EKEOMA EME EKEOMA: What Matters Most to Me is to Make an Impact

Forever young and ebullient, the Chairman, Nepal Oil and Gas, Elder Ekeoma Eme Ekeoma wears many hats- a successful business tycoon, philanthropist, and an elder. With a life hinged on raw and selfless commitment, the discovery of a higher purpose; his passion for family values, friends and the community is quite infectious. Having made an impact in the secular world for over four decades, one thing, however, has consumed him- his unwavering passion for his calling. With humour and humility, he speaks with
Adedayo Adejobi, on the unique essence of being a grandfather, his spirituality
and his philanthropic initiatives

Born in Igbere, Abia State to Pa Anyim, he was christened Ekeoma, a name with different connotations. The Igbo name can refer to something good, extraordinary, fruitful or wealthy. While he was not born with a silver spoon, his name would later speak to his enduring and very impressive resources.

The business tycoon who many know today as Ekeoma Eme Ekeoma didn’t have a rosy upbringing. At 19, Ekeoma arrived in Lagos with a bag of dreams alongside his Uncle. Two months later, he started his career.
Ekeoma still cherishes the beautiful memory of Lagos back in the 80s. As he spoke, you can see the glitter in his eyes as if he was transported to the past.

Even though computer literacy was not widespread yet, Ekeoma disclosed that Lagos was still the commercial nerve. Back then, securing a job as an SSCE holder was easier than it is today with a first degree. The economy was good and the exchange rate was stable.

With corporate corporations like Dumez Nigeria Ltd, Michelin, Berliet, and SGen Ltd, dotting every available space, Broad street was a commercial hub. There was also UAC. Behind Mandilas building were a lot of fashion stores where one could get a variety of Italian fashion items from the Europeans. This was where Ekeoma usually shopped for his footwear.

“I remember getting a pair of Italian shoes for N62 in 1985. It is so unlike now when the Asian Tigers have taken over that space and the country at large,’’ Ekeoma said with nostalgia.

Born and raised in the north, in Zango-Kataf, Zonkwa Local Government Area in present-day Kaduna State, Ekeoma brought his whole family back to the east. His mother was a trader, while his father was a civil servant father who spent most of his time in service working in the north. He worked for the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited NITEL. After the civil war, the rest of his family stayed back in the east except his father who had to go and resume work again in the north.

Young Ekeoma had to stay under the tutelage of his uncle who taught him basic life principles. Unfortunately, his uncle died at 73. His father later passed, leaving his mother, now an octogenarian and very much alive.
Like most children born and raised in the north, Ekeoma can manage a conversation and communicate in Hausa fairly well.

While talking about his wife whom he thinks is more entrepreneurial than he is, he smiled, grateful for their journey together so far.
“I am risk-averse and more regimented,” he said while reflecting on the 32-year old marriage.
“It’s just the grace of God. Marriage is a work in progress. Grace, maturity, emotional stability, my Christian values, and most importantly, the finger of God has kept my marriage going. When Christ arrested me at 31, that helped to shape my life and stabilise my marriage. Although it took a while, I went through the process.”

His wife, Ngozi, is very supportive, and according to him, she is not a mistake.
“She is beautiful inside-out, and beautiful at heart. We have been together for almost 32 years, and I am only trusting God for a better tomorrow in our relationship. People must also accept the challenges that come with it. A relationship may look rough at the beginning but at the end, it’ll turn out good.’’
Interestingly, Ekeoma pointed out that none of his uncles has had a divorce case, alluding to the great value placed on marital stability and the sanctity of marriage by his family members.

Coming of age and striking 61 feels great for this business mogul, grandfather and grandfather. But in 2020, he faced the challenge of being infected with Covid-19. Today, he feels indebted to his maker for his clean bill of health. Looking back on his Covid-19 experience, he has had firsthand experience of all the associated discomforts that come from the illness. To him, having the virus was like the hand of God pointing him to the obvious: Coronavirus does not discriminate.

It birthed the consciousness of living in him. His health took the fore. Exercises have been incorporated into his day. Healthy meals, routine checks, and other paraphernalia to keep his health in tandem with his mind are in full swing.

’’To be alive in great health is the best type of wealth we can truly desire aside from the knowledge of Christ. Now, I take my exercise seriously compared to what it was before. After the pandemic, I ran loads of tests. Before then, I was sparingly doing my exercises. But today, it has become part of my daily routine. The only times I rest are on weekends and when I have speaking engagements. I have also become extremely sensitive to the things of the spirit. No matter how long you may think you’ve enjoyed living, this life is too short. And so, for the time we are here, one must strive to stay physically and spiritually healthy in order to make an impact,” he said.

Being a father to his beautiful Ezinne, Alex, Ifeoma, and Daniel leave his heart arching with joy. Through Ezinne, he has become a grandfather to three boys, and he looks forward to many more of the grandchildren through his boys in no distant future.

Away from family, Ekeoma is heavily invested in the business and spreading the gospel and general ministry works. His passion for pushing the truth into open and fallow spaces of falsehood is the fuel driving him to do all he can to make sure the gospel reaches the end of the world. His business is in the hands of professionals and that frees him time to chase after things of God wholeheartedly. This is the sphere through which he is making an impact.

“Man is born for an impact, and I am strongly convinced that there can be no impact to make than to navigate on the part of spirituality. The spiritual takes precedence over the mundane things. You must have a spiritual start to gauge and determine events that take in your day-to-day living. Considering the fact that I have been created to make an impact in the world, my interests, passion, and everything I do have become geared towards the things of God,” he added.
In his view, ministry work is a herculean task; not for the faint-hearted. It’s far more demanding than the glamour that many see on the outside.

“I have a lot of regard for some of the ministers in the country. It’s not a joke having such a large congregation of followers. I wonder how some of them are even able to take a break. The work of the ministry is quite tedious. And it is highly sacrificial. Sometimes we look at the allure of the job without taking time to appreciate the many spiritual battles they fight to sustain the ministry. I can tell you that there are committed people who have given their all because it is extremely tasking. The ministry calls for accountability and transparency. And we are all accountable to God, irrespective of ministry and calling,” he mused.

Believers Fellowship is a non-denominational fellowship that he presides over with attendees from Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki. Folks from the mainland are also inclusive.
Ekeoma has a balanced view of money; giving life to the popular Yoruba adage that says ‘a giver’s hand is always atop.’

“There is a hand that gives freely and that person who gives freely opens up himself to more wealth. The one that is tight-fisted will soon come to poverty. There is no way you can invest in your fellow human or the body of Christ, and God will not expand your coast. A lot of people who are buried in wealth creation live a life of complete imbalance. A lot of people are slaves to money. Some lack quality time with their families all in the quest to acquire wealth.

“Money may guarantee the luxuries of life, but it does not guarantee happiness and joy. No doubt, we need money to live comfortably, but it’s just a means to an end. So, wealth without contentment in poverty. I say so because you will never know when to apply the brakes. There are things in life that are more important than money. It’s good to work hard because if you don’t, you cannot take care of many gaps. We must, however, strike the right balance at all times.”

Ekeoma may not be the richest Nigerian on earth but he is incredibly generous to good causes. He reaches out to various prisons and less-privileged communities in the hinterlands of some Southwestern and Southeastern Nigerian states. One passion Ekeoma has invested in is the prison ministry, but unfortunately, the horrendous state of the roads has made it impossible to access most of these prisons, especially the maximum-security prisons. Compassion and empathy filled his voice as he talked about issues of welfare, health, and more importantly, legal access.

“About this time three years ago on my birthday, we were able to secure the release of about 300 prisoners. The Lord laid it on my heart and I took heed to His instruction. That someone has gone to prison is not the end of life,” he said.

Going back to his age and how he feels, he was quick to dismiss feeling old. Rather he pointed at biblical Moses who at 120 years showed no sign of aging.
“Even as I speak with you, I don’t think about age. My life is powered by grace and I have that peace that surpasses all human understanding. Inwardly, I still feel the same way I felt when I was 50, eleven years ago.”

Ekeoma believes there’s still a lot left undone. He believes as long as there’s still a lost soul out there, his impact is yet undone.
“When I look around and see the hardship and sufferings of Nigerians, what matters to me most is to make an impact. What matters to me is that our country should become a better country. The good of this nation comes first. God has been so good. I’m grateful for good health, a good family, a loving and hardworking wife. There is nothing to ask for than for Him to grant me the grace to do the job. He has asked me to do it – and that, for me, matters most.”

At 61, Ekeoma looks younger and agile.
One secret that keeps him going is contentment, not keeping grudges and he returns hate with unconditional forgiveness. Ekeoma has also drawn inspiration from Martin Luther King (Jnr), Cathryn Coleman, and the legend, Nelson Mandela. He unwinds with a sit-down to a good healthy conversation over a cup of tea or coffee and exercises help to unknot his nerves.

As one who is very optimistic about Nigeria, he expressed his confidence in the future of the country.
“There are loads of challenges enough to make us afraid and rethink our optimism, especially with the levels of banditry and kidnapping. Whoever wants to continue on the path of wickedness will get the reward. They will definitely quit the stage, either by age, sickness, or when life expires. We cannot continue this way. Nigeria is for God. There’s a lot of hope for this country.”