PROFILE OF DR. BARRISTER DIKE OKORAFOR CAROL
Dr. Barr. Carol Dike Okorafor was born into the Royal family of Dikebuenyi Ezenobi of Uli, in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State to Samuel Patrick Dike and Rebecca Dike née Odimegwu on 16th July 1948.
She got her primary education in Holy Rosary School Ihiala and Holy Child Primary School Oron. She attended the prestigious Catholic school, Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) Onitsha where she obtained a grade one West Africa School Certificate (WAEC) in 1966. The Rev Sisters, because of her brilliant and outstanding performance, took her to teach in one of their schools, Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka in January of 1967 and she continued to teach in various Catholic schools during the war until the schools system broke down as a result of social instability. She then served with the Food Directorate of Biafra till the end of the civil war.
After the civil war in 1970, she gained admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka and bagged a BSc (Hons) degree in Education in 1974.
During her secondary school years while at the University, and for several years after graduation, Carol participated actively in sports which led to her not only representing her school, state and country in sports like netball, basketball, Lawn tennis, Hockey and Squash but also winning several medals and trophies in those sports.
Having completed her National Youths Service with Citizenship and Leadership training Center (Man O War) in 1975, she took up appointment with the Federal Ministry of Education and was posted to the foremost Federal Government Girls’ College, Queens College (QC), Lagos as an Education Officer.
In 1977, she left teaching and joined the East Central State Sports Council and later Enugu Sports Council. During this period, her interest in social justice spurred her into registering for a law program at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus where she bagged Bsc (Hons) in Law in 1998 and was called to Bar in the year 2000. During the non-indigenes saga while serving in Enugu Sports Council, she returned to the Abia State Sports Council from where she retired in 2002.
The Amazon, Barr Okorafor, even though from Anambra State found love in Abia State and tied the knot with the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Novena University, Professor Chris Aniche Okorafor of Amuvi village, Arochukwu in 1978 and they are blessed with a wonderful daughter, Ejituru Regina Okorafor, who holds a First Class (Hons) degree in Accounting; Masters degrees in Accounting and Business Administration and a CPA (equivalent of Chartered Accountant ).
Carol has become so much of an Iyom ARO that only very few people today know she was not born and raised in Arochukwu. She has contributed immensely to the progress of Arochukwu in various capacities and ways and this earned her the confernment of the prestigious “EZI NYE MAZI Award ” by Nzuko Aro Women’s wing making her alongside the Wife of Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa the first recipients of the title in the history of Arochukwu. She served as Secretary of Nzuko Arochukwu, Women wing Enugu as well as Secretary of Enugu Onyemaranwanneya, the women wing of Amuvi Welfare Union. She later served at the National Executive Committees of both the Nzuko Arochukwu women wing and the Onyemaranwanneya. Currently, she is a National Patron of the Nzuko Arochukwu women wing as well as the Patron for Abuja branch.
The literary icon is a practicing and practical Christian. Carol is an exemplary, dutiful, altruistic, virtuous, goodhearted, caring, loving and a devoted wife. She is a trusted and a reliable fellow whose humanitarian services has made her a beckon of hope to not just only to the civil society but also in the christendom. In the Catholic Church in Arochukwu, she had and continues to make her presence felt. She was the Secretary General for the all ARO CWO (home and abroad) from the creation of the body and for several years. When St Thomas Catholic Church Parish was created, she was the Vice Chairman of the committee for the church building and dedication of the Parish.
In Umuahia Diocese, she is currently the Matron of the Umuahia Diocesan Catholic Women Organization and a Matron of the Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON) , Umuahia Diocese.
Here in Abuja, she has been a Matron of the CWO of Holy Cross Catholic Church Gwarinpa for over ten years till date. A very dedicated member of St Peter Igbo community and one of the matrons of Ezinwanne.
She is a philanthropist who really cares for Arochukwu and its people as well as humanity. Carol is the Founder and Sole sponsor of REBECCA SOUP KITCHEN, an organization that provides cooked food once every week for over three hundred less privileged people in the various villages in Arochukwu. Her Warehouse, which is located in Amuvi and stocked always with assorted drinks, water and wines, ensures that those items are available in Arochukwu at reasonable prices thereby rendering a social service and providing employment. This unarguably is her social corporate responsibility to the people of Arochukwu.
in December 2011, Barrister Carol to further solve the problems of unemployment and needs of the people of Aro established a Rice Mill with destonery and polishing machines , the first of its kind in the town.
Politically, Carol has made her mark bravely without fear of the societal stigmatization of women in politics even though it’s purely afrocentric. When she was in PDP, she contested for various positions, the last of which was the Senatorial seat for Abia North. Currently, she is in APGA and a member of the great party’s NWC as the National Welfare Secretary. She is really a household name in Abia politics and is seen in APGA generally as a Mother.
The Nzuko Aro World-wide with the consent of traditional institutions and custodians of the ancient Arochukwu kingdom having considered the medal touch of the legal icon, Barr. Carol bestowed on her
-“THE ADA UKWU ARO” ( this is the highest title the Arochukwu ancient kingdom bestows on a woman),
“. Barrister Carol in recognition of her humanitarian services in her ancestral land received the title of
– “THE ADA DI ORA MMA of ULI “.
Her commitment and dedication to her Marriage and community development also earned her
– THE UGO DI YA
-THE OCHENDO UMUNWANYI
Carol’s participation and commitments in God’s work also earned her titles like
– The Golden Mother of Presbyterian Church Arochukwu”,
– “THE DIAMOND MOTHER “‘,
“THE NNE DI UGWU of ST PETER’S IGBO COMMUNITY of HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC PARISH ABUJA ” etc.
The legal Icon is the founder of SAVE OUR WOMEN AND YOUTHS INITIATIVE, an NGO duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission whose objectives are the promoting and protecting of the political, educational and Economical welfare of Women and Youths
In recognition of social integration through peaceful assembly, she belong to and has her membership in different Professional and social organizations such as
– FIDA (Female Lawyers Association), – Nigerian Bar Association (NBA, Arochukwu and Abuja branch), – International Federation of Business and Professional Women.
she has also served in
– the Executive of the Women for Change under Jonathan’s administration,
– worked with the Founder of Women Foundation of Nigeria , Iyom Barrister . Josephine Anenih and many other organizations.
To God alone be all the glory for His gifts to this daughter of Zion!