PERSONALITY INTERVIEW: EZE-EKUNIE 1 OF NANKA: EVERYWHERE I GO I THINK ABOUT…NANKA BY O’STAR EZE

CEO of a multi-billion naira importation business and production firm, MIGU Resources and FUEGO industrial Company Limited, High Chief GODWIN EZE-EKUNIE EZEADISIONU, EZE-EKUNIE 1 OF NANKA’s success story has more intrigues than a fiction story. He co-owns some businesses with the Chinese and he says,‘ My Italian is better than my English’, and the challenging and deeply inspiring natural born leader who stands head and shoulders above his contemporaries literally and in all ramifications, takes out time to pour out his heart for humanity, his community Nanka in particular. Let us listen to this happily married business guru and father of five who read Accountancy in Italy and Italian, as he educates us on how to be successful as a Nigerian male. Notice his deep love for his community and desire to contribute positively and outstandingly. Draw the lessons and inspiration you should.

Excerpt from the exclusive interview:

                                                                                               

May we know your name and a little bit about your background?

I am Chief GODWIN EZEKUNIE EZEADISIONU, EZEKUNIE 1 OF NANKA. I’m from Ifite, Nanka, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am an importer and an industrialist. I bring in all kinds of building materials. We franchise; we build our own to make sure that the quality is superb. I partner with the Chinese. Before, I was doing it on my own, but I have now partnered with the Chinese. We have our own brand name in building materials. We also produce our own toilet rolls. Our company names are Migu Resources Nigeria Limited and FUEGO industrial Company Limited located in Lagos, No. 8, Alhaji Owokoni Street, ORILE.

How long have you been in this business?

I’ve been in this importation business for about 25 years.

How old are you now, sir?

I am 48 years old, going on 49.

How did it all start?

I started from my hometown. I was among the young men that pushed trucks. I did so many things like ‘uda’, in order to make ends meet, menial jobs like mason work. Because I came from a very humble family background, we didn’t have much money at the beginning, but by God’s grace, we picked up from there. Even as at that time I was doing truck business, I had up to 15 to 20 trucks which I gave to young men to push for me and make returns. Then, I was also into livestock rearing. I had a very big poultry farm. This was while I was in primary school. In my secondary school, I also engaged in some businesses. I had an excellent result in my final exams, making 4 Alphas and 4 credits. I made A1 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Economics, but I could not continue due to financial reasons. But after much years in business and because I had this big passion for education, I went ahead to study for Diploma in Italy.

In business, I started with Migu Water Pumps, Migu doors and Migu Capacitors before going into Fuego doors, Fuego tiles, Fuego WCs and close couples, Fuego wardrobes and Fuego cooking pots, every kind of building material.

What are the names of your schools you attended for primary education to your university?

My primary education was at Central school, Ifite, Nanka. My secondary school was Nanka Boys Secondary School. I studied Accountancy (Ragionierea) at the Institute  De Grimaldi in Calabria, Italy.

In what language did you study your course in Italy?

I studied it in Italian language. My Italian is better than my English. I first had preliminary instructions in Italian Language at Institutions Technico De Gremaldi, Calabria, South Italy. It was after my Diploma Program that I left for Holland in 2004. Today, by His Grace, I’m a polyglot, able to communicate fluently in French, Italian, Igbo, Hausa and English.

You seem to be widely travelled. Can you tell us about how you started travelling and picking languages?

We started after I left secondary school. We did some menial things again and some small time businesses. We went to Niger Republic and there, we had so many contacts with international people. Then I met L.A Chinedu, my godfather and the former second to the ambassador of Nigeria to Belgium, who prepared my first Visa to Belgium and from there, other things became easy.

While you were travelling, you were amassing a lot of wealth. What was your secret, because there are many who travelled like you and yet do not have much to show for it?

I must be honest with you, maybe, because of my background. From when I was a little boy, I started giving my mother any little I got to save for me. I had inculcated that saving attitude from ab initio. Not exhausting whatever I earn is my secret. I believe that wealth is not how much you make but how much you save. How much you are able to make the money make more money for you is what counts as wealth. That is the major thing about wealth.

I understand that your community has, in several ways, recognized your accomplishments. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, because right from the time I started getting small money, I started contributing to the community. My age grade had not actually been assimilated into the adult class of the society and I was already making donations and taking titles. My age grade was inducted just three years ago and I have already started taking up adulthood positions in my community.

Can you share some of the ways the society has shown appreciation for your contributions?

Honestly, I must tell you they have appreciated it so highly.

So, has there been any award?

Yes, I have so many of them.

Can you mention some of them?

The most notable was the business men’s award by News Agency of Nigeria as the Best Business Man of the year for 2008 and also 2012/13.

Can you tell us about some of your outstanding contributions to your society and how your society has shown appreciation?

To be honest with you, some of these things are not meant to be told. Most of the things you do for your community or your church are not meant to be recounted. I’m not the one to recount them.

Apart from my own town giving me the title ‘Eze-ekunie 1 of Nanka, my church also gave me the title ‘Ide St James church (the pillar of St James’ church, Nanka). So, I’ve gotten recognition from the church and from my people and everything is in black and white out there. Just like recently, my kindred, Ifite, made me the second chairman of that day and in the course of the event, I was among the three who donated above 1 million naira and I was given the title – High Chief. This is something so many people have been trying to buy with billions but I don’t know why they counted our little contribution as worthy of such recognition. I was also made the Chairman of the Peace-keeping committee in my town, Nanka.

Do you have any visions for your community? Are there any dreams you nurse for your community?

My ambition is so great for my community. From my tender years, I started dreaming I’ll one day be in a position to change things for the better for my community. As I grew and travelled, I developed the burden to build my community to European standard. You know the way they built and run their place. Because anywhere I go, I think about my community Nanka. I have the intentions of doing as much as possible.

For instance, I am the chairman of Victory Estate, Lagos. Victory estate used to have some estates that disintegrated from them. But, when I started my administration, I had to make peace for them and they have now joined together now that I am the chairman. Under one year of my administration, we have put up military personnel guarding the estate. We built the roads, security posts. We put street lights and we have made drainage systems recently to rebuild the roads in another greater way. We put up electricity for them. And this year, we got them their Certificate of Ownership. So, at least we have achieved something that was way beyond what have been done for the past 20 years put together. Not I alone anyway; with my team. May I use this opportunity to recognize some members of my leadership team who synergized with me to achieve these feats; men whose efforts can never be taken for granted: Chief Linus Onyebuchi, Chief Christopher Nwaobi Prince Ikenna, Ugo my PRO and our Financial Secretary, to mention but a few.

So, what you are saying here is that if you are given the same opportunity in any other capacity, you will achieve the same feat?

No, I’m praying not even if I’m given…, I’m praying always to have the opportunity of developing my community. And God is helping me out. Because as long as God is helping me with the money, I even build boys that will form pillars of the community. That is Human Resource Management.

So, sir, does that mean you are a philanthropist?

That’s part of my life. That is why they know me. Like now, they have this Peace-Keeping committee they set up in my village. Amidst all the old men who made up the committee, I was made the chairman. At the end of our duty, they exclaimed they never knew we had that kind of quality to deliver. It is not age; anyway, it is a question of bestowment from God. That is what I believe.

Finally, sir, what would you say is your message for young Nigerians struggling through the maze of impoverishment seeking to attain your elevated place of achievement and financial freedom?

Yes, the major thing about success is

1.    Being focused: it will help you a lot. Because when you are focused, you know where you are going to. Then another one as important as focus is

2.    Using whatever you have; not waiting for the ideal tool to come before you start. Use whatever tool you have to start. Along the way, you will get a better tool. Because in our place, people are used to relying on the government. It is not the government that will do for you. Whatever you have, you start with it. In time and along the way, you will meet people who will help you. They say manna no longer falls from heaven but I tell you, it does. You might somehow get help from God or from an individual. But if you don’t start something, you won’t get anything. So, the major things to wealth are focus and starting with whatever you have. That is it.

That is beautiful, sir. So, you said something about human resource management and development. Can you tell us more about how you are into it?

Like most of the times, wherever I do business, I try as much as possible to pick people not doing anything in the village and help them the much I can. Some of them will fall out. Some of them will steal from you; wrong you in so many ways. But most of the times, I must be honest with you, I have been fortunate. Some of the bad ones do turn around to be good. And when they turn to be good, they start doing good business. That means you are helping them build their future. So, some of them that fall out do come back some day and start begging to be forgiven and accepted back; if you can take them back, good, if you can’t, still good. But we keep on trying all the time to rehabilitate them.

Can you give an estimate of the number of young men you have changed for the better?

My brother, I cannot. If you had been around during my just concluded late elder brother’s funeral ceremony, you would have seen about 50 boys both from home and abroad, some who sent their brothers, coming just to say thank you for the way I helped them find their track economically. So, I cannot start counting. There are things you don’t say. It was just because you were asking me. I don’t the tendency to discuss such issues. It is not necessary to start saying I helped somebody.

There are so many like you who don’t think in the direction of philanthropy. Why do you?

My brother, that is the only thing that makes me happy; seeing another person laugh. Sometimes, I cry when I make people really laugh. I’ve seen where after rendering help to somebody, he knelt down crying. That moved me. I watch people when they come in a sad way, before they are going, they start praising God. It gives me joy. That is it.

That’s beautiful, sir. What is your final message to people of your status out there; those who have not seen philanthropy as their responsibility from God.

I must tell you the truth, most of the people who don’t do much might have been disappointed in the past. But I have to tell them, if you can open your heart again and keep trying; nothing will give you more joy or more happiness – unending happiness than helping others. No matter how much disappointment you get from people, keep doing good, keep doing good and keep doing good. That is the only answer to being happy.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAY 1ST

According to Wikipedia, May Day on May 1 is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the celebrations that the day includes.
In the late 19th Century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers’ Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago. In those countries that celebrate International Workers’ Day, the day may also be referred to as “May Day” but it is a different celebration from the traditional May Day.
The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times, with the Floralia, festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, held April 27 during the Roman Republicera, and with the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries. It is also associated with the Gaelic Beltane, most commonly held on April 30. The day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While February 1 was the first day of Spring, May 1 was the first day of summer; hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was Midsummer.[citation needed]
As Europe became Christianised, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and May Day changed into a popular secular celebration. A significant celebration of May Day occurs in Germany where it is one of several days on which St. Walburga, credited with bringing Christianity to Germany, is celebrated. The secular versions of May Day, observed in Europe and America, may be best known for their traditions of dancing around the maypole and crowning the Queen of May. Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of “May baskets,” small baskets of sweets or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbors’ doorsteps.
Since the 18th Century, many Roman Catholics have observed May — and May Day — with various May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary[3] In works of art, school skits, and so forth, Mary’s head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning. May 1 is also one of two feast days of the Catholic patron saint of workers St Joseph the Worker, a carpenter, husband to Mother Mary, and surrogate father of Jesus.[4] Replacing another feast to St. Joseph, this date was chosen by the Pope Pius XII in 1955 to create as a counterpoint to the Communist International Workers Day celebrations on May Day.
Beginning in the late 20th century, many neopagans began reconstructing traditions and celebrating May Day as a pagan religious festival.
In Nigeria, May Day or “Workers” is a national holiday in celebrating the selfless efforts of the organised labour. “Match Past”, dances and exhibitions are part of the activities of the day.

NDI ANAMBRA FAULTS OBIANO's VISIT TO BUHARI. ....URGES HIM TO STOP BEGGING AND FOCUS ON DELIVERING GOOD GOVERNANCE TO THE PEOPLE By Chigozie Philip and O’star Eze

The people of Anambra state have described Governor Obiano visit to the president-elect, General Mohammed Buhari (rtd) as a sign of weakness of character and display of political immaturity.

www.theagenews.blogspot.com and www.ostareze.blogspot.com sampled the opinions of stakeholders in Anambra including members of Anambra forum. Chief Ikechukwu N. Agwu, a member of Anambra Forum expressed displeasure at the manner at which the governor, Dr Willie Obiano and APGA hurriedly pitched tent with General Buhari after they heavily campaigned against him and his party APC in Anambra State.

"Governor Obiano and his APGA brigade supported Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 100% and, actually his party, adopted Goodluck Jonathan as their presidential candidate." He recalled

"Their presidential candidate lost the election and they should try and understand this very obvious fact" Agwu advised.

Chief Agwu further stated that it was a sheer show of political weakness and instability to support and campaign against an opponent and still go lobbying for favours and appointment even before the opponent has taken up reins of administration.

He urged the governor and APGA to accept their fate as an opposition party and work with that so as to strengthen the nation’s democracy.

Chief Ikechukwu advised governor Obiano and the BOT chairman of APGA
to borrow a leaf from APC and constitute a strong opposition thereby strengthening the nation’s democratic terrain/process.

Other members of Anambra forum who aired their views through the forum stated in strong terms their disappointment at the action of the governor.

Also speaking in the same vein, the vice chairman of Igbos in Niger Republic, High Chief Paul Ezekafor said he anticipated what he referred to as the unbecoming act of one who he said should be a role model for other Igbos.

He said he always knew that Igbos don’t make very strong oppositions as they are opportunists and that is why they have not been able to form a formidable force as a people in the Nigerian political arena.

 Chief Paul admonished the APGA leadership to read the handwriting on the wall and understand that every step towards conceding to APC will only spell their quick demise from the Nigerian political playground. He therefore called on the governor to make a private apology to the APGA membership and re-strategize.

FG Asks Supreme Court to Nullify Amendments to Constitution by Tobi Soniyi

In a move aimed at thwarting moves by the National Assembly to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto of the Fourth amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the federal government has dragged the legislature to the Supreme Court asking the court to declare the amendments to the constitution as unconstitutional.

In the suit, the federal government is claiming that the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths of majority of members of the defendant and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, was not followed.

In an originating summons filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice by Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), the federal government is asking the Supreme Court to make an order nullifying and setting aside Sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 passed by the defendant.

The federal government is also asking the court to determine two issues: Whether the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, by the defendant through Sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act, 2015, which purportedly altered Sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 of the Constitution without compliance with the requirements of section 9(3) of the Constitution is not unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null and void?

Whether in the absence of compliance by the defendant with the mandatory requirement of Section 9(3) of the Constitution in the passage of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, the defendant can competently exercise its powers under Section 58(5) of the Constitution to enable the purported Act to become law?

The government consequently asked the court to hold that the proposed amendments to the Constitution through Sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, which purportedly altered Sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 of the Constitution and passed by the defendant without complying with the mandatory requirement of Sections 9(3) and (4) of the said Constitution, stipulating passage by at least four-fifths majority of all members of each House specified in Sections 48 and 49 of the Constitution is unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

It also asked the court to declare that in the absence of compliance by the defendant with the mandatory requirements of Section 9(3) of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, which purportedly altered Sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 of the Constitution, it is unconstitutional for the defendant to exercise its powers under Section 58(5) of the Constitution to enable the purported Act to become law.

The originating summons was supported by an affidavit deposed to by one of the lawyers in Ojo’s chambers, Mr Theophilus Okwute, who claimed the AGF, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) told him that the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 was not passed with the mandatory requirement of four-fifths majority of members of the defendant and the mandatory due processes provided for under the relevant sections of the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

He further deposed as follows: That the defendant is making moves, with the tacit consent of all the State Houses of Assembly to employ certain provisions of the Constitution to now pass the purported Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 into Law.
•That the said purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 contains many proposed amendments inconsistent with the spirit of federalism, separation of powers and checks and balances, all of which constitute the hallmark of the Constitution and democracy. 

•That most of the provisions of the purported Fourth Alteration Act 2015 are contrary to public policy and good governance.

•That it will be in the interest of justice to grant all the reliefs sought in this suit.

They’ve been lying to you in the name of God (2)

Yes, I’m talking to you who have found solace with a half educated or outright stark illiterate of very dirty habits; you who listen to wonderful tales of the gods and spirits as the cause and effect of occurrences and not natural laws at play that remain immutable; you who think that you are justified by your attendance to places where noisy praises are given to some self indulgent sadistic God or you will absolved  of all your atrocities against life and granted favour courtesy of this bigot God.

Well, check this out. I’ve got news for you. First, I need you to ask yourself this question;

If one can actually make God cause an unnatural occurrence, why hasn’t he been able to achieve certain things without going through certain rigors. Why are there no demonstrations of making a tree grow and germinate in one day? Why is it that every miracle is around a rational man with manipulation prone mind who can be induced by the pastor or prophet or what have you to start exhibiting certain symptom and signs, some so bizarre you would wonder how sadistic certain folks can be.

What is my point? It is high time we understood that every time we are bowed in prayer, besides that calming effect and an inspired frame of mind it might give you depending on the nature, every other manifestation is either a result of application of mantra to set off a particular vibration that materializes the thought if the law of action is also applied, which in this case is strictly scientific and actually doesn’t need your ‘in jesus name or whomever’s name or all that ‘amansi’. Lol

Digest this until I hit you another stark reality bolt.

Magi O’star Eze

3 Major Nigerian Problems Buhari Should Tackle - Dangote

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has listed three major challenges facing Nigeria’s economy that the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari needs to tackle.
According to Dangote, Buhari needs to make unemployment, increased power generation and corruption his top priorities after his swearing-in on May 29.
Speaking in an interview with This Day, Dangote pointed out that the business community in the country is set to back Buhari’s administration.
He explained that with President Goodluck Jonathan conceding defeat, the confidence of investors all over the world has been boosted, adding that the business community would wax stronger if the president-elect tackles some urgent needs of the economy.
Speaking on unemployment, Dangote said: “It is a great and pervasive problem in Nigeria. But the point must be made that it is not peculiarly a Nigerian problem. All over the world, there are growing issues of unemployment. And what we are saying is that the in-coming government can achieve a remarkable success in this regard if it declares an emergency on unemployment and tackle it decisively. You know the organised private sector will or should play a key role in this. And that is why we are concerned.”
He further lamented the extent of damage corruption has done to Nigerian economy, describing it as a “big cankerworm that has really eaten deep into the fabric of our nation.”
“The malaise of corruption is a threat to the survival of the Nigeria economy, no doubt. We must all therefore rise in unison to tackle the menace both in the public and private sector of the economy. The Buhari-led government can show a lot of strength on this issue by showing direction, by demonstrating commitment to ridding every sector of the economy of this malaise.

“I can tell you that a lot will change in Nigeria if this issue is tackled decisively,” Dangote said.
The businessman called on Buhari’s administration to revisit the ongoing privatisation programme in the energy sector with a view to growing the energy capacity of the country.
According to him, if there is increased electricity output, there would be industrial growth and even the small and medium scale businesses which are dying because of insufficient energy supply, would begin to experience boom again.
Dangote is a Nigerian billionaire businessman^, who owns the Dangote Group, which has interests in commodities. The company operates in Nigeria and other African countries, including Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Togo and Zambia.
Dangote is rated by Forbes Magazine as the 67th richest man in the world and the richest in Africa, with a net worth of $14.7Billion.
His major businesses span cement production, sugar production as well as several other business concerns.
He recently got into the oil and gas sector with a plan to build a refinery with the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day, thus making it the single largest stream in the world.Describing the present situation where Nigeria produces crude but goes abroad to buy refined products as unacceptable, Dangote had explained that his refinery was ready to reverse the trend just as it has successfully done in other sectors like sugar and cement. (culled from naij.com)

Bishop Ezeokafor, Ngige, Ekwunife, Ikedife, Uzodike MASSOB Mourn Chukwumerije BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA

Prominent people of Anambra on Tuesday joined other Nigerians to eulogise the Senator representing Abia North District, Uche Chukwumerije, who died on Sunday, April 19 2015, at the age of 75 .

In his reaction, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor expressed deep shock  over the death of Sen. Chukwumerije who he described as frontline politician and astute administrator noting that he (Chukwumerije) would be remembered for his immense contribution to nation building. 

He prayed God to grant the family and the entire people of Abia North Senatorial district, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

In her remark, Rep. Uche Ekwunife, the Senator-elect for Anambra Central district, described the demise as “A colossal loss to the Igbo people and Nigeria at large."

'Chukwumerije was one of the strong and audible voices at the red chambers of National Assembly.

'We shall miss his courageous representation,” Ekwunife said while enjoining his children to emulate their father and keep his legacies.

Former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife described him as “ A true Nigerian, and a true Igbo man."

'Chukwumerije’s death was the death of an honest, upright, courageous and dogged fighter.

'Not many people are like him,' Ikedife said.

Also, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) said that the death of Chukwumerije had created a vacuum in political leadership of Igbo in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by MASSOB National Director of Information, Mr Uchenna Madu, the group described late Chukwumerije as “a dynamic and astute supporter, projector and defender of Igbo cause.”

'He always stood for justice and equity on the Igbo side as showcased on his constant efforts and pressure mounted on the Federal Government for the release of MASSOB members.

'Dike Ogu Ndigbo still commands our respect and honour, MASSOB will continue to mourn him and will also participate in his burial as a Biafran hero,” the group noted.

In his reaction, Sen. Chris Ngige said that the Senate will lose his incisive and erudite contributions to debate on motions and bills in the chambers.

'Ndigbo have lost one of her best who believed that the spirit of industry, hard work, resilience and adroitness of the Igbos could be put into good use for their survival.

'He was a very industrious, energetic patriot whose ultimate goal had always remained how to ameliorate the living condition of citizens,' Ngige said.

Also commenting, a former Commissioner for Information and Culture in the state, Chief Joemartin Uzodike said that the senator’s death was unfortunate.

Uzodike described the late senator as a straight forward person who stood between the old and the new in the society.

'He was a bridge-builder between the government and the people.

'Indeed, it is a sad moment for the Igbos. He was a straight forward politician who had always fought for the benefit of the masses,' Uzodike noted.