Godwin Chukwunenye
Ezeemo a native of Umuchu and born at Umuchu, Aguata Local Government
Area on the 20th day of June, 1954, to the family of Nze
Umeaku Godwin Ezeemo and Lolo Ahusie Charity Ezeemo of Umunwanyiekwosi Duru
kindred of Umuojogwo, Amanasaa, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area in
Anambra State of Nigeria(1). He was named after his father.
Also known by the title name of Achinagbaraoha N’ Anambra, (loosely
translated as Largesse for the entire Anambra people).
As a child, life for
Godwin was a struggle, caused by the early loss of his dear father, the little
Godwin had to start early in life to struggle to survive, as his mother
cannot considered well to do by any standard. Because of this challenge, everything
that came his way, was by dint of hard work and the benevolence of God.
His early school
days was at the missionary owned Primary school in the village, called
St. Thomas Anglican Primary School, Umuchu, a distance of about 3 km from his
home. He had to trek this distance, 5 days a week to acquire basic primary
education from missionaries who taught pupils from Umuchu and other
neighbouring towns. At this school, he was able to sit for the First
School leaving Certificate Examination, a compulsory examination for all
Primary school pupils in Nigeria.
His secondary school
education was at St Peter’s Secondary School, Achina, a neighbouring town to
Umuchu and a distance of about 15 km from his home. This school was also a
missionary school, with no boarding facilities. Again, he had to trek the 15 km
daily to acquire secondary school education.
After this period, he
relocated to Southwest Nigeria where he attended the Federal Polytechnic
Ilaro, Ogun state. At this higher institution, he studied marketing and
graduated with HND in Marketing. At Ilaro, Polytechnic, he held several
positions, which included Financial secretary of the students’ union and
Secretary, Igbo students Association.
Nature had forced Godwin
early life to learn how to fend for himself and his siblings, hence, his
devotion to duty, hard work and probity is easily manifested in every venture
he engages in. He is married to Mrs. Winifred Nneka Ezeemo and the marriage is
blessed with 3 children.
Charity Ezeemo Trust for
the less Privileged
Godwin Ezeemo wanting to
give back to the community and the less privileged in the society established
the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the less Privileged in the memory of his
late mother, Charity Ahusie Ezeemo.(2) The foundation effectively
took off in 2006, since then, it has been giving scholarships to indigent
students yearly at the rate of N50,000 each. This brings the amount
given to 20 students on yearly scholarships at over N1m. It also
engages in other activities such as Business centres and Cyber cafes that
provide secretarial and stenographical services to the public and the same
time provide an avenue through which the less-privileged in the society
could be involved in skills acquisition.(3)
This Trust has over the
years has financed the medical treatment of Nigerian children abroad;
such treatments include heart and other complicated surgeries in India.
It also pays monthly allowances to widows and orphans. It is worthy of
note that yearly, the foundation organizes a football completion for children
aged below 12 where future football stars are discovered. The football
competition by the Trust covers three local government areas viz:
Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.(3)
In the preceding year
(2012), the following homes and orphanages has benefited from the largesse of
the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the Less Privileged: Special Education Centre for
the Mentally Ill, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State;
Basden Memorial Special Education Centre for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, Isulo,
Orumba South Local Government Area. Others are Tender Love Home, Awka; Mother
of Christ Compassionate Home for the Needy and Abandoned; and Lucy
O’Charity Orphanage at Ihiala. Each of the homes received a donation of N50,000,
over 10 bags of rice, cartons of Indomie, toilet tissues, cartons of biscuits,
rolls of toilet soaps, among others.(3)
The Charity Ezeemo Trust
for the Less Privileged recently established a Football Academy, which
was flagged off at the grand finale of old Aguata Union Cup of Unity
Football Competition for Primary and Post Primary schools in Aguata, Orumba
North and Orumba South local government areas held at Ekwulobia township
stadium. The flag-off competition produced a total of 64 talents which would
be sponsored by the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the less-privileged.(4)
Apart from giving assistance to the orphanages, Ezeemo Trust Fund had series of
programmes in education, offers scholarships to over 120 students some of whom
he said had graduated.(3)
The foundation has also
touched the lives of victims of Boko haram caused religious strife in Nigeria.
Mr. Ezeemo had visited families of victims of Mubi massacre where he donated
money and other precious items to douse the tension in the families and help
children whose parents were killed by members of Boko Haram in the Northern
Nigeria to go back to school.(5) The Charity Ezeemo Trust for
the Less Privileged has also touched the lives of victims of the 2012 flood
disaster in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria.(4) Mr. Ezeemo visited the
flooded communities and donated bags of rice, other food items and huge sums of
money to inhabitants through their traditional rulers and Presidents-General.
He expressed shock at the level of havoc caused by the flood and prayed that
God would give the victims back all they had lost. In his speech, Ezeemo, who
gave the families N150, 000 as his initial support, promised to evolve
other ways to assist families of the bereaved. Describing their death as tragic
and regrettable, he urged the families of the victims to take solace in God as
nothing happens without God’s knowledge.(6)
Last year, his media
company organised a seven-day value reorientation conference in Awka, with the
theme “Rediscovering Lost Igbo Values”. The event saw the best Igbo brains in
the academia, politics, and other professions gather together to brainstorm on
the way forward for Igboland. This event attracted the likes of Dr. Alex
Ekwueme (former Vice President of Nigeria); Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (former Governor
of Anambra State); and many other pan Igbo leaders. Before he sponsored
the said seminar, Mr Ezeemo became the greatest benefactor of Anambra State
Council of the NUJ when he single-handedly funded the construction of the new
multi-million Naira NUJ Press Centre, Awka at the cost of over N50m.(7)(3)
The Press Centre is called Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre,
Awka, Anambra State.
Other edifices that are
courtesy of Godwin Ezeemo include the Divisional Police Station, Umuchu; St
Peters Anglican Church Umuojogwo Community; Chapel of St Anthony’s Catholic
Church, Nawfia; Umuchu General Hospital and so many others.
Awards
Ezeemo was awarded the
2011 Entrepreneur Man of the Year by the Anambra State Chapter of Nigeria Union
of Journalists (NUJ). In recognition of his entrepreneurial efforts in
Anambra State. In his acceptance speech, Ezeemo appealed to other well-meaning
Nigerians to be involved investing in Anambra state, to help solve the problems
associated with youth unemployment.(3)
Godwin Ezeemo was in
October 2012, conferred with the award of Man of the Year by the Anambra State
Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). According to the State NUJ
Chairperson, Mrs Tochukwu Omelu, this was largely in recognition of his
unequalled philanthropy, selfless service to humanity and his ability to have
undertaken the building of the Anambra State NUJ Secretariat in Awka.(8)(7)
Ezeemo was also
presented with the Award of Honour by Umuchu Town Union, Federal Capital
Territory Abuja in recognition of singlehandedly built the Anambra State Union
of Journalism (NUJ) secretariat, Police Officers Wives building project and the
good job his Charity Ezeemo Foundation is doing in the life of less privileged.(9)
Other awards includes:
Annual African Achievement Award by the African Forum Scotland; Media
Excellence Award, for outstanding contributions to Media Development, by The
Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone ‘C’ in conjunction with Gregory
University Uturu; Encouragement Award by Women Wing Umuchu Improvement Union;
Professional Excellence Award by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR);
Community Service Award by Rotaract Club, Anambra University Chapter; Award of
Excellence by Bridge-Head Market Traders Association; Grassroots Sports Promoter
Award by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State
Council; Platinum Award by the Tools and Allied Products Dealers Association,
Onitsha for his efforts in renovating the Offices and Conference Hall of the
Association.
Businesses
Mr. Ezeemo is the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group of Companies.(7)
Ezeemo, an astute business mogul and CEO of a chain of businesses, has for many
years turned his business antenna towards his home state, Anambra State. All
his investments now are concentrated in the State, all this in a personal
effort to solve the youth unemployment problems and alleviate poverty in
Anambra State. He was once quoted as saying: “For now, no more investments
outside Igboland. We have done much elsewhere; it is now time to focus on the
home front so that our children at home will engage themselves meaningfully
without necessarily having to relocate to Lagos or Abuja.”(10)
True to his words,
Ezeemo has set up a number of businesses at home – not necessarily for
profit (because a better return on investment is guaranteed in a city like
Lagos or Abuja) but mainly as a means of alleviating youth unemployment. At
Umuchu, for instance, there is the massive Orient Farm, which focuses on
poultry production, with other aspects of agribusiness on the sidelines, such
as plantain and palm plantations. Fresh Life Water, another Ezeemo initiative,
is already producing and distributing best quality drinking water across many
parts of the state. There is also the Union Haulage Filling Station, and many
other investments which include Hotels and Conference Halls. All these employ
numerous youths in Anambra who ordinarily would have been idle thereby possibly
constituting security threat to the state.(10)
Also in the stables of
Orient Group is Orient Magazine, Newspaper and Communication Limited,
publishers of Nigerian OrientNews Magazine and Orient Daily Newspaper, a route
through which this man of foresight is championing development in Igboland.
Ezeemo has ensured that all his investments has their head offices in Awka, the
Anambra State capital. Ezeemo has also contributed his quota in alleviating the
housing problem in Awka by providing affordable housing through massive estate
development. The housing Estates located in Awka South Local Government
provides housing for all cadres of people in the society.(10)
Political Life
Based on his
philanthropic nature, and the massive investments he has single-handedly brought
to Anambra State without being in any official position; and the type of
interest he has shown in the welfare of Anambrarians, the people called upon
Ezeemo to contest for the position of governorship of his home state Anambra.
While accepting this
clarion call, Ezeemo said that having lived abroad and seen the orderliness and
development there, his intention was to come home and replicate same in his
state. The aspirant, who expressed his readiness to serve the people, promised
that when elected, security of lives and property would be guaranteed to
attract foreign investors to the state.(11)(12) Hear Ezeemo: I am in
politics because I have the conviction that our people are still suffering.
Many problems I saw while growing up are still here with us. The leadership has
not done well enough. I decided to leave my comfort zone to correct so many
anomalies that have bedevilled Anambra State in recent times. Unemployment is
still very high in the state, prompting youths to move into crimes. (13)
However, findings
revealed that Anambra people began to really look the way of Mr. Ezeemo in May
2012 when for one whole week he gathered the entire State at the Parktonia
Hotel, Akwa for the first ever Anambra Re-Orientation Conference. Packaged in
conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council,
the conference with the theme “Re-Discovering Lost Igbo Values” took a holistic
look at the fast fading values of Anambra State and the South East region.(17)
Ezeemo threw his political
weight with Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) and became a major financier of
the party in Anambra State. His contributions to the party includes cash and
bus donations to the state Executive / Working Committee of the Party;
sponsorship of State Executive working tour of ACN wards in Old Aguata Local
Government, cash donations to State ACN Women wing; cash donations to the
Gubernatorial and Senatorial campaign / elections of Dr. Chris Ngige (OON);
sponsorship of the state Chairman’s trip to Accra Ghana for an ACN seminar;
payment of annual rents of ACN Local Governments and ward offices in the state
coverning Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South, Nnewi North Local Governments;
and so many others.
ACN was later to merged
with two other political parties to metamorphosed into All Progressives
Congress (APC). As preparations for the governorship primaries were
gathering momentum, stumbling blocks were set in Ezeemo’s path to
discourage him from participating in the primaries. As a columnist aptly
described it, “the fear of Ezeemo is the beginning of wisdom for other
contenders in APC”.(17) Ezeemo was severally disqualified by the
leadership of APC from contesting the governorship primaries with the intention
of imposing Dr. Chris Ngige on the party faithful, Ezeemo and his
supporters fought really hard to reverse these decisions. Later, again he
was disqualified based on a trumped up charge of dual citizenship. This again
was proven to be false. Finally when all these shenanigans failed to discourage
the man, the election was conducted with prefabricated results, which
eventually was in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige.
The first huddle set in
Ezeemo’s way was the unilateral choice of Dr. Chris Ngige as the party
candidate for governorship election. Rumour mills were awash with the news that
Ezeemo has stepped down for Dr. Ngige. However, Ezeemo debunked the rumours
stating: “I want to state unequivocally that I am still in the race for Anambra
Governorship under the platform of All Progressives Congress; a party I and
other well meaning Anambra people worked hard to build. The rumour making the
rounds that Chris Ngige has emerged the flag bearer of the All Progressives
Congress in the November 16 Anambra election is baseless and unfounded.(14)(15)(16)
Ezeemo in his strongly
worded speech shook the thousands of supporters from the 21 Local Government
Areas that make up Anambra State when he said he would use his resources and
supporters to fight for APC to win the Anambra governorship but would not like
anybody to be imposed on the party.
He reminded them that he wasn’t desperate over governing Anambra as nobody asked him to come and contest but because of his passion to contribute his quota. He wondered why some people are playing against the tide in a democracy.(18) Based on these protests, APC leadership did an about-turn and came out with a declaration which set aside the decision of the party’s Primary Screening Committee, which stated earlier that the party has chosen a candidate for the November 16th governorship election in the person of Senator Chris Ngige, a decision that prompted party faithful to protest, joining the candidate in his protest in what was termed as imposition of candidate.(20)
He reminded them that he wasn’t desperate over governing Anambra as nobody asked him to come and contest but because of his passion to contribute his quota. He wondered why some people are playing against the tide in a democracy.(18) Based on these protests, APC leadership did an about-turn and came out with a declaration which set aside the decision of the party’s Primary Screening Committee, which stated earlier that the party has chosen a candidate for the November 16th governorship election in the person of Senator Chris Ngige, a decision that prompted party faithful to protest, joining the candidate in his protest in what was termed as imposition of candidate.(20)
Another columnist wrote:
On his insistence, Godwin Ezeemo will today confront the All Progressives
Congress (APC) giant, Senator Chris Ngige, in primaries to chose the party’s
flag bearer for November 16 Governorship election in Anambra State. Ezeemo had
earlier refused to accept what had looked like a plan by APC hierarchy to
present Ngige as the sole candidate of the party in Abuja some two weeks ago.(21)
The second huddle was
the disqualification of Ezeemo by the APC Anambra State gubernatorial screening
committee. The Screening Committee had disqualified Ezeemo on the ground that
he has dual citizenship, but he convinced the Committee that the Nigerian
Constitution stipulates that any Nigerian born in the country was qualified to
run for any office.(25) This second huddle was just coming two
days to the primary election. A surprised observer wrote: “Ahead of tomorrow’s
gubernatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra
State, the national leadership of the party has reversed the disqualification
of Mr. Godwin Ezeemo from contesting for the party’s ticket for the November 16
governorship election in the state. Ezeemo was earlier disqualified by the
party’s screening panel on the ground that he had dual citizenship.”(22)
Finally, an overly
controversial primary election was eventually held. Ezeemo and his
supporters not completely satisfied insisted on a repeat of the
exercise, accusing Ngige of influencing the outcome by doctoring the membership
of the party. Sources said that while Ezeemo, was busy campaigning for votes,
Ngige employed his experience to facilitate the registration of members of
different community associations from other Southeast states resident in
Anambra into APC.(19)
Based on these
irregularities accompanying the APC primaries, Ezeemo decided to quit the party
with his supporters and joined the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).(23)
As the November governorship election is fast approaching, an opinion poll
conducted by an independent polling group indicates that Ezeemo is still the
main contender for the governorship post in Anambra State.(24)
Notable Quotes From
Ezeemo
“Empowerment is a must.
Anambra people should always be empowered so that they will in turn empower
others. But to achieve this we all must be committed in everything we do or
whichever place we find ourselves. I believe that the best investment in live
is human investment and this is the reason why I will continue to empower
Anambrarians. I urge you to do so equally, no matter how little, it pays.”
“I am not going to hit
below the belt, no matter what. At the end of the day, power belongs to the
people; then God decides who it goes to”.
References
1 The man Mr. Godwin
Chukwunenye Ezeemo.
2 Ndu John Ezekwo (2012)
Anambra after Obi (2) Nigerian Compass.
Tuesday 31, July,
2012.
3 Nwanosike Onu (2012)
Foundation Fetes the needy. The Nation
06/01/2012
4 Okey Maduforo (2012)
Ezeemo launches academy. Daily Independent.
Wed. Sept 18, 2012
5 Odinaka Anudu (2012)
Flood Submerges Several Communities in
Anambra State. Nigerian Orient News. Oct 11, 2012
6 Vincent Ujumadu (2012)
Boko Haram: Please end this carnage, victim
Pleads with govt. Vanguard. March 23, 2012.
7 Charles Okeke (2013)
How Ezeemo is boosting media in Anambra.
National Mirror. March 14, 2013.
8 Godwin Ezeemo Wins Man
of the Year Award. Nigerian Orient News.
October 31, 2012.
9 Sola Akingboye (2012).
Kinsmen Honour Godwin Ezeemo in Abuja.
Nigerian Orient News. December 13, 2012.
10 Emma Ibezim (2013) Thinking
Home: The Godwin Ezeemo example.
BusinessDay. March 29, 2013.
11 Ex-Governor rejects zoning
in Anambra governorship race. Premium Times.
March 19, 2013.
12 Former governor rejects zoning in
Anambra guber race. Daily Times.
March 19, 2013.
13 Chukwuma Okoro and Odinaka
Anudu (2013) My Mission is To Rescue `
Anambra ....Godwin Ezeemo. Nigerian Orient News. Sept 9 2013.
14 Dapo Akinrefon (2013) I’ve not
stepped down for Ngige – Ezeemo.
Vanguard, August 23, 2013.
15 Reporter (2013) Nigeria: APC
ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP
CANDIDATES REJECTS NGIGE Codewit World News. Thursday
August 22, 2013.
16 Eya Willy and Fred Itua
(2013) Anambra: Crisis as Ngige emerges APC
consensus candidate. The Sun. August 22, 2013.
17 Chukwuma Okoro and Odinaka Anudu
(2013) Anambra Guber: The
Looming Upset Godwin Ezeemo is the Man to Beat. Nigerian Orient News.
September 9, 2013.
18 Odogwu Christian (2013) Awka
Stands Still For Ezeemo…APC Guber
Aspirant Gets Set For Primary. Orient Newspaper. August 26, 2013.
19 Leo Sobechi (2013) Anambra 2013: Waiting
For Running Mates,
Substitution. The Guardian. Sunday 08, Sept. 2013.
20 Channels Television (2013)
APC Appeal Committee Clears Ezeemo For
Anambra Primary. Channels. August 31, 2013.
21 Chukwujekwu Ilozue (2013) Ezeemo
battles Ngige in Anambra APC
primaries today.
Daily Independent. Mondday September 2, 2013.
22 Okechukwu Obeta (2013) Anambraa
Guber Race: APC Voids
Disqualification of Aspirant. Leadership. Sept.
1, 2013.
23 Chidi Obineche (2013) Anambra Guber:
PPA, Ezeemo retool game The Sun.
September 22, 2013.
24 Omoniyi Salaudeen (2013) Anambra
guber: Ezeemo emerges leading
Candidate. The Sun. September 22, 2013.
25 Okey Ndiribe and Vincent Ujumadu
(2013) Nigeria: Anambra 2013 –
Ezeemo Battles
Ngige to the End for APC Ticket. Vanguard. 3 September 2013.
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