By Charles Abere
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, High Chief (Sir) Alex Ndubuisi, has described the relationship between the Igbo resident in the State and the governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government as very cordial and fantastic.
The leader of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation expressed the view while playing host to journalists in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Sir Ndubuisi who had earlier spent eight years and three months as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ado local government before becoming the current President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State, explained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a political organisation, but always in support of any government in power.
On the relationship between himself, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the State government, the President-General noted that any leader that has no followers is just taking a walk.
“We have been working together and they are solidly behind me. There is a serious relationship between myself and my people”.
Describing the personality of Governor Oyebanji, the High Chief who pointed out that many governments have come and gone but for the present administration under the leadership of Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo voted for him en mass because of the kind of person he represents.
According to him, “Oyebanji is our very good friend and we reciprocated the good relationship by voting for him overwhelmingly during the election.
“He promised to ensure a conducive business environment for us, I mean those of us running business in the State instead of patronising people outside the state because we pay tax to the State. Actually, he has been very wonderful by keeping to the promise and he has been maintaining it as well. So kudos to him”.
On the occasion of the 57th birthday of the governor, Sir Alex Ndubuisi prayed God Almighty to grant him peace, good health and more success in his present administration and the next, saying he’s really doing well.
He showered encomiums on the governor for what he described as quintessential leadership with integrity. Adding that he has actually endeared himself to the people as the practicality of his governance can be seen in the socio-economic transformation of the state within a span of two years in office.
The man that calls the shots for Ohanaeze in Ekiti State said Oyebanji is a leader who came on board with a plan of action. A leader who spares time to gauge the pulse of the people and goes ahead to avail them of the necessary developmental projects that will impact on their lives.
“I know that he would still come back again after this. His 4 + 4 is sure as far as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ekiti is concerned because I am going to make sure that I mobilize my people to vote for him again. We did it before and we are ready to do it again”.
On the age-long impression by other tribes that an average Igbo man is business-inclined than being education- inclined, the President-General debunked such insinuation, pointing out that Igbo outside igbo land are known to be in business.
In his word, “That doesn’t mean that they are not educated. Some of them are educated but they don’t believe in white collar job, because when you talk of other places like even Ekiti for instance, most of them are civil servants. That’s why you see a lot of teachers and others in various government establishments”.
“No matter the degree you have, like my humble self, by the grace of God, I have masters and I didn’t stop at that, I am still moving on to other things. But that business is very important because it helps the society to grow. It helps the country to grow. If all of us are civil servants or artisans, business is the major”.
The Enugu State-born High Chief affirmed that an educated businessman who still pursues education, probably to sharpen his business skills or have another plan. The business mogul said education tells in everything.
“When you are in business, there are more things you will still want to bring into the business. When you say you are educated and you have money. Money is not everything. There are many things you need. Who says that businessman cannot come into politics and become a Commissioner in his State or even Minister in Abuja”?
“There are some politicians that don’t even take politics as their occupation. You don’t have to remain stagnant because you are a businessman. You have to get yourself educated. Gone are the days when businessmen would tell you they don’t know how to operate computer or tell you they don’t know how to write this or that. You may have the money as a businessman but education is paramount”.
Recounting his achievements so far as the leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the State, the PG noted that the organisation has been able to make a lot of progress as he stated that what matters is peace.
“Peace matters in everything even within the family. We make sure that peace reigns among us and we make sure that we are speaking with one voice. Unlike some other states where some of the members are under litigation, going to court, dragging one thing or the other. We are not having anything like that in Ekiti State. We understand ourselves”.
He remarked that the government has been supportive and a good landlord. The Ohanaeze top-notch explained that there were things that never happened before that are actually happening in this present administration. “We are not left out in the scheme of things. We’re always involved and equally carried along in everything happening in the State.” Hence, it is imperative for every Igbo man or woman resident in the state to respect their host communities.
On achievements, he opens up, “we secured a place along Ikere road where we want to build the Ohaneze Ndigbo Permanent Secretariat because anywhere we Igbo find ourselves, we always like to show love to the host community by trying to align with them for success, as a matter of fact, we have that and we are now proposing to lay the foundation and move on with the secretariat. That is where the greater number of Igbo in Ekiti State would be having their meetings and functions”.
Sir Alex Ndubuisi who is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Alexmak Nigeria Limited, a company that deals in all segments of electrical appliances equally spoke on what distinguishes his own business from others.
The highly talented business tycoon said any businessman that wants to be successful should be able to maintain a cordial relationship with customers which he highlighted as one of the secrets of success in business.
“You have to be honest to your customers. Allow them to enjoy what is called end-users satisfaction by selling quality things that will make them enjoy their money, because if somebody buys something today and by tomorrow or next, it spoils, that person will not be interested in coming to you again”.
“You have to buy the quality things and sell to them so that while using it, they will know that they are actually enjoying their money. Also, everybody knows that all businessmen are interested in profit but don’t maximize your profit exorbitantly in order to encourage your customers to be patronising you and even to help you tell other members of the public to patronise you.
In his admonition to all Igbo in Ekiti State, he urged them to always be law abiding and maintain good relationship with their host communities, noting that you cannot come from afar to another man’s place and think you can lord yourself over them. There must be a cordial relationship because the landlord is always the owner of the land and no tenant can claim the ownership of another man’s house.
“If as a tenant you have a good relationship with your landlord, there will be happiness, there will be understanding and there will be joy. So I always advise them to maintain peace because it’s only under a peaceful atmosphere that we can transact our business.
“You cannot transact business where there is war, where people are fighting here and there to destroy things. Above all, they shouldn’t for any reason dabble into theft because that easily spoils one’s name. Any business that is not genuine or legitimate, they should stay away from it”.
