Introducing our own ‘royal’ Charles here at the Corn Exchange
On the day of King Charles III’s Coronation, the world reflected on the path that led him to this historic moment, the team at the Corn Exchange in Manchester are reflecting on the path of how another ‘royal’ Charles came to be part of their team. Charles Okhivia is a man with an interesting background, although he now works at the Corn Exchange in Manchester, he originally hails from a small village called Ozalla in Nigeria.
Ozalla is a picturesque village in Edo State, Nigeria. Known for its natural beauty, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage the village is nestled in an area of nature surrounded by hills, valleys and dense forests and is a hidden gem. Edo State can be found in the heart of Nigeria’s southern region and at the helm of the Kingdom is the highly revered Oba of Benin who holds many cultural and social roles alongside being known for many philanthropic gestures.
Every village in Edo State also has its own traditional leader ruled by the Oba of Benin and Charles’ grandfather was once the leader of the village of Ozalla making Charles somewhat a prince by birthright. However, the path to leadership in Ozalla is different from that of the British monarchy where succession to the throne is determined at birth. The eldest person in Ozalla village becomes the next leader when the current one passes on, and if Charles Okhivia were to live long enough to become the eldest person in Ozalla, he too could one day hold this role.
But currently, Charles’ path has taken a different turn. He left his village and now lives in Manchester, where he works in a leadership role as a supervisor at Manchester’s Corn Exchange in the City Centre. Despite having to adjust to a new culture and way of life, Charles never forgot where he came from. He stays connected to his family and community in Nigeria and makes sure to share his experiences in the U.K. with them. He has traveled back to the village a few times to visit his relatives and to learn more about his heritage.
Today, Charles is a successful professional with a rich history and a strong sense of identity. He takes pride in his work at the Corn Exchange, but he also cherishes the memories and traditions of his family and community. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots.
His upbringing was vastly different from that of King Charles III, who was born into a life of service as the Prince of Wales but both men share a connection to royalty, and both have faced their own unique challenges in life.
Despite their different backgrounds, the two Charles’ share some commonalities. Both men have a strong sense of duty and responsibility, with King Charles III upholding the traditions and values of the British monarchy and our own Charles taking pride in his job and working hard to support his family. They also share a love for their communities, with King Charles III actively involved in various charities and philanthropic causes and the Corn Exchange’s Charles being actively involved in various activities at the Christ Salvation Ministry (Overcomers) in Manchester, including preaching at Sunday School, working with the elderly and marriage counseling. Charles is also actively involved in mentoring and guiding the youth as he understands the challenges that young people face in today’s world. He provides them with practical advice on behaviors and career choices and also encourages them to pursue their dreams and aspirations while remaining grounded in their faith and values which is similar to the fantastic work undertaken
by The Princes Trust Charity founded by, at the time, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in 1976.
Amy Gough, Soft Services Manager at the Corn Exchange says “As we celebrated the coronation of King Charles III, it’s important to remember that leadership comes in many forms. Charles Okhivia, our very own ‘royal’ Charles, is a testament to this. His unique background and perseverance serve as an inspiration to us all. We are proud to have him as part of our team at the Corn Exchange and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a leader in his own right.”
The team at the Corn Exchange wish King Charles III all the best in his reign, and we also recognise the potential for leadership in individuals like Charles Okhivia, who may one day rise to lead their communities in their own unique way.
The Corn Exchange is an iconic and historic building in the heart of the Manchester and with its grand architecture and array of culinary delights, it’s no surprise that this venue has become one of the most popular places to dine in the city. As the Coronation approaches, we can only imagine the opulent feasts and grand banquets that will take place in honour of this momentous occasion. And while we may not all have had a seat at the royal table, you can certainly indulge in the luxurious dining experiences that the Corn Exchange has to offer.
