My Passion Is to Build People, Businesses, Lasting Legacy -Entrepreneur, Nwaobia Ezechimere

Entrepreneur and leadership strategist, Ezechimere Jesse Nwaobia, has described his passion for entrepreneurship and leadership as being driven by a desire to build people, create opportunities and leave a lasting legacy beyond financial success.

Nwaobia, the Founding CEO of Geplex International Services Ltd, said his interest in business has always been connected to a broader purpose of empowering people and creating platforms through which individuals, particularly young people, can discover their potential.

According to him, his entrepreneurial journey was never solely about building companies or generating wealth, but about creating a life and legacy that can positively influence others.

“My passion has always been bigger than building a business. I am passionate about building people, creating opportunities and showing what is possible when ambition is combined with integrity and purpose,” Nwaobia said.

He explained that his early experiences growing up in Rivers State helped shape his understanding of hard work, community and resilience, values which he said continue to influence his approach to business and leadership.

Nwaobia said he believes businesses should serve a purpose beyond profit and should be capable of creating value for employees, customers, communities and the wider society.

“I believe a successful business should not only make money; it should solve problems, create opportunities and make life better for the people it touches,” he said.

His passion for developing young people is also reflected in the establishment of the Geplex Youth Foundation, an initiative focused on nurturing the next generation of young leaders.

Nwaobia said the foundation represents an extension of his personal belief that young people need more than encouragement; they need access to opportunities, guidance and platforms where they can develop their abilities.

“I am deeply passionate about young people because I believe the future is not something we simply wait for. We have to deliberately prepare the people who will lead it,” he said.

He noted that many young Africans possess the talent and creativity required to succeed but are often limited by a lack of access to mentorship, resources and opportunities.

His message to young entrepreneurs is therefore centred on action, resilience and problem-solving.

“I want young people to understand that they don’t have to have everything figured out before they begin. Start with what you have, learn as you go and keep improving,” he said.

Nwaobia also identified leadership development as an area of particular interest, saying effective leadership should be measured by the positive influence a person has on others rather than by titles or positions.

“For me, leadership is about influence. It is about helping people see a better version of themselves and giving them the confidence and direction to become that person,” he said.

His interest in leadership has extended into academia, where he earned an MRes in Leadership and Strategy from the University of Greater Manchester and is currently pursuing a PhD at Greater Manchester Business School.

His doctoral research focuses on digital leadership and AI-powered revenue collection, an area he believes will become increasingly important as technology continues to reshape organisations, governments and businesses.

Nwaobia said his academic journey has reinforced his belief that leaders must remain willing to learn and adapt.

“The world is changing too quickly for any leader to believe they have learnt everything they need to know. My passion for learning comes from the understanding that leadership requires continuous reinvention,” he said.

Beyond entrepreneurship and leadership, Nwaobia said his passion for family has also influenced his definition of success. As a father of four, he believes professional achievement should not come at the expense of family, personal wellbeing and meaningful relationships.

“I want my children to see that success is not just about what you accumulate. It is also about the people you influence, the values you uphold and the difference you make,” he said.

He said his ultimate ambition is to create a body of work that continues to have an impact even after he is no longer directly involved.

“My greatest passion is legacy. I want to build things that outlive me, develop people who can go further than I did, and leave behind evidence that integrity and ambition can exist together,” Nwaobia said.

He added that his approach to entrepreneurship is anchored on the belief that reputation is one of the most valuable assets any individual can build.

“Money can be made and lost, but your name stays with you. I would rather build slowly with integrity than achieve something quickly and lose the trust of the people around me,” he said.

For Nwaobia, the pursuit of entrepreneurship, leadership and youth development ultimately comes down to one objective: creating meaningful impact.

“If, at the end of my journey, people can say that I built businesses, developed leaders, created opportunities and helped other people believe in what was possible for their lives, then I would consider that a life well spent,” he said.