Ruth Igbokwe: A Heart For Social Impact!

Ruth Igbokwe’s Global Illumination Journey: “A life worth living is a life that empowers others to keep living”.

By David Oletu (DCM)

In a world where social responsibility is paramount, community development and social impact initiatives have never been more crucial.

TheDiadem Magazine is honoured to feature Ruth Igbokwe, an exceptional young achiever dedicated to empowering her community and its youth.

Join us as we explore her inspiring global illumination journey and gain valuable insights into community development.

This interview is sure to inspire you to make a positive difference in your own community.

Ruth Igbokwe: A Heart For Social Impact!

DCM: Can we meet you?

Ruth: I am Ruth Chinzaepkere Igbokwe,a multifaceted Nigerian professional with expertise in Digital Marketing,

Email Marketing, Content Creation, Social Media Management, Public Speaking, and Language Coaching.

With a strong foundation in various subjects, I am passionate about tackling challenging marketing problems.

As the founder and CEO of Rutilingual Language Centre, I oversee a centre that teaches English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Sign Language.

Beyond my entrepreneurial pursuits, I am dedicated to community development.

I organize an annual Youth Empowerment Conference, empowering 2,000 youths with essential academic and vocational skills.

As a writer, I have authored several books, including “Je vais à l’école” (a French language book for beginners), “Dear Undergraduate,” and “Illumination.”

My academic achievements are equally impressive, having served as Assistant Head of Class for over 130 students from my 100 level to my final year.

In addition to my academic accomplishments,

I held key positions in various associations, which include Head of Writing Class, and Vice President of the Literary Voice Club at Lagos State University

My professional affiliations and certifications include:

– Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigeria Police Force PCRC, Area G Command

– Member, Junior Chamber International (JCI)

– +…Member, Institute of Professional Entrepreneurship Development

And- Member, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

– Certified in HRM, Customer Relations, Digital Marketing, and Project Management

Ruth Igbokwe: A Heart For Social Impact!

DCM: Impressive! Can you elaborate on specific projects you’ve been involved in, and how they align with your values?

Ruth: I am passionate about making positive impacts in my community;

thus, I embarked on numerous personal projects and group projects, such as:

Youth empowerment for over 100 youths on vocational skills in my community,

empowering and certifying over 50 hearing-impaired students at Hope Fountain School for the Deaf on Footwear design and Shoe making,

Health Screening outreach for Adults and Nigeria Police men and women, and Book Tour project;

giving out free Christian books to Secondary School students, which promotes the SDGs goals and, more importantly, changes lives positively.

One of the projects I was involved in was empowering and certifying over 50 hearing-impaired students at Hope Fountain School for the Deaf on Shoe making.

It all started with the determination to impact lives in a big way through Footwear design and Shoe-making before the end of my service year.

After thinking big and experiencing certain limitations in my first intended project, I was glad that this particular project was executed.

We trained and certified over 50 students in Footwear design and Shoe making at Hope Fountain School for the Deaf.

I thank God for the success of the project.

And I thank Him for His direction, inspiration, provision, and favour.

Furthermore, I sincerely appreciate Nnam Okechukwu Samuel for sponsoring the great project.

May God continue to bless him and his family. A life worth living is a life that empowers others to keep living. Thank you so much, Sir.

I also express my deep appreciation to Samson Oluwapelumi. We thank you for your kind support towards the success of the project. May God bless you, Sir.

I want to shout out to the best team to work with—Ifako-Ijaiye DKFs—thank you for showing good team spirit, understanding, support, and encouragement.

My deepest appreciation goes to the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ojokoro branch, for being the best partner to work with.

We recognize your efforts, love for humanity, and spirit of impact. And We thank you.

One of my recent projects is the Book Tour to Secondary Schools project.

On Friday, 4th October 2024, I led a team of young Illuminates on my book tour and evangelical outreach to Ijaye Ojokoro Senior College,

where I spoke to senior secondary school students and a few junior students in attendance about the love of God,

and the possibilities of achieving greater things with the spirit and mind of God.

We impacted students from different backgrounds, classes, and communities.

Also, We shared 20 free copies of my books, “ILLUMINATION” and “DEAR UNDERGRADUATE,” to converts and School Fellowship Executives.

I really appreciate these Global lights: Samuel Bello, Stevens Breakthrough, Ruth Abiona, Treasure Stevens Oluwapamilerin, Igbokwe Prince, and Mary for being very supportive.

Thank you for the prayers, support, and sacrifice. I am grateful to you all and everyone who supported making it a success.

By the grace of God, for the past few months, I have reached out to over 200 school students, and we look forward to impacting more lives positively.

A Heart For Social Impact: Ruth Igbokwe’s Global Illumination Journey

DCM: What inspired you to start touring secondary schools for your ‘Global Illumination’ outreach and what has been the experience so far?

Ruth: I vividly recall having a dream where a crowd of students were waiting for me to speak to them, but I took lots of unnecessary time preparing.

So, I woke up from the dream with burdens but could not figure out what exactly I needed to do.

A few days later, God inspired me to write a Christian book for young people.

During prayers, I got lots of affirmations that my book, “ILLUMINATION,” would affect lots of lives positively for Christ.

A few months later, I got another burden in my heart to carry out an evangelistic outreach, where I would give out all the copies of my book, “ILLUMINATION,” to students.

This brought about the creation of a Global Illumination network team for the book tour.

God is my greatest source of inspiration, and my team members were my biggest motivators.

The experience has been great.

Having to evangelize using topics from my book, and seeing students give their lives to Christ during the altar call, gives me great joy and fulfillment.

DCM: What challenges did you face in your community development and outreach project efforts?

Ruth: In executing most projects, funds and time are often needed.

Fundraising for my projects was one of the challenges I faced.

I also had to make lots of sacrifices: financial commitments, time, and energy into projects.

Combining work and social impact projects was a challenge that I needed to find a way to balance.

Ruth Igbokwe: A Heart For Social Impact!

DCM: How do you stay grounded and focused on your mission amidst challenges?

Ruth: I believe that challenges are stepping-stones to our success.

However, I do not see challenges as impossibilities, but I see challenges as things I need to overcome to make me better and successful.

Furthermore, I constantly pray and trust in God to make a way where there is no way and supply all my needs.

DCM: What bible verse or scripture inspires you the most, and why?

Ruth: Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

This passage of the Bible gives me strong assurance that with the backing of God, there is nothing impossible for me to achieve.

Philippians 4:13 KJV
[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.13.KJV

DCM: What message do you hope to convey to young people about their potential and possibilities?

Ruth: There are lots of messages I would like to convey to young people about their potential and possibilities.

I wrote a book titled ‘Dear Undergraduate’ and ‘Illumination’ vol. 1 and 2 for young people on how to live a successful undergraduate life,

discover the depth of God, and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

‘Dear Undergraduate’ explicates how an undergraduate student could live a life of excellence despite challenges, failures, difficulties, and hardship.

It exposes students to steps to succeed academically, financially, mentally, and morally.

This exceptional book is inspirational, practical, and encourages students to strive.

‘Dear Undergraduates’ is a book that expands the mind and teaches the act of multitasking for students.

Each page is filled with amazing, educative, and mind-blowing epistles, such as:

“Just Try,” “30 Key Principles You Should Know When You Are Offered Admission,” “Time,” “To Forgive Is Divine,” “Develop Patience,”

“Depression: The Slow Killer,” “The Language of Academic Excellence,” “Strategic Leadership Qualities in the 21st Century,” “Be Kind,”

“The Power of Appreciation,” “The God Factor,” “Find Purpose,” “Decency,” “Life Is in Stages,” “Face Your Fears,” “Dare to Be Different,”

“Be Focused,” “Smart Work or Hard Work,” “Be Strong and Keep Pushing,” “Principles for Working and Studying,” “Mental Health: Effect of Stress on Academic Performance,”

“Live a Productive Final Year Life,” “Final Year Project Writing: The Way Forward,” “How to Balance Academics and Spiritual Life,” “Words Are Like Stones,”

“Harnessing Your Skills as a Student,” “Be Prepared,” “Develop Patience,” “Who Is Your Friend?” “Secret to Relating Well with ‘Difficult’ Lecturers,”

“How to Maintain the Status of a Good CGPA,” “Your Action Today Determines Your Future,” and “10 Ways of Handling Challenges as a Leader,” and “Decision Making in Leadership.”

This book is valuable to all students who are yet to get admission into the university and undergraduates.

The book ‘Illumination’ exposes and awakens us to the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ.

I recommend you read any of these books.

If there is a will to succeed, there is a way.

Conclusively, dear young one, dream it, work your dreams, trust God, and you will definitely achieve all your dreams.

A Heart For Social Impact: Ruth Igbokwe’s Global Illumination Journey

DCM: How do you encourage young people to resist corruption and moral decadence in these trying times?

Ruth: In a world where corruption, lust, unforgiveness, pride, gossip, jealousy,

and fornication have become the norm, the love of many towards seeking God is gradually going cold.

A sinner is under the influence and power of the devil, who has enslaved him and darkened his understanding so that he would not behold the glorious gospel of Christ.

He is without any spiritual sight and lacks a true sense of his spiritual state or condition; he does not know the way of peace, life, and light.

According to 2 Timothy 2:22,

“Flee from youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

DCM: What advice or words of encouragement would you give to other young people like you, who are looking forward to making global positive impacts?

Ruth: My advice  or words of encouragement for young people like me, who are looking forward to making global impacts are listed below:

–     Pray to receive inspiration from God.

– ⁠Live a life void of offence towards God and men

– ⁠Start by showing kindness to people around you

– ⁠Be intentional

– ⁠Identify needs in your community

– ⁠Look for ways to proffer solutions

– ⁠Make adequate preparations

– ⁠See challenges as stepping stones to success

– ⁠Seek to please God in all you do

– ⁠Learn to sacrifice time, resources, commitment and energy to projects

– ⁠Don’t give up.

Ruth Igbokwe: A Heart For Social Impact!

DCM: Could you share with us your unforgettable testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace in your life?

Ruth: God has always been faithful to me on many occasions.

One unforgettable testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace in life that I would like to share is that of my second book launch.

God really showed Himself beyond my imagination.

I made my first million naira on the day of my book launch. I didn’t even expect it. God is always good and faithful to His word.

DCM: Any final words?

Ruth: According to Matthew 13:44, the kingdom of God is likened to a treasure hidden in a field.

We place so much value on treasures. We go a long way to make a lot of sacrifices and efforts just to secure what we treasure.

To have access to God’s treasure, sinners are to come to the knowledge of God,

and Christians are obligated to continue to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added to them.

To every young person out there, I recommend you read my book, ‘Illumination Vol. 2 (Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness)’,

to get more exposition and knowledge on seeking God’s kingdom.

Thank you, and God bless you!

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A Heart For Social Impact: Ruth Igbokwe’s Global Illumination Journey