From There to Here with TJ & IA by Peri Hayes
TJ Okagbare and IA grew up in Nigeria. Having lived in Preston, England for a number of years, the couple decided to move with their baby daughter to Canada this past summer. TJ has lived throughout the UK and Cyprus -- where he worked in media as a presenter and more, further developing his collaborative skills. The affable TJ expresses he and IA’s desire to live in a space which mirrors the small-town-feeling that they were leaving in England. A friend of TJ and IA’s had moved to St. Thomas several years ago, and spoke fondly of his experience. While the pair had been looking at residential opportunities closer to Toronto, TJ reveals why they instead turned toward the smaller city: “The population and the community here are more strongly aligned with what we were wanting.” AS TJ and IA continue to explore their new home and forge local connections, their sense of community already feels prominent. “The people are super nice,” IA voices. “That is it for me.” TJ highlights those who have gifted goods and materials to them, about which IA conveys, “People have gone above and beyond. I am so grateful.” To build their sense of community, the couple has been partaking in local events. IA shares that she attended the 2025 Oktoberfest, detailing, “I saw so many people there, and I heard Taylor Swift music. I am a fan, so this has been a good way to connect with others.” As well, their family visits to the Elevated Park are cherished. In the midst of this excitement, TJ and IA recognize hardship regarding the modern economy: “We have struggled upon our move, because we had structure in England.” For example, IA was a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant. Despite her qualifications, professional prerequisites vary from country to country. Therefore, the extensively skilled IA finds herself seeking employment for an entry-level role in the field which she is most passionate about. IA is pleased to announce that through networking, she has begun supporting her first client and is eagerly working toward her PSW Certificate.
Meanwhile, TJ begins his next chapter as a first-time business owner. As he, too, faced employment obstacles, TJ decided to utilize his technical skills in the community while growing his career. Seeking adrenaline and stimulation through his work, TJ is an IT and Wi-Fi Support Professional, such that two employees were required to replace his previous role in England. Having realized the market for this service, TJ proudly presents, “I recently installed a guest network for a Sparta-owned business. I also upgraded his PC Windows 8 to 10, and the RAM from 4GB to 8GB.” Avidly designing his business plan alongside professional advisors, TJ declares, “My goal is to create a rewarding customer service experience, offering freelance support for small businesses and individuals experiencing computer and Wi-Fi issues. We are taking the risk. It is important to try.” While reflecting on their local experience thus far, IA delightedly describes, “I believe that there’s a safety here which immigrants have. The people are so polite; I feel that Canada is my home. I feel at peace, I feel happy and I recommend St. Thomas as a place to live.”
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Page 4 Hometown St. Thomas • Jan-Feb 2026
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