Dr. Sam Ochieng Received EPRA, Leadership and Entrepreneurial Award (The Most Influential Leader Year 2018). Presented by Otunba Adebayo Adeshina The Founder/Director O.bay Community Trust and Adex Solar Limited.
Dr. Ochieng is a successful Kenyan Born international businessman based in the UK with over 20 years top-level experience in business management. Dr. Ochieng clearly exemplifies the virtue of good leadership through his dedication as a community leader actively involved in civil society organizations that serve tens of thousands of Kenyans and Africans and other communities in the UK.
In 1991, there existed very few organizations that catered for the diverse needs of Africans who travelled to the UK to study, to visit, for treatment or to settle. In 1994, Dr. Ochieng was part of a team which started SACOMA GLOBAL LTD, a social enterprise, providing Information Advice & guidance (IAG) in various areas such as job search, immigration and business start-ups.
Over the years, his immense contribution as a Director at SACOMA Global has enabled the successful transition of thousands of families and individuals to the UK. SACOMA Global has afforded much success in welcoming, supporting, advocating, and mentoring new arrivals mostly from Africa to the UK. Dr. Ochieng has assisted more than 15,000 African families to settle permanently in the UK as a qualified Business Advisor registered with the British Business Advisors Association. In addition, he has supported more than 200 Africans to start their own business in the UK.
How they mobilized energy and resources to address the challenge
Together with our partners and knowledge transfer partners we have Programmes that support smallholder farmers in developing countries to organise, improve the quality of their crops and add value to their products for both local and international markets.
SACOMA Global has strived to focus its energies on its best strengths, working closely with its customers and focusing on professional growth.
How they have kept the momentum going?
Today, SACOMA Global has established its niche in the global business market and won various awards and recognitions. SACOMA GLOBAL currently works with smallholder farmers and over 20 democratic farmer organizations, enterprises and cooperatives in 8 countries. They assist in capacity building, development of infrastructure, overcoming market barriers, how to adapt to the challenges of climate change and improve product quality, creating resilience and adding value to their business.
From humble beginnings, SACOMA Global has grown gradually and successfully and diversified to other ventures. In 2011, SACOMA embarked purely to SACOMA LLP a distribution network for fresh fruit & vegetable wholesale market based at the New Spinterfields Market in London who import fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world and have assisted small scale Kenyan farmers by linking them to markets for their produce in the UK.
Who else was involved in undertaking the initiative?
Dr. Ochieng would like to acknowledge his wife Perez Ochieng, the Director and CEO at SACOMA who was the Brainchild of the Sweet potatoes venture.
During one of their trips to Kenya, Perez noticed how the local sweet potato farmers at the village more especially women were being exploited. They had to sell their very fresh and quality sweet potato produce by the roadside every evening at throw away prices, something she wasn’t amused about. It is from this observation that the idea of venturing into Sweet Potatoes industry was born as a way of empowering these women.
SACOMA has put sweet potatoes from Africa on the International market by ensuring that farmers produce high quality sweet potatoes by providing them with necessary skills and facilities to make it work.
They in addition manage the export of these sweet potatoes promoting local farmers who make a living from this venture. These sweet potatoes then make delicacies to be enjoyed in the UK such as Sweet Potato Crisps, Bread, Snack Bar and Crème Brue.
How they addressed the hurdles put in their way
Being resilient, open minded and extremely patient has assisted Dr. Ochieng to continue to grow and learn how to maneuver successfully in the business world. “If it were not for this confidence I would be crippled by some of the obstacles I’ve had to overcome. My success is built on my passion and belief in myself and my business.’’ He says.
Dr. Ochieng also describes his versatile skill-set, a great deal of integrity and the willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy clients as some of the ways he has managed to counter any challenges faced. It starts with the belief that you will achieve your goals and desires for your organization.
How this initiative has influenced others beyond the immediate need:
There is no doubt that Dr. Ochieng has made a huge difference in many aspects in the leadership and entrepreneurship landscape through making significant and observable changes. He has overcome many barriers and touched and enriched the lives of many by serving as a role model and mentor. The scope of his achievements have extended far and beyond and influenced entrepreneurs at an international level leaving a lasting, sustainable legacy. Dr. Ochieng has also been involved in the mentorship of students in colleges and Universities for example at the University of Coventry.
Through his leadership and guidance, SACOMA GLOBAL LTD has also been at the forefront of rallying Kenyans in the UK to promote patriotism and celebrate national events such as Jamhuri Day. During the 2003 Jamhuri Day, we launched a funds appeal for a Kenyan girl living with cerebral palsy. The proceeds helped to purchase mobility equipment for the girl.
In addition, Dr. Ochieng is the Chairman for Newham African Sexual Health and HIV Forum with a membership of 62 African organizations.
Dr. Ochieng is the Chairman of the Newham Refugee and Migrants Forum – which is the largest refugee and migrants forum in the UK.
Sam also the chairman and co-founder of the African Nations Cup UK which is the largest football tournament by Africans and for Africans in the UK.
He has made a measurable impact as a passionate advocate for empowering the youth. Back home in Kenya, Dr. Ochieng hosts a football tournament dubbed the Sam Ochieng Football Tournament (SOFT) in his hometown, Kendu Bay whose aim is to raise awareness of sports and community entrepreneurship.
Dr. Sam Ochieng is truly an inspiration and motivation to many to become more involved in the community, reach out to those who are under privileged and in addition share their skills and expertise with those around them in order to make a positive change in their community and society at large.
His Royal Majesty Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja JP was honoured with Culture & Tourism for Sustainable Development Awards at EPRA 2018.
Posted by Mayor Olafancy on Tuesday, July 24, 2018
