Christy Ray Okoye: Unbroken and Unstoppable Champion of Women’s Empowerment

Ifitedunu, a town in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, is home to Chief (Mrs.) Christy Ray Okoye, Iyom Okwesilieze, a trailblazing woman of many accomplishments. As the highest traditional title holder given to a woman in Igbo, she has made a name for herself in various fields, including education, business, and community service. Her passion for helping others has driven her to achieve great things. With a background in politics, where she witnessed firsthand the exploitation of women, Okoye remains committed to empowering women and creating positive change. Now, as she prepares to take on a new role as Ambassador Extraordinaire to Eze Dunu, Igwe of Ifitedunu, Igwe (Dr) Emeka Ilouno, a position she will officially assume on December 29th, 2024, during the prestigious Ofala festival, Okoye continues to inspire women everywhere with her story of resilience and determination. In this exclusive interview with MARY MNAH, she opens up about her life, her experiences, and her vision for a brighter future for women and girls

Beyond COFHA, who is Christy Ray Okoye? Can you share with us the lesser-known aspects of your life and accomplishments?

I am Chief (Mrs.) Christy Ray Okoye, Iyom Okwesilieze. Iyom is the highest traditional title given to a woman in Igbo. I am a chief and also an Iyom.

My father was a politician and held various political positions, ranging from chairperson of National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and then, Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), at a point he was a chairman of Nigerian State Scholarship Board. He was a parliamentarian of the First Republic in the 60s. And then later on, he became a proprietor, built a school, Zixton Primary and Secondary Schools. It was a boarding school, the first of its kind in Eastern Nigeria.

I started schooling at Zixton, that’s my father’s school. That’s where I had my primary, part of my secondary school. Then, Queen of the Rosary College of (QRC) Onitsha. And then University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I have a bachelor’s degree in Education Administration.

After my youth service, I took up a brief teaching appointment with the Lagos State Government. Brief, because I voluntarily retired after 13 years. I went into teaching because I got married then, and I felt I needed time for my children and family. So that’s what exactly took me to teaching.

I taught for 13 years and retired as the vice-principal to go into private business because I thought that I wasn’t quite fulfilled in terms of financial capacity with the teaching profession. So I went into business. I opened Raynes Oil and Gas business. In fact, I would describe myself as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Raynes Group of Companies. Under that, I had the Rays Oil and Gas, Raynes Jewelry and Raynes Fabric. So I had these three businesses running at the same time.

I had a brief touch on politics. As I said, my father was a politician, so I was interested in politics. I joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and went as far as being the woman leader of the presidential campaign, which exposed me to a lot of things that happened in politics. Particularly pertaining to women, it really exposed me.

But at the end of the day, I must fully confess that I discovered that my philosophy in life was not well aligned with the kind of politics that they did in Nigeria. Most times, the women are exploited. It’s either you are exploited or you don’t go far. That is the truth about it, or you have the Godfather. Women are really exploited.

This is part of why at my retirement, I decided that I have to go into a lot of charity work, particularly to help women. And children, because they are the most vulnerable. I saw it in politics, where women were exploited because they were looking just to contest a particular position. Of course, most of them didn’t have the money. So the men and the so-called Godfathers, felt they had the right to exploit these women.

So I had a lot of cases coming to me as a woman leader of the APGA presidential campaign. So those things threw me off in politics. That was not the kind of idea or the politics I saw my father play in the 60s.

So because of that, I had to withdraw from active politics. And then, moreover, at my age, I think that God has blessed me enough that I think I have to give back to society. And that brings me to the various charity and mentoring organizations I belong to.

I will start with the primary one, the Committee of Friends for Humanity (COFHA), which I have been a member of for over 30 years. Since inception, I’ve been a COFHA member. And I was privileged to be the third president of COFHA, under which I have done a lot for the association.

And just to mention a few, during my time, I built the emergency centre at the Isolo General Hospital. That was one of the things I did. It’s there, it’s still there. Not only did it but it was built and furnished. Renovated Gbagada General Hospital, renovated that of the general hospital in Apapa Health Center, and also the Ikeja General Hospital. During my tenure, we refurbished all these hospitals.

And then we made numerous visits, so many visits in most of these same hospitals. Helping people settle all the bills and then, you know, help the sick. It was during my tenure that I started the Women Empowerment Programme in COFHA. And then during my tenure, we empowered over 100 women.

Not only in Lagos, I took the empowerment programme as far as Awka. Peter Obi was then the governor and his wife, Margaret, was of help to us. Then we did an empowerment and it was 50 women we empowered.

I must say that my personal experience has taught me the importance of empowerment. In my village, I fought for my rights as a woman to inherit my father’s property. The kingsmen initially denied me and my sisters the right to inherit, citing traditional laws. However, we challenged this decision in court and eventually won.

This experience taught me that empowerment is crucial for women, especially in Nigeria. Without empowerment, women are often exploited and denied their rights. I believe that empowerment is key to changing the narrative and creating a more just and equitable society for women.

You are set to be installed as Ambassador Extra-Ordinaire to Eze Dunu, Igwe of Ifitedunu on Dec 29th during the 2024 Ofala festival. What does this appointment mean to you?

So, this question of this new title, Ambassador Extraordinary, bestowed upon me by His Royal Highness, Igwe (Dr) Emeka Ilouno, the Eze Dunu, the Igwe of Ifitedunu – like the letter he wrote to me, stating that he has watched me over the years and seen my commitment to women and children within his kingdom. He then decided to honour me by giving me, for the first time, the position of Ambassador Extraordinary. This is a historic moment, as it has not happened in the history of our time in Ifitedunu.

With this appointment, I will be in a better position to continue promoting the welfare of the girl child, encouraging and empowering them, and advocating for women’s equality and gender equality. This aligns with what we were told at the UN: that we need to strengthen structures and institutions to achieve these goals.

I thank God that with this position, I am in a better stance to communicate directly with the people in the cabinet and ensure that our women and girls receive what they deserve. This appointment means a lot to me.

As the saying goes, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” This appointment serves as a reminder that I need to work harder. While my past efforts have been acknowledged, I see this appointment as a call to action, urging me to do more.

Now, I will liaise with the Igwe, the cabinets, and the women who need empowerment and the girl child, to create more awareness. If they have problems, I can discuss them with the Igwe, and together, we can find solutions.

I’m happy to be retired, as I’m now prepared to dedicate more time to these efforts. I’ve been doing similar work, and my husband’s role as the traditional prime minister of our place is an added advantage. He is called Onowo, the traditional prime minister, and he is second to the Igwe.

How do you plan to balance your Ambassador Extraordinaire role with other commitments, and what sacrifices do you anticipate making?

Definitely! You see, when you are doing what you like, you don’t feel it. My passion is helping people. That is my passion. So sometimes, I can quite admit it can be quite taxing. And sometimes you get tired. But for the mere fact that I said, no, no, no, I’m tired, leave me alone. Sometimes they call me for one thing. Maybe by that time I’m tired, leave me alone. But by the time I sleep and wake up, I said, no, I have to attend to this. I have to attend to that. So first of all is passion, and I thank God for grace. Whenever I refer to myself as an amazing daughter of an amazing grace, that is how I refer to myself. Everything I say, I say, amazing grace. It’s all by the grace of God. It’s not by my power, it’s not by my might, but I think it’s the grace of God. When God calls you for a particular job, he gives you all it takes. And sometimes I wonder, where do I get all the finance? How do I cope with all these environments? I’m retired, though some of my businesses are running, because I’ve done some investments that are yielding. But if I should tell you how much I spend on a monthly basis, I myself, I wonder, how do you make all this money? And I still do it. I’m happy doing it. You see, when you are doing what you have the call for, something that makes you happy, you don’t feel it. So I still continue to thank God and put my strength in God. Like I said, the grace of God is sufficient for me, once I have that grace of God with me. The sky is my limit.

What personal qualities have driven your success in community service, and how can others emulate them?

There is a proverb that says, “Seeing is believing.” When you see somebody doing something and you watch that person, you learn. For me, humility is my watchword. I can descend to any level, irrespective of my position. I never look at my status; I focus on the task at hand.

I believe this personal quality is a gift from God. He has given me humility and a strong sense of focus. Once I set my mind on something, I am determined to achieve it. There’s no turning back. This focus has been the key to my success in business and as the president of COFHA.

Additionally, I’m a very organized person. I plan and prioritize my tasks, keeping my eyes on the goal. Once I set my sights on something, I don’t get distracted until I achieve it. I believe these qualities – humility, focus, and organization – are essential for success in community service, and I encourage others to cultivate them as well.

You should have been in politics to bring about changes in society with the kind of zeal and passion burning in you.

Remember what I told you – that I entered politics with a zeal to bring about change, having been raised in a political setting. However, when I realized that the system didn’t align with my philosophy of life, I knew I couldn’t continue. I have what it takes to make a difference, so why should I compromise my values to get a ticket? I witnessed how women were being taken advantage of, simply because they wanted to contest and needed a ticket. That’s not the kind of life I want to live. I want to earn things based on merit, not by licking someone’s boots.

This appointment, for instance, was purely based on merit. I wasn’t even present when the Igwe in Council sat, but I received the letter. My husband wasn’t involved in the process, either. It was a recognition of my abilities, and that’s what matters to me.

That’s why I left politics. I’m happy with myself because, in life, it’s essential to be happy with what you do. If your actions don’t align with your philosophy, you’ll experience inner conflict. But when you’re doing something that brings you joy, you remain happy.

I always tell people that a life worth living is one where you make an impact and leave the world better than when you came. If you’re not making a positive difference, then you’re a liability to humanity. We should strive to make the world a better place.

With my new appointment and the other things I’ve been doing, I feel very fulfilled. I’d rather be making a real difference than being a senator who simply mismanages funds meant for the poor and infrastructure. That doesn’t make sense to me.

What advice would you give a young woman who wants to go into politics?

If a young woman came to me saying she wanted to go into politics, I would tell her, “I wish you all the best.” But I would also be honest with her – it’s not going to be easy. As a woman in a male-dominated field, especially in Nigeria, you’ll face unique challenges.

Although, if we need to change the narrative, we need women to be there. We need women in the House of Legislators and in the lawmakers’ chambers. Because most of the bills they pass favor men. So, we need to be there.

But how do we get there? I must tell you the truth – it’s not an easy task. I tried it myself. Those already in politics will also tell you what to expect. In Nigeria, politics is a male-dominated game.

So, when I see young women interested in politics, I encourage them to try. But I also advise them to be confident and prepared. If you don’t have your head held high, you’ll end up getting hurt. If it works out, fine. If you’re lucky to have a godfather who can protect your interests, fine. But it’s not easy.

One of the challenges is the amount of money involved. I know how much I spent during my time in politics. My business almost went bankrupt, and I wasn’t even contesting for a position. I was just supporting people I believed in.

I don’t think everyone should be in politics. If you see someone who is good enough, support them. That’s my philosophy. So, I’d tell the young woman, “I wish you good luck, but it’s not easy for women in politics.” It’s easier for men, which is why there are more men in politics. It’s not that men are more qualified than women; it’s just that the terrain is tougher for women, especially those who want to maintain their dignity.

When will you assume your role as Ambassador Extraordinaire, and what are your thoughts on the upcoming Ofala festival?

I’ve begun preparing for my new role, and I’ve accepted the appointment via a formal letter. The official installation ceremony will take place on December 29th, 2024, during the Ofala festival.

The Ofala festival is a significant event where chieftaincy titles and recognitions are conferred upon deserving individuals. It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially for the younger generation, to experience our rich cultural heritage.

During the festival, the Igwe showcases his cabinet and expresses gratitude to his people for their support over the years. It’s a joyous occasion that brings the community together, allowing the Igwe to connect with his people and honor outstanding individuals within and outside the community.

The festival is also an excellent opportunity for the younger ones to learn about our culture, as they get to see various masquerades and experience the richness of our traditions.