CHRIS OKOTIE'S BIOGRAPHY

Reverend Chris Okotie
Born: June 16, 1959
Birthplace: Ethiope West, Delta State.

Reverend Chris Okotie was born Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie to Francis Idje and Cecilia Okotie, in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta State : South-South Nigeria on June 16, 1959.

As a growing child, he always loved to sing. While in secondary school at Edo College, Benin City, he belonged to the school's Music Club and usually entertained groups of people. He never considered commercialising his talent until his first year at the University, when his father died. He earned an L.L.B. Hons in 1984, from the University of Nigeria Nsukka - Enugu Campus.

Rather than practise Law, Okotie attended The Grace Fellowship Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma [United States] and became a preacher of the Gospel.

The problems faced by the young preacher were as daunting, as they were varied. He gained a lot of criticism as the entertainment industry and his fans, wondered at the choice of occupation he made at the peak of his musical career.

However, in 1990, Okotie set an impeccable record by introducing the GRACE Program/ Karis Award as an annual charity event hosted at the church where he pastors; The HouseHold of God International Ministries, Lagos, Nigeria. The guiding philosophy being that greatness does not consist in being great but in the ability to make others great. The Karis Award gives recognition to, while financially rewarding Nigerians who had offered distinguished service to the nation, but are not recognized nor rewarded for their contributions to the nation building.

Some recipients of The Karis Award are, Prof. Chike Obi, the renowned mathematician (1996),D.I.G. Chris Omeben, a retired Policeman famous for his transparent honesty(1997), Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi who designed the national flag (1998), Late Hogan Bassey, former Commonwealth and World Boxing Champion (1999), Chief Michael Imodou, the Veteran Labour Leader (2000), Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo (2001), Nationalist and Woman Activist, Late Mallam Aminu Kano , Nationalist (2004)and Isaac Adaka Boro , Human Rights Activist (2005).

The GRACE Program also makes regular cash and material contributions to charity organizations such as the SOS Children Village, the Sunshine Foundation, Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted and Little Saints Orphanage, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria amongst others including individuals who have enjoyed the benevolence and vision of a man with a heart for the people. The Childcare Trust, a pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo has also enjoyed the benevolence of Reverend Okotie.

To his credit also, from the pulpit of the church as a clergyman, Okotie has patriotism resplendent in the fervor with which the Nigerian National Anthem is intoned at the close of every service or meeting.

Known for his open-mindedness and candor, his friends cut across religious, ethnic, gender and social barriers. It is on record that he was a close friend and confidant of the Late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections. And even under the most dangerous and perilous times in the history of the Nigerian nation, he proved to be the proverbial friend 'who sticks closer than a brother.' It is little wonder that he was voted 'Man of the Year' by National Encomium Magazine in 2002 for 'daring to speak in the face of adversity and threat to his life'.

An auspicious year, the year 2002 witnessed the publication of Okotie's book, The Last Outcast, a widely acclaimed publication fast making the bestseller list.

However, the steady decline of the Nigerian nation became Okotie's next big challenge. Thus, his advent into politics. He has this vision to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of poverty, ethnic chauvinism and religous bigotry, believing that Nigeria with its vast human and material resources has no business with poverty but for corruption, which has become a way of life for most Nigerian people.

He states, "Our leaders and those in authority are totally insensitive to the feelings, comfort and sufferings of their fellow citizens. The citizens on the other hand, being subdued to long-term oppression, glory in the diabolic and surpass ourselves by worshipping nonentities and posturing to action. We now prefer palliatives rather than cure, we have parasitism and has elevated it to a way of life while the political class entertain vaulting and limitless ambition.

My friends and fellow citizens, unless there is a generational shift, that is to say, except the old breed politicians make way for the younger generation, we may continue to wander in the political and socio-economic wilderness without finding our bearing as a nation.

As for my plans for reviving the nation's economy, I believe that the issue of endowment fidelity must be addressed i.e a commitment to the natural resources that God has placed in our Land. Despite the selfishness and parochial tendencies of our leaders, there is still enough to be derived from agriculture, taxation and education. There is still enough for us to build a great nation.

For me, change has begun and that change is inevitable. I want you to know that I have in the past fifteen years, been studying the concept of governance and I have come away realizing that all we need is focused leadersip. Throughout history, God has always changed mankind through leadership. I present myself as that leader for the Nigerian nation at this time.

I believe in a FRESH Nigeria where F stands for Faith, R for Responsibility, E for Equality, S for Security and H for Hope. My name is Reverend Chris Okotie and I have chosen to stand with my fellow Nigerians to say no to status quo."