m going against the security rules and thereby putting my life at risk. You never know who is monitoring you.
You are saying that being the governor’s wife has its own challenges.
Yes. The challenges are numerous. In the first place, the expectations of the people around you are unimaginable. They look at you as their saviour and God. They think you have solutions to all their problems, but inasmuch as you would want to meet the needs of everybody, you are incapacitated by the meagre fund available to you. It is a big challenge. As the governor’s wife of the state, everybody is looking up to you for one help or the other. If the Fedreral Government will do something and come to our aid by allocating funds to the office, I think we would go a long way in meeting up with people’s demand and expectations. No matter the way you look at it, virtually all the problems lie in our hands. Most of them find the office of the governor’s wife accessible than that of the governor. The lower cadre, who cannot penetrate the office of the governor, the easiest place is this place. At the end of the day, you have so much on your hand to cater for, but with limited resources.
As the wife of the governor, what do you miss most?
I have to be frank with you, I’m missing so many things. I cannot visit my friends. I miss going to the market because I love shopping. I love shopping for local foods and when you send your aides to buy them for you, they only come back to tell you stories. My privacy is gone because you have aides all around you, except when you go to the loo. Being the first lady has taken away my privacy and freedom to do the things I love doing.
But you enjoy all the glamour associated with it.
Which glamour? That is a wrong impression. As far as I am concerned, the governor’s wife is like any other woman out there. I don’t belong to that class that regards the office of the first lady as that of glamour. The office is very demanding. I’m not here to live a flamboyant life; rather I’m here to make impact on the lives of the people because without them, occupying this position would have been absolutely impossible.
Wives of governors are known to float different pet projects. What is your pet project and how do you intend to make it practicable?
Well, my pet project is the Family Empowerment Programme. It is different because I did not choose it alone. When we came into office, we had a series of deliberations on the effective and efficient areas that would impact and change the lives of the people of Abia State. So with the right information at hand, we set out to achieve our goals and objectives. Our women are talented in weaving and the use of other locally-made fabrics. The programme is about empowering women and youths through skill acquisition and support, even in agricultural activities. It is a new disposition towards earning a living by doing it yourself. If you are used to begging for money from people, why not try and do something for yourself that will earn you money? That is what we do at FEP Foundation. The skill acquisition centre has come to stay. It has event halls, catering sections and other amenities that generate money. So you can see that even when I leave office, the centre will conveniently run itself.
We hear that during your husband’s incaceration, you took over the political campaign. What was the push?
I knew that my husband was the popular choice, who was loved by his people.They came clamouring for him to contest and before the incaceration, he had already gone far in his campaign. So all I did was to continue from where he stopped. Withdrawing into my shell to cry would not solve the problem knowing that he had already started the campaign before that problem came up. God gave me the strength to pursue the cause. People came out en masse to support me. I was even advised to stop exposing myself to risk. I really suffered; it’s never a good experience and I don’t even wish my enemy to encounter such.
Were you involved in active politics before that time?
Honestly, I have never been but I have been in the corridors of power. My husband was the secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission. My experience came from all I heard and learnt from people. I was only a civil servant, but I resigned and started my business to have enough time for the family.
How did you meet your husband; what was the attraction?
We met while we were young. He is quiet, loving, caring and a gentleman. We have the same values, love the same things. He is my best friend. The attraction for me was his mental stimulation. His patience, love, care for me, I cannot quantify. I noticed him because he is a handsome man. The list is endless. To cut the long story short, I was attracted to everything about him. Most of all, I think my husband is a true example of a Christian.
How do you manage your busy schedule and your home?
Playing the role of a mother does not in any way interfere with my role as a wife and that of being the first lady. I plan my schedule perfectly in a way that multi-tasking becomes easy and enjoyable.
Do you feel threatened or jealous whenever your husband attends to the opposite sex?
I don’t feel threatened or jealous in any way; it did not start today. My husband is a workaholic. His kind of job involves attending to both sexes. As his wife, I can’t be jealous with women – old and young – trooping into his office or even if he sleeps out. I don’t know how many times I have gone to my husband’s office. I have to mind and do my own work. He is a public figure; I don’t have to be chasing him here and there. Moreover, I trust my husband; he is not that type.
Are you of the opinion that Nigeria is ripe for a woman president?
We are all aware of the important role women play in good governance, economic development and politics of any country. The only way to enhance women equality and social status is to encourage women’s active participation in politics and elective positions. But we should not forget that in Nigeria, it is difficult for women to ensure full participation because they are the homemakers. If they do, who would take care of the home front? Beyond that, if women give themselves to it, who knows, maybe in the nearest future there may be a female president.
What is your definition of style?
Style to me means simplicity, elegance and carriage. Once you have the three, you are good to go. You can walk in anywhere and attract attention. My best fabric is ankara; it is cool and comfortable.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for the legacies I leave behind, like the FEP. It is a masterpiece that would continue to speak for a long time. Also, the Prayer Network we do every Wednesday. It is my own way of touching the lives of people. In short, the place is now known as a place of succour. People come there with different ailments soliciting various help and I thank God for His mercies.
What advice do you have for womenfolk, both old and young?
I think you should value yourself before anyone will put any value on you. Whatever position you find yourself, know that God put you there because you are special and no one can take that from you unless you give it to them. Be gracious and kind and at the end of the day, you will reach for greater heights.
Source:Punch
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