Mrs Nkechi Narice Oriahi
Mrs Nkechi Narice Oriahi is a virtuous woman, loving and a caring wife, mother, worker in God’s vineyard and businesswoman.
She joined the diamond class in March this year. In this profile interview she granted Ika Mirror the Amazon and matriarch of Elder Bernard Oriahi of Ebudo Quarters, Oza-Nogogo, Delta State, spoke on the journey so far and her great love for God and His kingdom.
Enjoy reading:
It’s a pleasure to meet you Madam, can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Mrs Nkechi Narice Oriahi.
Can you tell us about your background?
I’m from a family of five children from my mother of blessed memory. My father, Mr Michael Egbon Egbule, also of blessed memory, was a soldier while my mother, Mrs Helen Egbule, nee, Ajari was a business woman. My father is from Idumuesah and my mother from Ihogbe, Ime- Obi.
Which schools did you attend?
I did my primary education school partly in Agbor, precisely at Orogodo Primary School, Port-Harcourt (Elekioya Primary School, Diobu, Mile 2) and finally,, at Setti Primary School in the defunct Gongola State. My primary education was in three different schools because of the movements associated with military work. Thereafter, myself and my siblings were relocated to Agbor from where I was admitted into St Kizito Grammar School, Elahor now Elahor Grammar School, in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State. I was in the boarding house all through my college years. After my secondary school education, I proceeded to Federal Polytechnic, Auchi where I bagged OND and HND certificates in Office Management. I also did a business program at the University of Lagos.
How was life during your growing up days?
During my growing up days I had a lot of ups and down encounters. As a teenager I lost my mother when I was in form 2. She was a great businesswoman .
She was a pioneer of the famous Ozigolo market women in Agbor that traded on food stuff. She died in motor accident in one of her trips to Ozigolo. So, I grew up listening to other mothers counseling their children and daughters. However, I had an aunty (Nne Agat) who whenever I visited her any time I was on holidays in Agbor warned and advised me not to allow any man touch me so as to avoid unwanted pregnancy. She continued without stop and I yielded to her advice and distant myself from men. I grew up not socializing because Aunty Agat’ s advice was always ringing bells in my ears. I grew up to always be on my own. I don’t like too much talk or show off. I’m always on the quiet side. I was like that when I met my husband, Ben Oriahi.
How did you meet your husband?
We met in a commercial bus on my way from Benin-City to Agbor. When he approached me I was reluctant to tell him anything about me. After we got to Agbor, he continued to visit until I accepted him. Today, we are happily married with children.
As a student what was your dream job or profession?
I had always wanted to manage my own busines. Like I said earlier, my mother was a great businesswoman. So, I dreamt to be like her. I worked for some years with National Emergency Relief Agency, Lagos before I delved into business. Currently, I’m the Managing Director, Benke Hotels Ltd, Lagos.
You clock 60 years in March this year, how do you feel?
At 60, I feel great. I feel the faithfulness of God. I feel the mercy of God. I feel the favour of God. I feel the abundant grace of God upon me for living up to this day. I’m grateful to God for where I am today. I’m eternally grateful to God for where he is taking me to in Jesus name
How has it been all these years?
It has been a life full of wonders. At every stage you encounter things and people that teach you to be humble, to thread with care and wisdom, to be tough in some situations, to be scared of some people you earlier trusted.
Do you have any regret in some steps taken thus far to achieve success?
I regretted that I was too open to some people who later were not reliable
Who exactly is Mrs Nkechi Narice Oriahi?
Nkechi Narice Oriahi is a very simple person, humble, down to earth, very contented, very hard-working, very disciplined, very committed, dedicated and faithful to any relationship that i enter into. I do not gather much friends. I am a woman of my words. I do note engage in promise and fail. I do not engage in packaging or be artificial . I do not make noise but make news. I am Achara Epukin( Fresh grass), the hen that shields her chicks from the hawk. I am the spiritual mentor of the family, and a woman of faith. I don’t gives up easily, I always want to be seen as a virtuous woman that God use. I AMA gifted architect, a strategic planner, the guru in home and financial management, the prudent manager of scarce resources, home and family reconciliator (Odozi Ali), an administrator, a helper and builder, a silent performer, and an achiever. For those who see me from far, they will say she is strict and disciplined but all agree that I am kind hearted and not wicked.
What would you attribute to your success in life?
It is God’s mercy and favour, nothing else.
In what ways are you giving back to God, humanity and the society?
The scripture made us to understand that we are blessed to be a blessing. I give back the blessing received from God through tithing, offering, thanksgiving, engaging in kingdom advancement endeavours , attending to the needs in the church. I give to humanity and the society at the level of my capacity.
I give to to inmates at Old Peoples Homes, Orphanages and less privileged persons. We also do yearly scholarship program to Oza-Nogogo students in tertiary institutions. This year, as I celebrate my 60th birthday, everything is tilted towards giving thanks to God and giving to humanity. God has been very faithful to me. So, I’m not in to make money at the celebration but to show love to Ebudo women in Oza-Nogogo who are 60 years and above. During my celebration I have a token to share with them.
Also during the celebration, message will be preached on soul winning, beneficiaries of our yearly scholarship program will receive their money, Oza-Nogogo Vigilante Group will be empowered and lastly, ten best farmers from Oza-Nogogo will be given farm tools.
What’s your take on the continued moral decadence among female children in Nigeria. How will it be addressed?
In recent times, the moral decadence among female children has increased since the inception of social media where all sorts of immoral things are viewed online.
My take is that our female children should be taught contentment to enable them not to emulate bad friends. The fear of God should be in them. They should be counselled on the dangers of peer group influence.
On the way forward, Government should try to put things in place to help young children not to go into crime or immoral acts, particularly taking steps to reduce the rate of poverty in the society.
Poverty may not be the reason for immorality as many people like us were not born with silver spoons yet we grew up to be upright in morals.
At 60, what will you be doing differently henceforth?
I will try and place myself on a diet. I will try to always have enough rest, to reduce stress. I will focus more in serving God and in the interest of God’s Kingdom.
You are too concerned about God, are you an evangelist?
I’m a church worker. I do not believe in titles. I’m from Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), from the headquarters at Ota.
What is the secret of building a good home?
What I know is that there are no perfect people or couple. To build a good home in marriage, the man and woman have to tolerate each other. You have to disagree to agree,no person should dominate any discussion or suggestion. There must be a spirit of forgiveness because in a home there may sometimes be offences.
Above all, let couples always follow instructions in the scripture. The book of Ephesians 5 verse 22-23 summarizes everything.
What’s your advice for young married women?
They must be committed to their marriages else destruction will sweep the marriages away. They must avoid third a party except where very necessary. A young married woman must be a prudent wife, avoid nagging. Couples must learn how to express their feelings, they should be open to each other. The woman should not enter into an association that will put financial pressure in the home. The woman should live a lifestyle of a virtuous woman. She must be prayerful and sensitive to everything that happens around her home and marriage, including the issues of her children.
Is there anything else you would love to say using this opportunity?
Above all, in everything we should give glory to God. That is what the scripture has admonished us to do. Avoid grudge and give thanks to God always.
I am eternally grateful to God for the gift of life at 60 and beyond.
