When it is said that many extraordinary people were products of June, Eze Alex Sunday Mkpidike Nwoye is one of them. This man a symbol of resilience, determination, courage and success. He is like King Midas; whatever he touches his hand turns to gold. This is why The Qoheleth presents this king born in Agbako kindred of Awalasi Community Uga in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State in this edition.
Many great people pass through difficult lives and their ability to cut their teeth through them defines them in life. Eze Nwoye has a story to tell because he passed through the test of success. He started his primary education in 1964 at Mbala Oye primary school Uga. The advent of the civil war attempted to truncate his educational development but being a dogged, focused and determined young man, he persisted. His determination especially in education continued throughout his adult life even after success came through his way. This showed while still in the service of Amesi Commercial Enterprises Limited and Ace Industries limited in Lagos, as a director, Nwoye, resumed his educational pursuit where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, and a post graduate diploma in Industrial Management.
Few years after the war, Alex Nwoye left for Enugu to serve his In-law, Chief B. O. Umeozulu (Akunyienwata Egwu), who was the Chairman, Amesi Commercial Enterprises Limited. At the completion of his apprenticeship which spanned 6 years, he behaved so well and was very successful that his boss decided to enter into a joint venture arrangement with him. He was made partner in-charge of the Lagos new branch of the company. Again, his hard work and dedication to duty showed off as the company prospered under his administration. He served in that capacity for eleven years.
In 1991, Chief Nwoye resigned his position in the board of Amesi Commercial Enterprises Limited and established Aceland Industries Limited, a Paints and Allied Products manufacturing company. The company later diversified into other businesses with hima as the Chairman of the conglomerate. They include Rockland and Mecvilla Gardens that promoted tourism in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Ugaland Interbiz Limited, dealing in building materials (Ceramic Tiles), and manufacturing of table/bottle water and fruit drinks and Rock 90 Stores, a modern supermarket in Ailegun, Ejigbo, Lagos and Aceland Hotels and Suites.
His excellent business acumen has taken him to so many places and into membership of so many business associations such as Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Paints Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).
Eze ASM Nwoye is endowed with Mosaic kind of wisdom for leadership, hence his thriving social commitment cuts across various institutions and communities. He is a very open minded individual with no tribal sentiments. His promotion of human capital development is boundless as many Nigerians of different tribes have benefited from his success and acumen in different parts of the country. He is one man who is peaceful and always open to ideas and innovations. His American style of leadership is not only commendable but also legendary. Of course, the people of Ejigbo community where many of his businesses are sited are very appreciative of his efforts.
This was demonstrated when the custodian of Ejigbo tradition and King of the land, HRM Oba Morufu Adekunle Adisa Ojoola, the Ojon of Ejigbo and Ijan land, honoured him with a Chieftaincy title of Bobaselu 1 of Ejigbo in 2006. By virtue of this honour, he became a council member in Oba’s cabinet and through this was able to foster peaceful co-existence between the Igbos and the omoniles. He has been able to put the Igbos together in a single manageable group to nullify the sayings that “Igbo amaghi eze”.
In 2011, he formed the Igbo Council of Elders (ICE) to empower others to lead. This singular effort of his has earned him the foremost Onye Ndu and Eze Igbo of Ejigbo, Lagos. He has also encouraged the emergence of other Ezes to assist in uniting the Igbos in his community and beyond.
As a Patron, he contributed immensely to the upliftment of the Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC). He was the Treasurer of the Bobakeye Club of Ejigbo and Ijan Land and treasurer of Ailegun-East CDA as well as a member of Adejumo Tennis Club of Ilamoshe Ejigbo, Lagos.
He was honoured as a grand patron of the prestigious Nigerian Union of Journalism, (NUJ) Enugu State Chapter in 1993, and a Fellow of Institute of Journalism, Management and Continuing Education (FIJMCE) in 1995.
He is not just a good man abroad only. He has demonstrated that charity should actually begin at home. In his home town, Eze Nwoye is a title holder of Duru Ochiri Ozuo of Uga, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, an honour that shows how well he cares for humanity. He is a distinguished Industrialist Merit Award winner of Aguata Progressive Union (APU) Lagos Branch. His contributed meaningfully towards the development of his Town Union in Lagos (UGA IMPROVEMENT UNION) as well as his village meeting (AWALASI PROGRESSIVE UNION). He led to the establishment of his kindred meeting in Lagos (AGBAKO FAMILY MEETING).
Eze Alex Nwoye is a devout Catholic. This has manifested in his commitment spiritually and temporally. He is a foundation member and patron of the Catholic Men Organization of SS Peter & Paul Parish, Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos. He has been honoured by various societies and groups in the Catholic community and beyond. His contribution towards the development of his parish in Lagos and at home cannot be over emphasized.
Eze Alex Nwoye is married to Ugo Eze Jacinta Nwoye, a woman known for her sterling qualities within the church and secular communities. The couple has been blessed with very successful children doing various businesses all over the world.
The Qoheleth joins the whole world in celebrating this extraordinary king at 68. Many people have prayed that his goodness will outlive him and that God will grant him longer life filled with happiness, peace and good health.
