A Tribute To Nuel Ojei The Business Mogul And Philanthropist -By Gozie Irogboli

I have always stated in my essays that just as I take delight in reading biographies of great men, I also find it quite appropriate to reflect on their lives to identify and highlight the virtues and principles that guided their lives not just for personal knowledge but as a way to inspire the younger generation especially in this era of lack of real role models. Thus, writing about people who have achieved greatness is not just about showering encomium on them but about inspiring younger generation to aspire for true greatness. And talking about inspiration, one of those among the array of great men in present-day Nigeria whose life mirrored our cherished values of integrity, dedication, service and hard work is Dr. Emmanuel Isichei Ugochukwu Ojei popularly known as Nuel Ojei who passed on in December last year.

Sometime in the mid-1980s I traveled from Lagos to Issele-Uku to spend my holiday with my parents. And coincidentally, the day I arrived, the whole town was in a festive mood because electricity light was restored to the town after many years of blackout. Issele-Uku source of electricity power was switched from the Rural Electricity Board (REB) to the national grid. And the person that sponsored the project singlehanded was the young Nuel Ojei. My father told me then and rightly too, that Issele-Uku is a blessed land. Apart from its unique location as a nodal town surrounded by many friendly interdependent communities, God has always raised men to lift the town.  As the Christian missionaries who introduced Western education to Issele-Uku during the reign of Obi Egbune early in the 20th century were settling down, God raised Rev. SW Martin, an American returnee and the founder of the Pilgrim Baptist Mission to complement the work of the missionaries and to open up the town for more development. And as Rev. Martin was rounding off his mission on earth in 1976, Dr. Nuel Ojei emerged as lodestar to continue from where he stopped. And for close to fifty years, Nuel Ojei’s influence and impact can be seen and felt in the town: empowering men, establishing structures and attracting development to the town. However, Nuel Ojei’s impact and influence was not limited to Issele-Uku alone. In fact, it would be unfair to say that of him. His influence went beyond that. He touched life positive everywhere he went in every nook and cranny of the country.

Nuel Ojei was one of the few true business personalities that remained through to their calling of doing business and making wealth and then using their time, energy, skills and talents and wealth to uplift the dignity of man. He was one of the very few business icons who did not stain their hands in the murky waters of Nigeria politics. Much as he had always shown keen interest in the happenings in the political scene as every patriot and genuine investor should, he remained politically neutral, identifying with good programs and supporting good governance. He had never stood for any elective position or sought political appointment even when he was close to those at the corridors of power. But, some see him as a silent king maker who sponsored credible candidates and influenced the appointment of his people into public offices.

In business, he was a dogged fighter and a shrewd investor, one imbued with sound business intelligence; a strategic thinker who saw opportunity where others see obstacles. He was principled, serious-minded and dutifully committed to everything that he did. He never waited for what others call the right time, he created his own right time through pro-active engagement. He was a jack of all trade and master of all. He had investment in almost every sector of the Nigerian economy from oil and gas, financial services, auto distribution and maintenance, telecommunication, real estate to construction. He has his presence in many towns and cities across the globe. He was one of highest employer of labor in the private sector Nigeria with thousands of Nigerians including over 200 expatriate workers on his payroll.

Interestingly, despite his enormous wealth, influence and accomplishments, Nuel Ojei remained what he was: a human being, simple, humble; a man of genteel and unassuming disposition always. Those who knew him from close quarters can tell of his simple lifestyle. He lived a simple quiet life insulated from scandals and controversies. He did not seek the limelight, publicity or recognition neither was he interested in accumulating awards and titles. He knew rightly that a man’s real worth does constitute in titles and awards he garnered but in the quality of life he lived and the lives that he touched positively. He was a great mentor, a leader and builder of men who knew how to network and manage relationships. He lived a life of what Steven Covey, the celebrated American writer, would describe as a principle-centered that embodies self-discipline, simplicity, humility, integrity and hard work. His legacy is a legacy of service to the people to the people.

Clearly, it seemed that Nuel Ojei knew what he wanted from life and began very early in pursuit of it. He was calm, focused, diligent and purposeful in his ways. Before the age of thirty, he was already a firmly established millionaire; a feat he achieved by dint of hard work. When he left Vocational School Issele-Uku in 1972, he joined Rutam Motors as a sales man from where he learned the ropes. And before long, he left to establish his own business investing in different areas. In 1989, he incorporated Nuel Ojei Holdings, bringing all his investments into one umbrella to ensure effective control and good corporate governance.

Apart from his exploit in the world of business, Nuel Ojei may be best remembered for his acts of philanthropy and generosity. He was a man that believed strongly in corporate social responsibility and he lived it. He was a philanthropist who believed in giving back to the society without sounding his trumpet. Through Nuel Ojei Foundation, he made positive impact in peoples’ lives through many interventionist and empowerment programs. Many people can attest to this from every nook and cranny of the nation.

Indeed, Nuel Ojei’s type comes once in generation and he would be greatly missed by all. His son and heir to his business empire, Chuks Nicholas Ojei in a statement announcing the death of the great industrialist lamented thusly: “words cannot fully capture the depth of our pain at this moment as we struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss of a man who was not only our father but our strength, teacher and moral compass”. His kid sister, Princess Amb. Afoma Ojei-Adigwe said Nuel Ojei would remembered for his care and unmatchable act of generosity. She says, “Brother Emma was a great pillar that supported both the big and the small; the great iroko that shelters both the strong, the weak and vulnerable”.

He was a devoted Christian, a loving husband, a caring father and good family man, a gentleman and a mentor to many, a great leader and a nation-builder. Indeed, Ndi-Issei have lost an illustrious son. The Nigerian business community has lost a colossus. And the country has lost one its finest entrepreneur. Although, his exit has left a big vacuum that would be very difficult to fill yet we are consoled by the quality of life that he lived and his enduring legacies. Although he is gone but he still lives in the hearts of those whose lives he had touched positively. And I know that his labor of love would not go unrewarded by God Almighty.

While I commiserate with the Ojei family of Ogboli Quarters of Issele-Uku, the Issele-Uku monarch, HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna Ⅱ, the good people of Issele-Uku, the Delta State people and the Nigerian business community, I pray the good Lord to give you all the grace to bear the irreparable loss. And may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace!

Gozie Irogboli 

(goziei@yahoo.com)

An economist, banker, a novelist and public policy analyst

A consultant to, Uplifting the Youth Through Agriculture (UYOTA), 

the NGO of Princess Amb. Afoma Ojei-Adigwe (Nuel Ojei’s younger sister)