Every community is developed by its distinguished personalities. Many youths have been developing themselves in the areas of academics, entrepreneurship, information technology, sports and entertainment. Many of the youths in these areas have accumulated wealth in these areas and in turn used part of it for community development.
The Qoheleth in this edition presents young people from Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State who have distinguished themselves in the areas of academics, business, and politics. These people have in one way or the other transformed the community and in so doing set themselves as standards and role models for other to emulate. We refer to them as trailblazers in the community.
DR CHIMA MATTHEW AMADI (MAZI GBURUGBURU)
Dr. Matthew Chima Amadi popularly known as Mazi Gburugburu has broken the economic, academic, social and political ice within his immediate community and far beyond. He showed what it means to develop a vision, identify appropriate means of carrying such vision and the channels of meeting his desired goals. The extraordinary thing about this young man is that he springs pleasant surprises all the time to his people which have translated into dynamic changes.
Dr. Amadi is not only a role model for the youths in Umuekwune, but has also become a symbol of unity, progress, human and capacity development. He is like a dragnet that pulls a lot into itself. He is a household name in the community, state and country.
In recent times, Mazi Gburugburu has supported women groups in Imo State during their August meetings. He has continually promoted sports development in the community and empowered many youths in various areas. His vision is to transform Imo state through purposeful and effective political leadership. His vision has generated maximum support and acceptance.
Dr. Chima Amadi is a native of Umuehieze, one of the villages in Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State. He had his primary education at Dabo Primary School in Kano before proceeding to the Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State, where he completed his secondary education. He was admitted into the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition. After completing his undergraduate studies and still driven by the thirst to advance his knowledge and desire to make a difference, Dr Amadi obtained a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the same university.
Dr. Amadi’s academic pursuits took him to other prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He obtained Master’s degrees in Comparative Public Policy and Administration, Democracy and Comparative Politics, and Economics and Development Studies.
He is a distinguished scholar, researcher, and advocate for transparency and good governance. With a diverse academic background and wealth of professional experience, Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions in the fields of political science, economics, and development studies.
He is at the forefront of various developmental interventions in Umuekwune and beyond. He has been promoting sports in the community through football tournaments among the villages in Umuekwune. This year, he initiated the female football competition to encourage gender active participation in sports.
He has offered several scholarships to indigenes of the town, provided for many widows and the less privileged. During the last August meeting, he provided funds for the women to start developmental projects.
He assisted in the repairing of the town’s road and also set up micro industries that employed the indigenes.
His commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in governance has earned him recognition and accolades nationally and internationally.
He has shown interest in political governance in the state. The community and various groups have also shown interests in backing his vision. He is a foremost trail blazer.
DR NNAMDI THADDEUS OBIJURU
Education is one of the focal points in human development. It has brought development to the society. A community without educated people is usually referred to as the land of the blind. Educated people are models in the society. Many academics have also contributed to the development of the society. Dr Thaddeus Nnamdi Obijuru toed the line of education. The extraordinary thing about his is that he achieved the highest point of academics at a very young age.
He has shown that determination and hard work lead to success. He stood out among the trailblazers in Umuekwune because of his successful academic pursuit. He is therefore an insignia of academics in the community.
Obijuru Nnamdi Thaddeus is a Biochemist, who has been working as a part time lecturer at Federal Polytechnic Nekede since 2011. He was born in Ekwuoke Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State on the 22nd March, 1981 to Late Mr. Obijuru Linus Nneji and Late Mrs. Obijuru Bridget Adanma.
He started his basic education at Development Primary School Owerri, and later moved to Assumpta Minor Seminary and St Peter Claver Seminary Okpala where he wrote Senior School Certificate Examination in 1998.
He was admitted into Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. He further went to the Federal University of Technology Owerri where he had an M.SC and PhD in Pharmacological Biochemistry this year. He also has a PGD in Education from the same university. Nnamdi won the Federal Government Education Board Scholarship for PhD in 2019 and was the best graduating student of the PhD class of Biochemistry.
He is a lay reader in the Catholic Church, a member of Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria and Elele Block Rosary member. He is also a member of Assumpta Science Centre, Owerri and a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Dr Obijuru has also ventured into entrepreneurship. He established the NANO Farms which sells white albino rats and rabbits for medical research and NANO LAB for laboratory research.
He is married to Mrs. Obijuru Chinenyenwa Rita and the marriage is blessed with two boys.
SIR BEN DOZIE NKWOCHA
One of the young men who have passionately worked towards the development of Umuekwune is Sir Benjamin Nkwocha. He moved up to the ladder of stakeholders in the community through his contributions in various areas of development both at home and abroad. This is why he is respected so much in his town and beyond.
Sir Ben was at the forefront of those who promoted education in the town when so many youths were reluctant to take bold steps but could not due to financial handicap.
When Umuekwune Development Organization in Lagos went into comatose, Ben sustained the unity of the people through the youth wing of the organization for so many years. Umuekwune Youths Association became a uniting factor for the continual development of the town. Through his able leadership and through this association, conferences, seminars and other events had been held where the progress of Umuekwune were extensively discussed.
He spearheaded the rehabilitation of electricity in Umuekwune with the cooperation of the leaders in other states and those in diaspora.
Ben has assisted many Umuekwune youths who were experiencing financial challenges at one point or the other. Many have gotten employment through him. Ben Nkwocha has shown effective leadership both at his village level and the town level as well. This is why he is one of the trailblazers in Umuekwune.
Sir (Ezinwa) Ben Chidozie Nkwocha, KSC was born to the family of Late Sir and Lady Sylvanus Ekwurumadu Nkwocha (aka Okemmadu1) of Umuakali kindred, Umuokweke, Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo state. He had his primary education at Community School Umuekwune. He commenced his secondary school education at Naze Secondary School and later completed it at Comprehensive Secondary School Umuekwune. He got admission into the University of Ilorin where he studied Geography and Planning. He further obtained a Master of Science degree in Transportation Management Technology from Federal University of Technology Owerri in 1997. He lectured in the university for two years before proceeding to Lagos for greener pastures.
Sir Ben Nkwocha has garnered over 22 years working experience in the Maritime Industry. He is a Fellow of Academy of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, and an Associate Member Chattered Institute of Economics of Nigeria.
He was recently honoured in the Anglican Church by Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okereafor, the Anglican Bishop of Egbu Diocese as a knight of St. Christopher.
He is married to Lady Chinonye Nkwocha and blessed with four children.
DARLINGTON IFEANYICHUKWU OKEREAFORCHA
Success, they say is relative. This means that there is success in everything one does with hard work and visionary planning. Some people have succeeded through education. Some through business. Some through vocational skills they acquired. Some through science and technology. Some through sports, music and entertainment and some through religious activities. It is ordinary to be successful but extraordinary when the success impacts on the people in your immediate environment.
There is an Igbo proverb that states that “Aku ruo ulo, ya abara onye nile.” (When wealth is established at home, it will reach all). Another Igbo proverb states that “Aku zuo oha, uro alaa.” (When wealth is evenly distributed, there will no longer be envy).
Darlington Ifeanyi Okereaforcha is one of the models of successful entrepreneurship. Umuekwune people right from time venture into education and subsequently end up as civil servants. Skill acquisition and business mentorship was looked down on. As a result of this, much wealth, which would have come from this sector was neglected. This young man is one of those who rekindled that sector. He has taken the path of business and entrepreneurship to the next level.
He ventured into building and construction and subsequently into freight and logistics. His organization; Swissdarl Freight & Logistics is one of the fastest growing organizations in Nigeria. The multi million company has created jobs for hundreds of Nigerians.
Darlington is expanding into the areas of property, manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas. He has also mentored his fellow youths on how to be resourceful and how to build sustainable careers. He is a trailblazer in his community.
Darlington Ifeanyichukwu Okereaforcha is an indigene of Ekwuoke Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State.
At a tender age, he had already started thinking on developing appropriate skills that will lead him to success without soiling his hands. Coming from a humble background laced with polygamy, he knew that the best may not be achieved through higher academic pursuit. As soon as he finished his secondary education, he decided to acquire skills in building, specializing in tiling. Not tutored by any master or professional, Darlington learnt the art by watching people do such and within few years acquired notable experience that waded him into the hands of many builders and construction engineers. Within this period, he progressed so fast from his excellent services and decided to expand his business to freight and logistics.
Within five years of its existence, the organization can compete favourably with the top local and international freight and logistics companies operating in the country. Swissdarl Freight and Logistics with headquarters at Swissdarl Towers, located at the highbrow Western Avenue in Surulere, Lagos with branches all over the country is set to meet supply chain management and business support services to her clients at all times by satisfying their challenging needs and constantly improving on the quality of service.
ENGR. (AMB.) MARTINS IWUNNA
It is said that when a child washes his hands clean, he will dine with kings. There are many forms of human development. Those who develop themselves. Those who were assisted in the process of development through mentorship and those who grew through the ranks. Those who pass through the ranks gather a lot of experiences because they encounter a lot of people on the way of progress. Their success may be deferred but it is usually sustained.
Martins Iwunna is a young man who grew through the ranks. He has a vision and has been working assiduously towards the full realization of that vision. There are many of such people in his community. That is why he is an insignia of that level of success.
The young man’s input towards the development of Umuekwune is limitless. These could be seen in the areas of leadership, philanthropy, community service and total commitment to a common goal.
Some people may be rich but will not contribute to the welfare of their people. Some are not rich but contribute meaningfully to the development of their people. Martins uses all he has to ensure the development of his community. He does not go hiding when his services are required. He has contributed towards the infrastructural development of his community in the areas of electricity, road rehabilitation and security. He is a trailblazer whose passion for his people knows no bounds.
Ambassador (Engr.) Martins Iwunna is from Umuogi, Umuekwune. He is an accomplished businessman and a philanthropist. He started his primary education at Central School Umuekwune and later attended Comprehensive Secondary School Umuekwune where he sat for his Senior School Certificate Examination in 1995. He then proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu where he was obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Civil Engineering.
As a young man whose ambition was to be useful to the society and his town, Martins traveled to Lagos for greener pastures. At this point, he further equipped himself with skills in computer programming from Amazing Grace Computers Fadeyi, Lagos. He worked in many establishments among which are, Johnnyway Hotels, Shomolu, Papas Corner Night Club, Okota, Mariot Hotel, Ajao Estate, Diamond Bank and Darlstone Global Resources all in Lagos.
He was inspired to become an entrepreneur while working at Darlstone Global Resources. He kindled the passion leading to the establishment of his own construction company known today as Fusmart Global Nigeria Ltd., a fast-growing construction company with branches in Lagos and in Lusada, Ogun State. This company has offered employment to many people.
Martins strongly believes that wealth comes from God. He therefore dedicates his time in serving God. He has served as the General Secretary of Catholic Men Organization, St. Pio Catholic Church, Dopemu, Lagos. He is currently the Chairman of the building committee of the same church. He has received many accolades for his selfless service to God and humanity. Among which are, Royal Ambassador of Catholic Men Organization (CMO), Good Ambassador of Holy Family Society, True Ambassador of Christ and His Church, and Nwannedinamba of Coker Estate Shasha, Lagos.
Ambassador Martins Iwunna has also served his people in Lagos as General Secretary, Umuekwune Youths Association, Assistant General Secretary Okpala Umuekwune Development Organization, and member, Umuekwune Youths Organization Constitution Review Committee. Umuekwune community in Lagos holds him in high esteem.
He is married to Mrs. Ugochi Augusta Martins. And the marriage is blessed with three children.
CHIEF (ENGR) CHIMEREZE GEORGE NWALOZIE
It is said that a good day starts with a bright sun. Names also have certain influence on someone’s destiny. Chief Chimereze Nwalozie is destined to be wealthy and successful. His name signifies that. The success of this young man came when the ebb was going so low in his community. There came certain superstition from some quarters that the destiny of the people is withheld by some strong forces that hindered the success and development of the village. Chief Akunwata broke that jinx.
He paved a way and broke the barrier that hindered his people’s progress. With this, he became a role model for the youths in his community. Hear him; “I like putting smiles on the face of people. I also like to create opportunities for other people to grow and develop themselves in life. I don’t like to see people suffer. I do it not for anything but for the sake of God and humanity. We need to put hands together to make our place grow.”
Chief, (Engr.) Chimeremeze George Nwalozie is an indigene of Ekwuoke Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State. He is the 5th child of Chief and Lolo Bernard Nwalozie (Benco). He had his primary education at Eziama High School in Aba, Abia State and later was admitted into the Federal University of Technology Owerri where he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer.
He passed through the challenges associated with growing up but jumped over all the hurdle.
After his education, he did not wait to start looking for employment but rather set up a micro enterprise which metamorphosed into bigger business. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Unique Chigeorge and Unique Chilozzy Global Ventures. These companies specialize in importation of fabrics from South Korea and other Asian countries. He is also into general contracting.
Chief Nwalozie has built internal road in his community, and also empowered a lot of women and youths. He has contributed towards the development of his community through community services and human capacity development.
His philanthropy extends beyond his community to other places in Imo State and Abia State. He was honoured with the Chieftaincy title of Akunwata 1 of Umuekwune. He is a business mentor to many youths. He is a trailblazer.
