Arthur Eze: The Prince With A Heart Of Gold -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

In my career as a public affairs commentator, I have discovered that one of the hardest things to do is writing about people because of the intricacies involved and the obvious misconceptions associated with it. But, I cannot stop writing about people especially public-spirited individuals for obvious reasons too. I am an activist with a special interest in the vulnerable groups amongst us and so I am naturally attracted to those given to a life of charity and philanthropy. So, it is an obligation of a sort for me to write about individuals whose lives and activities are in sync with my pro-life philosophy.

Clearly, public discourse is not just about criticisms and satire but about enlightenment and that includes throwing searchlights on our heroes as well. Mentoring and coaching as motivational activities essentially involves mirroring and modeling the lives of great achievers. It is motivational and inspirational to do so. It is really encouraging to zoom in on the life and accomplishments of great personalities. One of my friends and close confidant told me that he draws inspiration from reading biographies of great men. Thus, cerebrating achievers is one of the most veritable ways of asking the people especially the youth to appreciate achievement and strive hard to achieve greatness.

At present, Nigeria is embroiled in a political cum security crisis. The citizens are forlorn, disillusioned and dispirited. As a nation, it seems all hope of survival is lost. The only hope for the nation is to look inwards and latch in on our areas of strength. And it is indeed cheery to think and imagine that all hope is not lost for the nation when we review the activities of great men and patriotic individuals among us who have worked assiduously to touch lives and lift many out of poverty by uncommon philanthropic gestures.

Indeed, there are many personalities whose patriotic zeal and humanitarian posturing can pull this country out of the deep political morass where it is now. And one of those individuals, a bridge-builder, a detribalized Nigeria with uncommon nationalistic zest is Prince Arthur Eze. So, today, my literary radar is on Prince Engineer Arthur Eze. My interest in the Ukpo Prince is not just because I know him from close quarters having had the rare opportunity of working for him in the past or because I am an Anambrarian by marriage but because his life as an accomplished philanthropist, selfless politician and an accomplished business man and corporate icon is something to celebrate.

Without doubt, Prince Arthur Eze needs no introduction in the social circles, political circles or business circles in Nigeria and beyond. Arthur Eze has left his footprints in the sand of time through his innumerable people-oriented programs. He has love for humanity and thus his well-intentioned act of philanthropy goes beyond the shores of Nigeria.

He is called the godfather of Anambra politics. He is the godfather not in the mould of exploiters who would dictate to political office holders and feast on the public coffers. He is the godfather who would encourage, support and sponsor qualified candidates irrespective of political or ethnic affiliations. He is a peculiar kind of godfather who would set targets for his political sons and primed them to achieve them for the benefit of the people and when there is deviation, he would not fail to speak out. He is not afraid of criticism. Arthur Eze’s towering presence and influence is felt in every nook and cranny of his home state Anambra and beyond. He has a political philosophy based on sound ethical principles of service to the people. He is people-oriented. He has proved that politics is about the people. He has proved that politics is not about corrupt enrichment. He is in politics not to seek elective positions or political appointment or government contracts but to empower his people and that he has done creditably well by attracting government presence to his area and by investing his personal resources in his people.

The Ozoigbondu (the savior of Ndi-Igbo) as he is fondly called by his innumerable admirers has touched many lives positively. He has innumerable number of programs and projects to his credit, executed to improve the quality of lives of his people. He has invested in the lives of the poor and the vulnerable groups in our country. Needless to list the things he has done in this regard for they are already in the public domain.

He believes the wealth of the nation should go round. He believes the poor and the needy should be supported and the gifted should be assisted to reach their potentials and that that is the way to achieve progress and peace in the society. He is of the view that there is crisis in the nation today because the politicians have not done enough to empower the people.

Undoubtedly, Prince Arthur is one of the greatest philanthropists that have ever emerged in Nigeria. He is simple, kind, unassuming, gentle and humane. But beyond his seeming gentle disposition is a courageous fighter and a defender of what he believes. He is not afraid of criticism or afraid to criticize what he sees as evil or afraid to lend his voice in support of what he considers good and appropriate. He does not crave for attention that is why it appears praise singers and media activists are not singing his praise as it should and that again is because the Igbo nation his primary constituency are not given to praise singing.

From Prince Arthur Eze, I have learnt that politics is not a zero-sum game but about promoting peace and orderliness in the society through productive people engagement and empowerment. It is not a do-or-die affair as erroneously believed. People promoting politics of bitterness and rancor are political pettifoggers that have nothing to offer. In business, I have learnt that one can be bullish and competitive and yet be ethical. And above all, I have learnt that wealth is nothing without people; that touching lives through acts of charity and philanthropy is true greatness. Nigerians should learn from the lives of great men like Prince Arthur Eze, eschew bitterness, mutual recrimination and rancor that is the only way to build the nation of our dream.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK