Written by Azuka Jebose Molokwu
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| Sir. Emmanuel Nwude |
In these interesting times of his life, Sir Emmanuel Nwobu Nwude lives a life of action and vibrancy. Even as an octogenarian, he is dashing from continent to continent, visiting his children and grand children scattered across European and American continents. He does so effortlessly. At 83, Sir Nwude is an astute esquire, eloquent in your presence and leaves you breathless with years of life's teachings. Sir Nwude is wise, prudent and a sensual essence of life, an impeccable dapper dresser.
"Jebose, you don't let age slow you down, especially when you have a loving wife and wonderful children and grandchildren. At my age, I thank God for the vibrancy, the vitality and this life of action. I can't slow down."
Sir Nwude evolved from a sassy harsh economic climate of pre-independent Nigeria. He survived the trenches; rose from a shop boy of the SCOA Nigeria PLC in 1950, to become, years later, the Chief Executive Officer, favoured with wealth, power and privileges within the ruling oligarchy then.
In 1926, the French-based company, SCOA debut in Nigeria's emerging colonial economy with business activities and investment opportunities covering most Nigerian lifestyles and new consumer demands. The company quickly transformed the transportation and mass transit businesses in Nigeria with its famous Peugeot vehicle models. By the end of the civil war, this company had positioned its automobile division as "one of the leading automobile companies in Nigeria specialising in the distribution and service of a wide range of passenger cars, trucks, buses and trailers."
The rise and rise of Sir Nwude in this company was fast paced, anchored by transfers through the Northern hemisphere of the country where it was making inroads.
"I was moved around, all over the North until the civil war started. Towards the end of 1966, Lt. Col Odumegwu Ojukwu made a broadcast that there was no basis for continued Nigeria's unity since the Igbo nation was being marginalised by the then Federal Government of Nigeria. He thus deliberately declared a secession and urged all Igbo in the North to head back East. Many Southerners and Igbo heeded the call. I was in Jos office, in charge of the Trading Department of the company. I wanted to leave but had no relief. There was an exodus in North of non indigenes to their various towns and villages. War was approaching. The nation was no longer at ease. Chaos and mayhem were imminent. Things were falling fast apart as we lived in fear and conspiracy theories of the war."
Few weeks after waiting for relief, Sir Nwude resigned his appointment, handed over the responsibilities of the company to another senior manager, then fled to his hometown in Awka, Anambra State, where he remained until the end of the civil war.
"In 1970, soon after the war, I received a letter from my employers that I must resume work immediately in Lagos. Biafra currency was still in circulation in Eastern Nigeria where it was legal tender, but outside the East, the money was illegal. That was all I had when SCOA came calling for me to return immediately to work. Through the help of some merchants and traders, I raised funds and proceeded to Lagos to resume. The management quickly rehabilitated me and I was posted to a subsidiary of the company as manager of one of its departments."
He continued to shine with his new position, travelling all over the country, opening new branches as the company expanded its business outreach. Few years later, the Federal Government, as part of its economic empowerment to Nigerians, initiated a policy of indigenisation which allowed Nigerian indigenes to own major stakes and shares in corporate businesses and also empower Nigerians to become more integrated into mega companies as executives and senior management levels. Sir Nwude became one of the beneficiaries of the new indigenisation policy.
"A subsidiary of SCOA, UCODIS Nigeria Limited was affected by this new government policy. So, the company was sold to three which included me. I became the Managing Director and CEO."
His new position connected him to the corridors of power. He was able to move with the new military leaders, basking in wealth, power and privileges. He was among the elite business class that ran the economy of dear native land Nigeria.
"In my time, life was much better than what we are seeing and feeling today. There was a good sense of contentment and satisfaction then, but today, our politicians seem not contented, no matter what you give them. Give them Nigeria, they are still not contented. These lifestyles of our politicians can't help us live decently as one people. Jebose, contentment is essential to life, good living and caring for the rest of the citizens of this great nation. We are yet to see a leader with focus, foresight and vision. We need leaders that would consider the lives of our unemployed graduate youths and the lives of the elderly. But the infrastructure is not there, yet these leaders buy personal and or private luxuries with the country's money. "I have no regrets being a Nigerian. My regrets are related to bad leadership and governance. I worked and retired well. I can live in Nigeria and have my three meals daily without help from the government. Early 1970 after the war and indigenisation policy, my annual salary after tax was N48, 000 00. The tax that I paid to government was more than the salary of a permanent secretary then. At that time, my family could not finish up to N1000 a month. Naira was at par with the British pound. The naira was very strong compared to all major currencies in the world. Our leaders did not follow the right path of independence. Those that the expatriates handed over the major economic mechanisms and nucleus of this nation deviated from the work culture. The engineers stopped doing field works and only remained in their offices. Things started getting worse. This happened in nearly all offices. Productions failed. "Jebose, I think the British should have remained longer in Nigeria after independence. Our work culture changed soon after the colonialists left. Work culture became nepotism, not by qualification. Those left in charge of major industries started employing their relations when vacancies existed, whether qualified for the post or not. Quality and excellence disappeared. And nobody gave a damn. Instead everybody followed the practice. That's the country we have today. That is why the government departments are not functioning well. See the way companies are progressing in US and other western economies? There is no nepotism, they select the best staff and treat them well. Didn't I tell you how I resigned from my job in Jos? The company didn't want to lose me. They sent two letters to my home address and Jos address; eager to re-hire me after the war. I was connected to some former presidents, governors and even vice presidents. I had opportunities to transit into government where I would have made money like my counterparts. I would then be known by everybody and even received honours like others. But that's not my conscience. My position gave me access to these rulers and top government officials. My wealth was through my determination, dedication and loyalty to my job until I retired."
His wealth enabled him to give best things in life to his six children. He sent them to best colleges in Europe and America. The children after their education settled to life outside Nigeria.
At 78, his children in United States encouraged him and his lovely wife of 54 years to relocate to America. Soon after they moved, Sir Nwude went through the legal process of documented aliens and years later, Mr. and Mrs. Nwude became citizens of United States. At near 83, he is entitled to various senior citizens' benefits from the US government.
"Jebose, I agreed to relocate late in life to be able to enjoy my grand children who are across two continents and also be privileged a decent aging lifestyle from an organised society. As an American citizen, I am entitled to several benefits. You should know about the Social Security benefits for seniors and handicapped. We have Medicaid and Medicare, covering all our medications, free transportation to doctors, hospitals, and shopping, and some cash paid to your account monthly. Free physical exercises and GAMES to keep fit. Here, this climate recognises, appreciates, respects and cares for its senior citizen population. Food stamps are available to those that wish for them. These are things you need from a decent country, especially after you had spent the best parts of your life in serving it and contributing to its economic development. But Nigeria doesn't have such infrastructure. I still have a home in Nigeria. I don't like the cold weather here. So in the cold, I travel to Nigeria and return here when it begins to get warmer.
"I decided to relocate to USA about 10 years ago, because I lost hope in Nigeria. Nigeria has no plans for the aged and its people. There is no country like Nigeria, blessed with abundant resources from God, with very good weather and climate, yet so corrupt and without basic necessities of life for its citizens."
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