Dr. (Mrs) Diana Agbenu Ochoga

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. 1^st – 6^th September, 2007.
• Reproductive Health Workshop, Abuja, Nigeria. 16^th – 18^th September, 2007.
• Workshop on Women Empowerment and Equality, Chennai, India. 13^th – 18^th 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. 14^th – 15^th 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. 12^th – 14^th May, 2008.
• National Seminar on Women and Micro-financing, Abuja by Zenith Educational Consult Ltd 15^th – 17^th May, 2008.
• 41^st Session of the committee on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, New York, 30^th June – 8^th July, 2008.
• 11^th Regular National Council Conference on Women Affairs and Social Development, National Council of Women Affairs and Social Development, NCWD, Abuja, 27^th – 28^th April, 2009. Theme: Promoting a National Agenda for Inclusion of the Vulnerable in the Society.
• 1^st 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. 3^rd – 5^th June, 2009.
• Workshop on Sensitization of opinion leaders on Harmful Traditional Practices, Makurdi. 10^th November, 2009.
• African Conference on Women in governance, business and community leadership and women of influence award 2010, Bijilo, the Gambia. 29^th – 30^th 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