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ABOUT US
The Somalisa Okocha Care Foundation is a beacon of hope and transformative change organization rooted in passion. We are dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged and vulnerable populace in Nigeria and across borders, fostering social integration and elevating standards of living.
OUR VISION
To build a more sustainable future for the next generations, with increased earning power and improved living standards for children, youths, women, and vulnerable populations.
OUR MISSION
To fight poverty on a global scale, amplify women’s rights, and promote youth empowerment, social development, and integration of underprivileged individuals and communities.
OUR IMPACT
Sustainable change begins with people. Our work is centered on empowering children, youths, women, and vulnerable populations with the knowledge, opportunities, and support they need to improve their lives. Together with communities and partners, we are building a future where increased earning power, stronger livelihoods, and lasting social impact become a shared reality.
THE BOARD MEMBERS
Meet The Team
Emmanuel Somawina, Abua-Okocha
Emmanuel Somawina Abua-Okocha is a highly skilled and proficient lawyer with a diverse background comprising of legal practice & Litigation, public governance, board room and corporate regulation management, international finance and development, policy and strategy. With over 16 years cumulative experience, He has consistently supported commercial transactions, ensured legal compliance, and effectively managed public sector resources to drive positive government developmental impact. He is currently the Managing Partner of Soma & Patrick Solicitors, a legal consulting, business advisory and government relations management firm in Abuja. Before then, he rose to the rank of Deputy Manager with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank where he provided legal advisory and regulatory compliance support, Boardroom guidance and procedural support to the board of directors of the organization. Emmanuel Somawina Okocha is an expert in delivering exceptional corporate/ organizational transformation. He successfully negotiated complex commercial transactions and has enforced legal and regulatory compliances on both local and international scales. Between July 2011 and May 2014 Mr. Emmanuel served as Special Assistant Administration/Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s Honourable Minster of Youth Development and subsequently Minister of Sports. During this period, He oversaw and executed complex administrative tasks, coordinated specific multi-sectoral projects and played key role in policy development and strategic initiatives. e provided leadership oversight to various Youth Employment Programs on a strategic level in the Ministry of Youth Development. As part of the MDG program for the year, He planned and organised a Youth Campaign and Intervention Program to create awareness and address Domestic Violence Against Women (titled the red ribbon campaign), which resulted in better understanding and government and private sector intervention. He also served as part of the Youth Ministry's focal point and took part in a fund-raising drive for the first phase of a social development enterprise, YouWin!- an intervention drive by the federal government of Nigeria to address youth unemployment and underemployment- in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Finance and Women's Affairs. In the Sports Administration, Mr. Emmanuel was part of the task force that oversaw Team Nigeria's Olympic operations in London in 2012. He also designed and implemented the structure and manual for Nigeria's National Sports Retreat and established a framework for Nigeria's National Health and Physical Fitness Policy (as part of a team). In The Nigerian Export-Import Bank, he has across several Units from July 2014 – till date(2023), doing multiple roles across several departments- including, legal work, managing corporate regulatory compliance, identifying and mitigating legal risks, forging strategic alliances with key development institutions, remediating and recovering bad and insolvent loans. Emmanuel last responsibility with NEXIM was in the Board Secretariat Unit where he provided company secretarial and stakeholder management services to the Board of Directors of NEXIM, as well as organize board meetings, prepare relevant documents, and ensure compliance with all internal and external governance policies. Emmanuel is currently undertaking a PhD programme from the Nigerian Defence Academy and has a Masters of Philosophy (Mphil) in Leadership and Strategic Studies and a Masters degree in Development Studies (MDS) both from the Nigerian Defence Academy as well. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) Hons from the University of Benin, Nigeria and currently studying for his doctorate in Leadership and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Elizabeth Abua-Okocha
Elizabeth Okocha is a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). She is a Certified Counsellor and Mental Health Practitioner, a Certified Behavioural Change Coach, a CMD Certified Trainer/Consultant, and a Human Capital Manager with more than a decade of experience in innovating, planning, negotiating, and executing Profit and Non-profit projects, including sensitization programs, empowerment programs, branding, and advisory. Business development, project/program coordination, people management, partnership development, tracking budget expenses, performance management, branding, advisory services, and humanitarian work are some of her primary areas of expertise. She is renowned for her abilities to successfully structure, brand, build and manage businesses as well as connect individuals with tools, resources, ideas, networks, and partnerships to enable them to achieve more through the power of innovation. Popularly known as Coach Lisa, she is a PUSH Coach who has successfully helped her clients achieve better results in their careers, businesses, and organizations. By triggering Federal Government Agencies/Organizations and privately owned organizations, she has successfully instigated and seen to the finish, the development of numerous remote communities in Nigeria. As the co-founder of Somalisa Okocha Care Foundation, she has consistently organized intervention programs that are designed to cater to the vulnerable and underprivileged populace in the six (6) geo political regions in Nigeria. She is the founder of the annual REACHOUT 8:29 intervention program, which has impacted numerous lives and communities across Nigeria. She currently serves as the CEO of Sokosh Nig. Ltd. Board member, Fotismos Global Ltd and Trustee, Precious Foundation For Women, Children and Adolescents.
Gift Madogemu
Dr. Madojemu is a Resident Physician (Psychiatry), completing her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship, at the renowned McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at University of Saskatchewan, Canada, her Master of Public Health and BSc. Biochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria, respectively. Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Madojemu, accrued extensive work experience in Mental health and Addictions. She has worked in areas of HIV/AIDS, adolescent reproductive health care, disease/injury prevention, with exploration on the impact of different illness experience and trauma, on mental health. Her work spans across various demographics with special population health interest in youth, women, marginalized population groups such as Indigenous Health, Black Health, Immigrant and Refugee Health. Dr. Madojemu is an active community member, serving as board of director in community organizations such as STEMHub Foundation, Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation, and Women of Excellence Ministry. She is the current president of the Black Resident Physicians of Canada. Other community leadership positions in the past include president Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking; President, Black Medical Students Association, Saskatchewan; President, Saskatchewan Coalition for Tobacco Reduction, among other volunteer roles. Dr. Madojemu is passionate about health advocacy, global mental health and population/public health. She engages in innovative ways to create societal dialogue around mental health to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek mental health support e.g. utilizing theatre and films to address mental health, as she is an active member of the McMaster CinePsych group. She is an invaluable member to our team as she brings her lived experience, work experience, and dynamic context of being a Nigerian-Canadian who has navigated and thrived successfully in both countries. We appreciate her two-eye perspective which enriches our proposed program delivery.
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Uche K. Otuya
Uche K. Otuya is a multidisciplinary professional, entrepreneur, and community-focused leader who has built his career across engineering, technology, business, and social impact. At the core of his work is a simple focus: creating access, empowering people, and building systems that lead to real, lasting change. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2009, which gave him a strong foundation in structured thinking and problem-solving. He began his career as an Instrumentation and Control Engineer in the energy sector, where he worked with critical systems, ensuring efficiency, safety, and reliability. That experience shaped his disciplined and solutions-oriented approach to challenges. Over time, Uche expanded into business development, working with VFD to support growth initiatives, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to revenue strategy. This transition allowed him to see the bigger picture by understanding how ideas, people, and systems come together to drive results. He later moved into the technology space, working as an IT Support professional at Capital One from 2021 to 2022. In that role, he supported enterprise systems, solved real-time problems, and helped improve how people interact with technology. This gave him valuable insight into operations, service delivery, and system efficiency. Alongside his professional career, Uche has consistently built his own ventures. He is the founder of Deizy Clothing, a brand centered on identity and expression, and Deizyexpress LLC, a legal services support company focused on process service and logistics. These ventures reflect his ability to take ideas from concept to execution while managing real-world operations and growth. He also holds a cybersecurity certification and has developed a strong interest in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. His focus is on how these tools can be used in practical ways to improve systems, expand access, and create more efficient methods of delivering impact. Uche’s work in youth development and career advisory further deepened his commitment to community impact. He has guided individuals through career decisions, skills development, and access to opportunities, helping people move from uncertainty to direction and stability. As he steps into broader leadership, Uche brings a balanced perspective as someone who understands both strategy and execution, as well as systems and people. He focuses not only on ideas, but also on how those ideas translate into measurable outcomes that improve lives. His long-term vision is rooted in impact. He is committed to using his experience, skills, and platform to contribute to something greater by helping individuals grow, strengthening communities, and supporting meaningful, positive change in the world.
Jummai Olowoleni
Jummai Olowoleni is a versatile professional excelling in Business Strategy, HR Management, and Family/life Coaching. With a background in Accounting and Human Resources, she has a passion for guiding individuals and organizations toward success, she bridges the gap between corporate excellence and personal well-being. With over 30 years of experience, Jummai has identified growth opportunities and optimized operations for startups to scaling bussiness. Through proven management techniques, she assists organizations in optimizing their teams’ performance, fostering a positive and productive work environment. As an HR consultant, she excels in talent acquisition, employee development, and aligning HR practices with business goals for a motivated workforce. Jummai's coaching expertise empowers clients to overcome obstacles, manage stress, achieve work-life balance, and healthy relationships, and pursue personal growth strategies. Her approach emphasizes empathy and understanding, recognizing the interconnectedness between professional and personal life. Jummai's HR philosophy promotes inclusive and supportive workplace culture, and as a lifestyle coach, she stresses self-care and mental well-being. Jummai enjoys mindfulness practices, and culinary arts. She is an avid reader of spiritual and self-improvement books and actively participates in mentoring and community outreach. She is also a tool addict who loves to be at the forefront of new technology. Jummai's unique combination of expertise in business strategy, HR consulting, and coaching makes her a sought-after professional, driving organizational success while empowering individuals for holistic growth and transformation.