Why we exist

Our story

Mr Joachin Okonkwo is a man with a large heart who has sponsored many people through school. In his humility, he never wants to disclose how many people he is helping or has helped. He supports all underprivileged people, not only those who need help with school.

He dislikes the word "philanthropy" because he feels it is self-glorifying, so we use it only for lack of a better word.

His heart's desire is to see agriculture account for 80% of Nigeria's (and Africa's) revenue, and to change the reliance on oil to a reliance on agriculture. Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa have the resources to become the number-one exporter of cocoa, shea, palm produce and more.

He wants agriculture to be the first career choice for young people, our future. Agriculture, above and beyond farming, includes forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, beekeeping, mushroom growing, arboriculture and more, and there is wealth in it. Modern farming does not mean being ragged and poor.

The media and the West's portrayal of African farmers as destitute has not helped.

He believes agriculture is essential because no one can survive without its products, and that any nation self-sufficient in agriculture has overcome poverty, because agriculture is the backbone of every economy.

So the foundation was born to make sure help is given to anyone interested in studying agriculture and related courses at university, and to become a lasting legacy: a platform through which anyone who wants to sponsor that ambition can change a life.

The foundation was established in 2017 by Mr Joachin Okonkwo and his wife, Mrs Salma Okonkwo.