I read, in the morning, with an open mind, the above piece by my brother, Nze Tobe Osigwe. Given the outcome of the APGA primary election ahead of the August 2026 LGA elections in Anambra State and Tobe’s sentiments, his position might not come as a surprise. In any case, I read his piece on its merit. In the essay, Nze Tobe narrated how, by providence, young Cletus Ibeto was adopted into the Nnewi stakeholders in the 1980s by the instrumentality of Chief Augustine Ilodibe of Ekenedilichukwu Transport fame, when he (Ibeto) was sent to represent him (Chief Ilodibe) at a meeting fixed to resolve the raging dispute then threatening to divide Nnewi. Ibeto’s attendance at the said meeting was noteworthy considering that men like Dr. Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor-Orizu, Chief Leonard Nsoedo, Dr. BUC Aghazu, Chief Barrister B C Nwosu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Senator Onyeabor Obi, Professor Obienu, and a few others were in the meeting. However, it must be noted that at the time, Chief Cletus Ibeto himself had already become a force in business and industry in Nnewi and beyond. He was not a member of the generation of those stakeholders, but he had made a name for himself as a rising star in the business world at the time. Nze Tobe, in his submission, created a picture that suggests that the young Cletus Ibeto was merely sent to represent Chief Ilodibe for no clear reason. However, Ibeto’s involvement in that meeting was a classical case of nwata kwocha aka, osolu ogalanya likoo. I suspect that this point has to be made to provide clarity as to how Ibeto, out of the countless young men in his time, was chosen by Chief Ilodibe to represent him.
The other important point that must be observed is that the young Cletus Ibeto was well-known to Chief Augustine Ilodibe. I am not able to explain how, but the point is that one in a privileged position of wealth or power can only work with those known to him. This applies to Chief Cletus Ibeto today. Omekannaya can only work with those known to him, as he cannot manufacture people. Omekannaya or any other person of influence cannot go to people’s houses seeking the most brilliant people who would associate with him. Association is purely by choice. Therefore, no person in a place of power should be blamed for their associates. Tobe, even you can become Omekannaya’s associate if you choose to. But if the young Cletus Ibeto was not an associate of Chief Ilodibe, he would not have been appointed to be at that meeting. The lesson for us today is that young, brilliant individuals must learn to be strategic and cultivate valuable relationships, instead of being combative and burning bridges.
As a very keen observer of Nnewi affairs for many years now, I can say that for some reason, Omekannaya has continued to be mentioned at every turn. Sometimes, he is blamed for something that has nothing to do with him. But Chief Cletus Ibeto is not the only Nnewi wealthy man. We have Chief Chika Okafor of Chikason Group, Dr. Cosmos Maduka of Coscharis Group, and many more who are Omekannaya’s contemporaries. Please, where are they in the affairs of Nnewi? It therefore stands to reason that Omekannaya’s relevance in Nnewi affairs since the 1980s is not because he is wealthy. But because he is genuinely interested in Nnewi and always ready to invest heavily in projects that move the town forward. Yet, Omekannaya, who often shows interest and invests his money in Nnewi, is the one often challenged or dragged by young men for reasons that cannot be justified. Nze Tobe, my brother, if you were in Omekannaya’s shoes, would you recommend a young, brilliant man who insults you to a position, or support him to win an election because he is brilliant? Therefore, we can agree that brilliance and character must go together. I doubt that anyone would be interested in elevating a rascal, even if the rascal was brighter than others. This is why every university degree is predicated on learning and character. Posturing matters. Character matters.
Tobe, my brother, you said that the old Nnewi stakeholders “love to make wide consultations within Nnewi before they make any decision.” Today, which Nnewi stakeholder of Omekannaya’s set and pedigree is interested in Nnewi affairs? But I know exactly what you were referring to. Let me quickly address that. Hon. Echezona’s emergence as the choice of APGA two years ago was determined at Chief Innocent Chukwuma’s house in Umudim. Omekannaya had no hand in it. During politicking, Echezona worked hard and was chosen by the leadership of the Umudim quarter. In fact, Omekannaya barely knew Hon. Echezona at the time. The other point you were trying to make is that the adoption of a 4-year term for the office of Nnewi North Local Government Chairman was solely imposed by Omekannaya. This, my brother, is false. Yes, Omekannaya was unequivocal about his support for Hon. Echezona Anazodo. He made this known during interviews. His reasons? He insists that Echezona is doing well and that no former local government chairman in Nnewi has shown leadership comparable to what Hon. Echezona Anazodo has done. In fact, on one occasion during the commissioning of a water channel constructed by Hon. Echezona to control flood in Odida Nnewichi, Omekannaya said that he was willing to support Echezona with any amount of his personal money because he had demonstrated leadership and that his support is total. There is nothing wrong with Omekannaya supporting the best-performing LGA Chairman in Nnewi’s history. In truth, that is what he should do as a stakeholder interested in Nnewi’s progress.
The decision for Echezona to return for another two years was made by the leadership of Nnewi four quarters at the Igwe Nnewi’s Palace and in the midst of other stakeholders drawn from all four quarters of Nnewi, during a meeting organized by the Board of Trustees of Nzukora Nnewi. Omekannaya himself was not in the meeting. In that meeting, documents were signed by all quarters, except Nnewichi, whose PG, understandably, was running for the chairmanship. Do you expect the signed document for an extra two years to the Mayor not to be honoured?
Speaking on the Nnewi Agenda, it was Omekannaya who, in 2019, resurrected the Nnewi Agenda to advance support for our brother, the Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Omekannaya’s support gave life to the YPP, and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah used the party to ascend to the Nigerian Senate. As you mentioned, those you considered less or unfit for public offices who were helped by Omekannaya to rise to office, remember also those whom he helped to rise in business, industry, public service, and more, who are shining stars. Unfortunately, I will not be able to mention further names except those concerned who wish to be mentioned. But we know many of them. You, my brother, know them.
Today in Nnewi, Omekannaya is the only man with signature projects and support across all corners of Nnewi. He is the only individual among his contemporaries who has an interest in the affairs of Nnewi and is always willing to commit huge personal funds and time every single time. No one else does that. Absolutely no one else.
Omekannaya is not just a wealthy businessman from Nnewi. He is now an elder statesman whose impact cut across diverse parts of Nigeria and beyond. Even if there are a few errors in his judgment of some people’s character, it is only human, and he cannot take responsibility for other people’s bad behavior. But no leader can accept elevating brilliant people who are rascally. It is only someone like Omekannaya who can endure the public insults and shame thrown at him carelessly by some youths in Nnewi. If he were actually doing okika, none of them would be walking free today because he has the means to keep them behind bars. A man who is accessible like Omekannaya, why would anyone who has an issue with him not make a good effort to meet him in his Nnewi home one weekend and discuss with him?
I hereby submit that history will be kind to Omekannaya for not walking away from Nnewi since that meeting in the 80s. He could have simply walked away and tucked himself in the comfort of his vast wealth. But he is always back in Nnewi every weekend. He is always interested in Nnewi affairs and supports its progress. Omekannaya is truly a blessed man and a blessing to Nnewi. If there are a few omissions or a few errors, it should be taken as a part of human frailty and not as an unfavourable verdict on his years of devoted service to Nnewi and humanity at large, out of love and personal commitment to the public good. Yes, history will be kind to Chief Cletus Ibeto.
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