Speaking at the Humanitarian Service Diamond Awards in Abuja, where he received the ‘Emerging Leader in Philanthropy’ award, Okunbor shared his personal philosophy, describing investing in people as his formula for change.
He said, “Humanity, being humane, is God’s task to us on earth. We should not just live for ourselves. We need to live for others.
“One of the values my father told me was that some of the greatest investments you can make should be in people. His life was an example of that. It has been three years since he passed on. His impact is still being felt by several people in business, politics and all walks of life.
“I get stopped by the average man on the street sometimes who still asks after him. There were a number of people he sponsored through schools without knowing their parents. I have met two or three persons in London who volunteered to help me because of my identity, saying my father helped them a lot despite not seeing them in persons.
“This further shows me that investing in people is really what we are created to do, especially if God blesses you. So helping a brother or sister is one of the cardinal values we must uphold.
“That’s how I chose to live my life and, quite frankly, I don’t think I deserve an award for it. My message to everyone out there is simple. It doesn’t matter if you can’t help a million, thousand or hundred people. Just start by helping one person. Start with your family and immediate community. Hopefully, we can change the world.”
Okunbor’s message came as the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) raised concerns about the neglect of older persons in society.
Director-General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the need to change the narrative about ageing, emphasizing the diversity and contributions of older persons.
She said, “The Centre is an agency established with the mandate to identify and cater for the needs of senior citizens. Ageing is what everybody prays for. It is a celebration.
“However, there is a very pessimistic attitude about older persons. They are seen as a distraction. This is because there is a wrong perception that the ageing population has nothing to give back.
“You cannot find a typical older person. The population of older persons is as diverse as you can imagine. On the one hand, you have older persons who are full of vigor and are able to live independently and with autonomy. They are still heads of their families and have continued to invest in their communities.
“On the other side, you have older persons who are extremely poor, vulnerable and cannot help themselves at all. They depend on others for their hygiene, movement and feeding. But whichever way you look at it, whether you have older persons on this spectrum who can continue to contribute to economic growth and participate joyfully in what they value, we must invest in them. All they need is an opportunity.”
Okunbor’s philanthropic efforts, particularly through his Osa Okunbo Foundation, focus on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and housing, demonstrating his commitment to investing in people.
His foundation’s work aims to transform lives and communities, aligning with his philosophy of investing in people as a driver of change.
