Dr Ohens, left, receiving an award from The Voice magazine, Holland



By Tony Icheku


On Monday, October 30, 2023, when Dr Joseph Ohens steps forward to receive the Rotary International’s 'Excellence In Community Development Award' from  Rotary Club of Akowonjo under  Rotary International, District 9110, it would be a remarkable recognition for a passionate social justice activist.


Dr Ohens stands out as a philanthropist because he neither a politician seeking media exposure nor another go-go do-gooder seeking relevance on the social media.  


Dr Ohens is a journalist, legal practitioner, scholar and healthcare administrator finally earning recognitions for his consistency in following his first passion of  social justice, equal opportunity for  all and  good governance. Passions which may have pushed him towards journalism and fast-tracked his rising to the topmost ladder of the profession  before seeking fresh fields to conquer abroad.


Ever true to his first love: social justice,  Ohen's motives when he began giving back to society defines  altruism and compassion: He was the good Samaritan eager to lend support to  a hospitalised fellow; Willing to lend  a  helping hand to a fallen humanity; Ready to give  a listening ear to the distressed...or mobilising towards  rebuilding the fallen walls of a community.


As an individual,  on that communal level, working discreetly, Dr Ohens  has  rehabilitated streets fallen to disrepair and rendered impassable; He has  provided street light for streets where darkness provides cover for violent crimes and built  pipe-borne water projects in places where the authorities failed to measure up.


He is not a politician, nor  interested in a political office in the next election cycle,  Ohens, as friends fondly call him  is simply a do-gooder who envisions a better world for all. Though, he had done his good off the flashlights of Paparazzi and TV cameras, the lights he has lit is now shinning from the rooftops....it's like the Biblical saying...there is  nothing that is concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. 


Thus, Dr Ohens labour of love, done behind closed doors is now being celebrated  from the rooftops:  First was the 'Africa Courage Award' given to him by the  Holland-based The Voice magazine. 


Others, including the  Rotary International’s 'Excellence In Community Development Award'  are following in quick succession.


The Rotary award is for  individuals who have distinguished themsrlves in community development being one of the very important seven focal areas  of  Rotary International.


Over the years,  Ohens has distinguished himself as a people-oriented person who derives fulfillment from offering a helping hand to those around him and has etched a name for himself 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.


Ever practical, he never forgot that charity begins at home, thus his  Opoji community in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State recently too delivery of  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,  Ohens dreams and believes, even when others may not see the vision


Through his proactive leadership and coordination, he convinced illustrious old boys of his alma mater, Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State, to mobilize $1.5 Million (N1.7 billion) to rebuild the secondary school, and 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 projects include:

* Four ultra-modern student hostels

* Reconstructed School Library

* Five-bedroom Principal’s House

* Six-bedroom, all-ensuite Corpers’ Lodge

* Renovated School Chapel

* A Concreted Road on campus

* An ultra-modern 20-bed shool-based medical center

* An eight-bedroom, all-ensuite medical center staff quarters

* School Water Scheme, and

* A New Gate


 Ohens practiced journalism from 1989 to 2001 at the Nigerian Observer and CityNews newspapers, where  he quickly rose to the position of General Manager and Editor-in-Chief during the crusade for Nigeria’s return to democracy in the General Ibrahim Babaginda and Late Sañni Abacha era.


He  studied journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, 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 Californai north coast as a Senior Vice President, with direct oversight of compliance, risk managment, 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 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 October 30, 2023 at the Ikeja Airport Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.


Expected at the event includes Dr. Ohens’ friends and well-wishers, many of whom are distinguished Nigerians, business executives, old boys of Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, media and public relations buffs, including  Ehi Braimah, Publisher of NaijaTimes and Lagos Post;  Steve Ayorinde of Arise TV, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy;  Mike Effiong, Editor of Ovation Magazine;  Loye Hamzat, Publisher, The NewsofThe People;   Muyiwa Akintunde, Publisher of Breezy Online Publication;  Charles Nwagbara, Publisher, The BladeOnline;  Tony Icheku, State Correspondent for THISDAY in Imo State and  Editor-at-Large at  dailyledger.com.ng and several others