Uche Isieke Profile

MANI AZUBUIKE: LEADING A TEAM OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF OKA IN DIASPORA PROGRESSIVE TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FOR THE RURAL COMMUNITY

By Uche Isieke



When we started to Stand  Up To Be Counted Programme in 2016, many came asking "when is it going to be launched"; my response has been "anytime you and I decided to do something remarkable for the community and livelihoods, you are unconsciously launching SUTBC in the progressive direction.

It is a rural development ideology sold to the people, that only those who understood the concept could run and cover many miles of underdevelopment, ignorance, poverty, infrastructural decay, mediocrity and maladministration, for the uncommon rural transformation.

Our brother Chukwukamji Azubuike is among such brilliant progressives who truly understood the ideology of the modern rural development in its sustainable form; he is running with it, and the people are happy 😂.

Who else is running with the  STAND UP TO BE COUNTED ideology for Oka?

Happy Birthday to a great son of Arutumibe, and the Coordinator, Oka Arutumibe in North America, and the Covid19 Palliative Initiative for Oka Community.

The first phase of COVID 19  relief items delivered to the Oka rural community  (45 bags of rice), courtesy of Oka Arutumibe in North America, led by Mani Azubike

 The initiative has reached the entire Oka of nine villages, enhanced the nutritional value of over 500 households, and has improved the livelihoods of over 2,000 rural populace.

The second phase of COVID 19 relief items ( 45 bags of beans) delivered to the Oka rural community, by the Oka Arutumibe in North America Association, led by Mani Azubuike.

If you are happy about this uncommon gesture, please send your birthday wishes to him.

Congratulations 🎉

Uche Isieke is a humanitarian, an environmentalist, rural development advocate, blogger and a storytelling enthusiast. He is also the Executive Director of Rural Watch Africa Initiative ( RUWAI ), a nonprofit committed to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable rural communities facing poverty; environmental, social and economic injustice. His selfless contribution to his community has received several accolades; his legacy for inclusive community development - inspiring members of the community to lead their development.
Contact: ucheisieke@gmail.com

A REWARDING 35 YEARS OF DILIGENCE: TOGETHERNESS IN SERVICE AND MARRIAGE - PROFESSOR INNOCENT ONONIWU AND WIFE

By Uche Isieke


Professor Innocent Ononiwu is a great uncle whom I always admire his leadership style, from back then he was a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
He means many things to many people - an academic, researcher, poet, counsellor, scientist, pharmacologist, author, teacher, preacher, pastor, children lover, disciplinarian etc.

An unrepentant believer of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, uncle Inno, through his regular Bubble Easter program among others, has brought thousands of souls to the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ.

Before he left Nigeria, he was the Field Representative of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship international - Nigeria.

I have been blessed under his ministration; using social concepts to spread the gospel is one innovate design uncle Inno evolves in mobilizing youths who probably progressed in the diagonal form, and transformed them into Kingdom change agents. Professor I.M. Ononinwu has written several books covering science, sociology, Christian evangelism, marriage and comics.

His wife, my dear lovely auntie Vickie, is an amazing woman of honour. Her humility and sense of accommodation are phenomenal. Even at her then position back in the year  2002,  as senior management staff of Slumberger Port Harcourt Nigeria, she never allowed that influenced her social, religious and marital status.

I remembered her engaging me to supervise her small business, just to make sure I wasn't idle as a young secondary school graduate, even when we weren't making the expected profits, she insisted that the place must go on- so it was no idle time for me, as I would go to the shop in the morning, and the evening, for my extra moral class.
That is one way to define a woman who loves humanity and not moved by the substance.

For the past 35 years,  uncle Inno and auntie Vickie has nurtured and raised a Godly home with amazing children of distinctive academic and career records.

My younger niece Dr.Agozie ( the first daughter), before living Nigeria won several awards at both local and international competitions - while schooled at Montessori International Port Harcourt, and Igbenedion Demonstration School Centre, Benin respectively.
She published her first book ( Fun For Five, a must-read for every child) at the age of  Twelve years; the then Vice President Atiku Abubakar was represented during the book launch which to places at the prestigious Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.

The motive behind this note is to digitally document my love and thankfulness to the family and to testify how God rewards those who diligently seek Him.  When we follow and serve God in line with His principles,  He will build for us, a complete, and an exemplary home to His glory.

Professor Innocent and Mrs Vickie Ononiwu both hails from Imo state, Nigeria 🇳🇬, happily married for 35 years and counting, with 4 amazing children. They are based in the United States of America.

Happy 35 Years Marriage 💍 Anniversary 🎉 🎉.


Uche Isieke is a humanitarian, environmentalist, rural development advocate, blogger and storytelling enthusiast.

Contact: ucheisieke@gmail.com

AVOCADOS: TOWARDS RURAL ECONOMIC EMANCIPATION AND HEALTHY AGROECOLOGY

By Uche Isieke


The avocado, otherwise known as Persea Americana, is an indigenous tree originally grown in South Central Mexico. It is classified as a member of the flowering plant family ( Lauraceae). The fruit is called an avocado pear or alligator pear, a low berry with a single large seed.

Avocados are commercially valuable and are cultivated in tropical climate throughout the world. It has some potential health benefits such as enhanced digestion, reducing the risk of depression and protection against cancer.

It is known for its natural high nutrient density with over 20 vitamins and minerals.
An orchard can create jobs by demanding labour, packaging, operations, transportation, and marketing.

Avocados are a nutrient-dense food and are high in insoluble fibre as well as potassium, the vitamin B and vitamin E, magnesium and folate.

According to Global Avocado Market report 2020, the market is valued at  $11, 880 billion ( dollars) this year is expected to rise to $15billion by the end of 2026, growing at a cumulative amount growth rate of 3.3 per cent during 2020-2026. The demand for avocados is strong and keeps growing. This portends good news for local farmers. The top importers are the United States, Netherlands, Germany and France.

Presently, there are 11 countries leading to the production of avocados. These include Mexico, Colombia, Kenya, Indonesia, Venezuela, China, Dominican Republic, Peru and Israel.

With Mexico, Peru and the Netherlands leading in the export market.
According to Fact MR, a market-based research firm, the application of avocado extract remains highly consolidated in the food and beverage industry, with it's estimated  approximately 35 per cent of extract application in 2019. The research showed the growing consumer preference for natural ( organic)  ingredients in food products and clean label trend, were some factors fueling the utilization of avocado extracts in the industry.

The study further revealed that the consumption rate of avocado among the pharmaceutical sector is expected to grow at 7.1 per cent.


In Africa, Kenya is the leading exporter of avocados. It accounts for nearly one-fifth of its total horticultural exports. The country exported  72, 000 tonnes of avocados which are valued at approximately $118 million ( dollars). The smallholder farmer's involvement in Kenya export markets also increased employment opportunities.

According to experts, the avocado farm would produce a Gross Income of $8,000 to $15, 000 dollars per acre, and require five or six acre-feet of water per acre, per year.
Greenhouse and foliage plants can produce $500, 000 ( dollars) per acre and require about half the water avocado farms need.

The avocado market in Nigeria is untapped and far below the growing demand. Nigeria has a huge potential for commercial production of avocados for export and local industries but most production is done at subsistence level by rural dwellers with obsolete inputs.
Avocado is largely grown in the Southern Nigerian states of Abia, Delta, Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Anambra and Oyo.

It can be used in agroforestry, especially in these regions where soil erosion is endemic and has adversely affected agricultural production and soil quality.

If properly managed, avocados industrial potential can contribute to enhancing Nigeria's economic growth by creating jobs for the recently reported 21.7 million unemployed Nigerians, with   Imo state leading the highest, with  48.7 rates. (NBS 2020).

Rural Watch Africa Initiative ( RUWAI), is engaging smallholder farmers in rural communities, facing land degradation, particularly in the Southern states of Nigeria in agroforestry by using indigenous economic trees such as avocados, in order to reduce degradation,  increase soil health and crop production, as well as provide a sustainable income opportunity for rural women.

Through advocacy,  communities engagement and capacity building for the local farmers, as well as access to farm inputs, avocado has the export potential to generate #12billion ( naira) annually for the country. This will immeasurably contribute to Nigeria's NDCs, towards emissions reduction; increased food nutritional intake, enhance rural livelihood support system and strengthening of biodiversity, - another gold in disguise, towards the economic emancipation.



Uche Isieke is rural development advocate whose focus is on building resilience and sustainable livelihood systems for the rural poor and marginalised communities in Nigeria and Africa, at large. He is a young development professional with nearly ten years of practical experience in the nonprofit sector. He has mentored over 50 young Nigerian youths, leading as change agents in their respective local communities.
 Through his initiative, he has reached over 10 communities involving thousands of lives livelihoods for sustainable management of their natural resources, for incomes, poverty reduction, food security, job creation and ecological resilience.
  He is the Executive Director, Rural Watch Africa Initiative( RUWAI), a nonprofit committed to combating poverty, income disparities, food insecurity, gender inequality and climate change impact.

Email: ucheisieke@gmail.com