Our coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Oko-Jaja is a minister of the word, a lover of the youths and one that is passionate about God’s mandate in these times. She is the wife of Rt. Rev. Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, the bishop of Niger Delta West. This page gives a little insight to the woman who birthed this great vision and how she came to be the visionary.
Her Birth
She was born on the 6th of July, 1968 at Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. She is the 6th child of her mother. She is the daughter of Barr. Zacchaeus & Mrs. Merina Nwosu.
The beginning of her Christian life
She was born into a religious family but fell in love with Jesus in her teens, precisely age 17. That was the beginning of her walk. It was then that she knew that a young girl can serve God whole heartedly.
Her marital life
She got married 13th December, 1997 to the love of her life, Rt. Rev. Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, the bishop of Niger Delta West. The union is blessed with five arrows (Naomi, Lois, Emmanuel, Favour and Paul) and also other numerous children.
Her Academic life
She attended Urban Primary School, Okigwe also Girls’ Secondary School Ovim, Abia State. She went to College of Education Eha-Amufu, Enugu State (formerly Anambra) to read Economics and Social Studies. She also went to the University of Uyo to read Social Studies. She went ahead to get Masters in Education Planning at the University of Port Harcourt and also her Doctorate degree in Educational Planning at the same university.
Her walk with the youth
Her passion for youths began as she gave her life to Christ and she enjoyed seeing youth serve God. On getting married to her husband who is a pastor she discovered that there was a passion in talking to the youths. She felt so happy talking to the youths compared to other activities. Understanding how important it is to serve God from a youthful age, she wanted the youths to also experience God. Because of her love of the youths, God spoke to her to write a book for the youths – Marriage: a guide to a blissful union, formerly Marriage: a bane or a blessing (although at first she was hesitant to the idea) and thus began the journey as her author.
After her first book, she became more passionate about the youths, which birthed the second book – Living without Regrets. From then on she went on to write more books: Shortcut (formerly Living Behind the Vow), Single & His Life, Exploring your word, Great Mistake, Hidden Treasure, Prophets in the Cave, World Changers, Before & After I Do & Pastor’s Wives. (Get a description of her books here, on her website).
Through these experiences, her vision grew and she realized that it was not only about writing books and going to places to minister, that it would be good to set up a platform where youths can be mobilized. It wasn’t until she went to Bayelsa in 2010 that this vision would be realized. In 2011, her husband suggested that she should set up a platform (read more for the history of Flavour for Singles) and Flavour for Singles started as a monthly program.
Dr. Mrs Chinyere Oko-jaja is one of the mothers of this generation who is passionately concerned about the youths. She is a mother, a mentor, life coach and counselor and we are grateful to have her as our visionary here at Flavour for Singles Youth Ministry.