What do I gain by joining Rotary? This seemingly simple question has transformed lives and continues to inspire thousands. For Trustee Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, the answer is far more profound than most realise.
In a deeply human and powerful interview with ARPIC Ehi Braimah, Okoro peels back the layers of Rotary’s true essence; service, sacrifice, and sustainability.
From her pivotal role at The Rotary Foundation to her advocacy for giving in local currencies despite harsh exchange rates, she redefines Rotary as more than just a club. It’s a purpose.
“You gain the presence of God, the guidance of God, and the blessings of service,” she says, calmly yet firmly.
Her journey is a story of intentionality.
As one of Rotary’s Trustees, she has witnessed how awareness drives giving across Africa, how local grants build legacy projects, and how clubs like those in Uganda and Kenya demystify the once-feared grant process.
And when she asks fellow Rotarians to stop converting Naira to dollars before giving, her logic is sharp but heartfelt: “If you keep converting, you’ll never give.”
Some club presidents just want boreholes with their names on them. That’s not Rotary.
Rotary’s Program of Scale isn’t a handout; it’s a testament to rigorous effort.
Africa’s back-to-back wins in Nigeria, Zambia, and Egypt weren’t based on sympathy, but on merit. Clubs with vision, discipline, and structure earned those global grants.
Yet, Okoro doesn’t shy away from the hard truths.
Many African clubs remain inactive in grant applications due to myths, fear, and lack of leadership.
“Some club presidents just want boreholes with their names on them. That’s not Rotary,” she adds.
Rotary, she explains, is not a shortcut to visas, contracts, or business connections. It’s not a social club. It’s a platform for giving your time, talent, and treasure; without seeking applause.
Her message to anyone asking, what do I gain by joining Rotary? is simple:
You gain the rare privilege to serve, to lead without title, and to leave behind a legacy that lives long after you do.
Fresh concerns have emerged over compliance with a court order issued by the High Court of Kano State on April 8, 2026, restraining key parties—including the Honourable Minister of Education, the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Kano State Urban Development Authority, and Pluck Global Company Limited—from further actions pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Findings indicate that while all parties—except the concessionaire, Pluck Global Company Limited—were duly served within two days of the order, significant challenges were encountered in effecting service on the company, raising troubling questions about its corporate traceability and regulatory vetting.
A review of the company’s records filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed addresses that could not be verified as functional business locations. Notably, documentation submitted to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, dated June 20, 2024, listed two addresses: 8B, Lalupon Street, off Keffi Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as its head office, and 3 Bargery Road, Bompai, Kano, as its branch office.
However, a physical visit to the Ikoyi address revealed that the entire property is occupied by a company identified as Golden Alchemy, whose staff категорically denied any knowledge of, or shared occupancy with, Pluck Global Company Limited.
Efforts to trace the Kano address yielded even more unsettling findings. The location—a locked duplex—showed no visible signs of commercial activity. Neighbours, while reluctant to speak on record, alluded to irregular movements at odd hours, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the premises as a corporate office.
In a twist, after multiple attempts to establish contact, an individual purportedly representing the company surfaced in Kano and agreed to receive and acknowledge the court order on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. Curiously, the Ikoyi address—already discredited—was again listed as the company’s official address in the acknowledgment.
These developments raise critical questions regarding due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols on the part of the Federal Ministry of Education. They also cast a spotlight on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), should a concession agreement indeed have been executed with the company. Stakeholders say it would be instructive to review the addresses contained in all official correspondences and contractual documents linked to the transaction.
Meanwhile, a visit to the premises of Federal Government College, Kano, revealed ongoing construction activity, with workers observed excavating foundations. When approached, the workers declined to disclose the authority under which they were operating—despite the subsistence of a court order restraining further action.
Notably, a previously installed project billboard bearing the insignia of the school authorities and the Federal Ministry of Education had been removed. Sources within the institution suggest that the directive for its removal may have emanated from the Ministry following receipt of the court order.
The unfolding situation presents a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and accountability issues—raising the spectre of possible non-compliance with judicial directives, as well as deeper concerns about transparency in public-private concession arrangements.