John Calvin Maxwell, an exponent of good leadership, once said, “a leader is a person who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
Dr. Chidozie Wilson Nwankwo (Chairman WICHTECH GROUP), a charismatic leader and philanthropist with a golden heart, is a charming personality, an indefatigable colossus, and a happily married man that I admire and associated with since my childhood.
I have known Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo since the mid-80s. I grew up with him in a peace-loving street in Onitsha, Anambra State. I was attracted to him because of his love for education and polished attitude. He has a penchant for success and a preference for charity. Whenever I visited his house during my leisure, he would show keen interest in teaching me some courses, especially mathematics. By then, he had graduated from Government Technical College Onitsha, and had started growing his business structure with wisdom, humility, and honesty.
Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo’s enchanting physiognomy and endowments had never distracted him from being focus on his business, majorly in building materials. His uncommon cool-headedness and non-extravagant lifestyle made many pay less attention to his successes. Yet, Dr. Chidozie, fondly called “Overdose” or “Over-nwa” was not perturbed by the prevalent youthful exuberance but continued to nurture his wealth.
Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo’s humility and cultured lifestyle endeared him to my father, late Mr. Francis Omeifeukwu Okigbo – an experienced metropolitan merchant and devoted Christian that lived a saintly life. My father was a father, mentor, and friend to Dr. Chidozie. Whenever “Overdose” came back from work, he would always love to have a father-and-son chat with my father. There was a memorable incident that happened before my father’s death in 1992. When my father discovered Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo’s strength of wealth, which was evidently uneven to his social radiance, he was struck in amazement and dumbfounded that such a young man in his 20s, who was not exuberant and luxurious, should have such wealth. When Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo came back from travel, my father who was still curious and considering him as a promising young man requested him to confirm if he had such a wealth he heard of, and Dr. Chidozie confirmed it. In what seemed like a blessing from a loving FATHER to an obedient SON, my father while blessing Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, declared:
“because you had such money with you at your young age and you remained thrifty and prudent, without resorting to opulent and extravagant lifestyle trending among your peers, note it down for remembrance, you shall be PROSPEROUS MORE THAN ANYBODY WOULD EXPECT. “
Like prophecy of the old, my father’s blessing to Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo started to manifest limitlessly. He surpassed his contemporaries dealing on Oluwa Glass at building material market at Ozomagana street Onitsha; and between 1991 to 1994 he became a major distributor of Oluwa Glass Industries Ltd located at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
As a child of destiny, in 1997, he teamed with his friend to form CHIDOO-DEHACO Company that spanned for ten years in the shipping sector. The company, through his forthrightness and honesty, grew up as one of the trending Clearing and Forwarding companies in Southeastern Nigeria. In a nutshell, Chido-Dehaco company became a name most importers would crave to transact with.
Prior to the above, Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo had registered Wichtech Industries Limited in 1995. By 2008, the company was waxing stronger in the dealing and beautification of Nigeria and West Africa houses with Gerrard Roof tiles produced by AHI/Fletcher Company, New Zealand – the Company that invented the world’s first steel roof tiles in 1957. Like a mustard seed that grew to an Iroko tree, Wichtech roofing revolutionized the stone-coated roofing in Nigeria, and also gave houses exquisite ambiance.
Added to that, the doggedness and resilient nature of Dr. Chidozie is phenomenal. I remember vividly how he left no stone unturned to see that Wichtech IPS (PPR) plumbing system gained access in Nigeria. Precisely, in 2010, our team had done countless exhibitions, and ceaseless aggressive marketing of the IPS (PPR) products; but all to no avail. Many professionals, plumbers, and dealers advised us against further efforts to introducing the product in Nigeria markets since PVC was far cheaper. But Dr. Chidozie remained optimistic, undaunted, and told me in December 2010 that we should not give in to their defeatist thoughts. Rather, he fanned me up assuring me that in five years’ time (2015) that IPS Polypropylene Random (PPR) for hot and cold water would be widely accepted in Nigeria markets. Like a miracle, in less than three years, his vision came to a reality. Following that, other Wichtech products like Southpro/Regency Rainwater Gutter, Pushfit, Sanitaries, Betek paint, and others, easily gained popular demand. He has created more than 10,000 jobs. Indeed, there is no doubt that Dr. Chidozie is a man with a magic torch. He never lets go until success is achieved. He sees opportunity where others see doom. His successes have shown that the impossibility is untried. His thoughtfulness reminds me of the motto of the British Special Air Service (SAS): “who dares wins.”
Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo’s philanthropism is second to none. His arm of love and sense of charity towards the poor, widows, and helpless are indiscriminate and non-selective. I say this because, between 24th to 26th December 2009, I was involved in the sharing of his relief materials in his hometown Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. More than one thousand needy and elderly people came from far and near to partake in the charity from an exemplary and God-fearing man, whose major source of joy is to give hope to the hopeless, joy to the sad, and love to the poor. I remember a particular elderly woman in her 80s, whose special prayer for Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, I truly believed, touched God’s heart. She curiously stood at the right-hand side of the magnificent Church singlehandedly built by Dr. Nwankwo. As soon as she felt relief materials given to her, unfrozen tears of appreciation began to repeatedly flow down from her eyes, while her mouth was in deep prayer, releasing showers of blessing on Dr. Nwankwo – an emotional scene that could break the stoutest of hearts. It was a red-letter day in my life. Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, since 1986 has affected positively over 400,000 people irrespective of ethnicity and religion. For administrative convenience, he entrusted his Kingdom Care Foundation to manage his charity work, missionary outreach, and scholarship empowerment.
Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo that I know, a graduate of Greenhills University, Denmark, is a dedicated, exceptional, and honest leader with impeccable and unimpeachable character. He is a personality that will not condone dishonest actions under his watch. Such is essential for a person that will lead Anambrarians and occupy the seat of power at Government House Awka, Anambra State.
Let us join hands with a brand-new Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo and RENEW ANAMBRA STATE.
Anambrarians do not need a governor that manages only Anambra State money, but a governor that can also create more money for Anambra state.
Anambrarians do not need a clannish governor, but a governor that will attract federal projects in Anambra State.
Anambrarians do not need a governor that sees governance as a private business, but a governor that sees governance as a selfless service to his people.
Anambrarians need a brand-new Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo to become the GOVERNOR of the people, by the people, for the people in Anambra State.
Chidozie Okigbo
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