Award for business and enterprise – 10th December 2015
Awardee profile
Happily married to Chief Barr. John A. A. Ochoga and blessed with four children (two boys and two girls)
Early life and study between 1960-1976 in Otukpo (Benue State) and Jos (Plateau State) respectively
Higher education between 1976-2005 in Kastin-Ala (Benue State), Zaria (Kaduna) and Abuja (FCT)
PhD in Public Administration and Policy analyses (University of Abuja, 2005)
Founder of Family Value Group, a non-profit movement that focuses on Women Empowerment issues and the Protection of Traditional African Family values.
Principal Assistant Registrar (Academics), Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo (1994-1996)
Deputy Registrar (Personnel), Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo (1996-1999)
Registrar, Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo (1999-2007)
Three time Commissioner in Benue State, Nigeria:
- Commissioner of Women Affairs & Social Development (2007-2009)
- Commissioner of Youth & Sports (2009-2010)
- Commissioner of Information & Culture (2010-May, 2011)
Conferences and seminars
- Workshop/Seminar on managing the physically challenged (people with disabilities). Management, Rehabilitation and the Empowerment of the disabled people, Bangkok, Thailand. 1st – 6th September, 2007.
- Reproductive Health Workshop, Abuja, Nigeria. 16th – 18th September, 2007.
- Workshop on Women Empowerment and Equality, Chennai, India. 13th – 18th December, 2007 organised by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- Conference of Wives of Governors of the 19 Northern states held at Kashim Ibrahim House, Kawo, Kaduna. 14th – 15th April, 2008. Themes: Way forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS in northern states; prevention and eradication of blindness; and elimination of harmful traditional practices against women.
- Awareness and Sensitization Workshop on Cancer and other Diseases, Abuja. 12th – 14th May, 2008.
- National Seminar on Women and Micro-financing, Abuja by Zenith Educational Consult Ltd 15th – 17th May, 2008.
- 41st Session of the committee on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, New York, 30th June – 8th July, 2008.
- 11th Regular National Council Conference on Women Affairs and Social Development, National Council of Women Affairs and Social Development, NCWD, Abuja, 27th – 28th April, 2009. Theme: Promoting a National Agenda for Inclusion of the Vulnerable in the Society.
- 1st National Round Table Conference of the Wives of Governors, Deputy Governors, and Women Appointees. Theme: 30% Affirmative Action, HIV/AIDS, Female Circumcision and Sexual abuses. 3rd – 5th June, 2009.
- Workshop on Sensitization of opinion leaders on Harmful Traditional Practices, Makurdi. 10th November, 2009.
- African Conference on Women in governance, business and community leadership and women of influence award 2010, Bijilo, the Gambia. 29th – 30th May, 2010.
Books written
- Redefining Public Administration in Benue State
- Contemporary Social Issues; Aging and Women Health
Businesses making huge local impact:
- Abenu waters (water purification and distribution company) in Otukpo
- Agbenu Bridge college Otukpo