Why I Turned Down Prince Arthur
OpenLife Nigeria reports that today is Prince Arthur Eze’s 73 birthday.
He is a Nigerian oil mogul, philanthropist, politician, and the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, the largest privately held Nigerian exploration and production group. The Igbos call him, ‘ozoigbondu’ of Igboland and he is said to be the 8th wealthiest man in Africa.
Born on the 27th of November 1948 in Ukpo village, Dunukofia Local Government Anambra State, Nigeria, he attended St. Augustin Secondary School in Nkwere, Imo State in 1970. After his secondary education, he then went to California State University, Long Beach, California to study mechanical and chemical engineering from 1974 to 1978.
As would be expected, the high and mighty gathered at this residence to felicitate with him. Among them was the former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka. In a personal narrative, he recalled how he met the high chief in 1996 at Hilton Hotel, Abuja and turned down his N2k gift.
His narrative is presented below
I spent this afternoon with Prince Engr Arthur Eze, who turned 73 today. The Primate of All Nigeria, Metropolitan Bishop of Abuja, and the Bishop of Gwagwalada joined us in a surprise birthday gathering. Senator Pius Anyim and the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations were part of the early callers to wish him well.
In 1996, I joined FCDA and was posted to the Protocol Unit working under Sir Peter Aliu, the FCT Chief of Protocol. In that role, I was working in General Jeremiah Useni’s office, the mighty and influential Minister of FCT. I grew quickly in that role because I volunteered to the Chief Press Secretary to write speeches for the Minister. The role of speechwriter gave me more access. Lesson: always make yourself useful beyond your day job.
One day, a friend of mine who was a Press Assistant to a Minister asked me to accompany him to visit Prince Arthur Eze at Hilton. I happily agreed. Then Eze Ukpo, as we fondly call him, was larger than life. Owner of Triax Airline and close friend of Abacha. Stories had it that he nominated Military Governors then and was the clearing house of all appointments from the East. I confirmed that when I became close to him. I digress.
As we approached Hilton Lobby on our way to his Presidential suite, I met a friend of mine called Metta, a property agent and active hustler. He made his bones selling properties for wealthy clients. Metta asked me,” where are you marching to in suit?” I told him I was coming from the office to see Prince Arthur Eze. He pulled me aside quickly, away from my friend, and told me, “If Arthur gives you money, don’t take. Tell him you came to greet him and not for money. I know you are a poor civil servant, but if you take the money, he will count you as one of the boys visiting for handouts, and when next you come, they will treat you as such. Don’t collect inugo?” Metta said. I nodded in agreement.
We went up to Prince Arthur’s suite. After introduction and pleasantries amongst other Villa boys present, Eze Ukpo asked his boy to give us 2k Naira each. For context, 2k in 1996 was above my Monthly salary of 1,300 Naira. My mind raced to Metta’s advice, and I thought of all the 2k could do for me. A new shoe? Buy a tokunbo fridge? As the man sharing the money got to me, I smiled and said no, thank you. He said, “No, take it’s for you from Eze Ukpo” I insisted on not taking while smiling. Arthur Eze looked up and said, “Nwoke b’anyi take and buy bread”. I said thank you, sir, but I only came to greet you and not for ‘giveaway’. I stood up, greeted him warmly and left.
When I got downstairs, I had only 20Naira in my pocket, so I had to walk to the gate instead of using ‘drop’, which was 30 Naira. Metta’s advice turned out to be the best advise I received in my adult life. On the day I was sworn in as Minister of Aviation I thanked Metta and prayed for him. In the course of our friendship Metta met his wife through me. Again I digress.
The next time I visited Prince Arthur, he welcomed me warmly and told me to join them in Enugu. We flew Triax to Enugu, and from that day till Triax stopped commercial operations, I flew Triax free of charge. I became a regular at Hilton, and we discussed politics and topical issues. He was fond of my contrarian viewpoints about the politics of the country at that time. I stayed away from his politics.
About four months after our first meeting, he sent for me one evening and told me that his nominee Chief Okete was appointed Minister of State Works and Housing and he would like me to become his Personal Assistant. I was shocked, and excited, but I hedged. Personal Assistant to a Minister was the dream Job of all Abuja young Men, but I had an issue. General Useni had just appointed me Secretary to the Committee for the Pope’s visit to Nigeria. It was a tremendous opportunity.
The committee had Military Governors, Ministers, Bishops and senior Government officials as members. The Director of Admin at the FCDA, a Northerner, made a case why he should be the Secretary instead of this level 08 officer barely one year in service. Gen Useni overruled him and insisted I remained the Secretary.
With this background, I asked Eze Ukpo if the minister could allow me complete my assignment at the Committee; he said: “why not?”. I accepted the offer and served Chief Okete as Personal Assistant at the age of 26.
My relationship with Arthur suffered its highs and lows, but he remained an ally and senior brother. At important junctions in my life, he played significant roles. I cemented his relationship with Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Mallam Nasir El Rufai when he was FCT Minister. On both counts, they helped at my behest.
That 2k giveaway that I refused gave birth to many opportunities, and I would tell the full story in my memoirs.
Today, I wish him happy birthday. I joined his choir to sing and dance with him as he is a deep lover of hymns. His choir was at my 50th birthday, a very memorable experience, in the harmonious blend of traditional and modern wind instruments.
Eze Ukpo happy birthday
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