As the former boss of Nigerian Breweries and now the chairman of National Population Commission turns 60, Athan Agbakwuru chronicles the journey of a man who came, saw and conquered.
Birth is a special gift from God. It is a vital event that admits the new born baby into the citizenship of the world and nations. Beyond the rituals of naming ceremonies, the birth of the child deserves a permanent documentation for the long life benefits of the child. Registration of birth gives the child the special identity that confirms not only the citizenship of the nation but will also be required for entry into schools, obtaining of visas and passport. In this modern world, the birth certificate is an indispensable citizen guide for a fulfilling living.
In fulfillment of the presidential mandate for complete coverage of registration of vital events by 2015, the present leadership of the National Population Commission(NPC) under the chairmanship of Eze Festus Odimegwu is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that all births in Nigeria are registered and certificates issued free of charge. Spirited efforts are being made to make registration centers accessible to all Nigerians. In addition, the present Commission is working towards the direct data capture of birth and death registration. This innovative step would make it possible for data on vital registration to be available online and facilitate smooth re-issuance or replacement of certificates in case of loss.
Today, this illustrious son of Nigeria, who has been variously described as rare breed, frontline manager, successful entrepreneur, nation builder, author, strategic planner, administrator and philanthropist, is 60 years old. The auspicious occasion of his birthday provides the Commission with the opportunity to recall with pride its giant stride in giving birth registration in Nigeria a new lease of life. The visionary leadership provided by the chairman has indeed been of tremendous assistance in this bold drive.
Eze Odimegwu holds a first class degree in Chemistry from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a Masters-of-Science (M.Sc) in Brewing Technology from Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. In the course of his career he attended the Graduate School of Business, Wharton, Unilever Four Acre Training Centre, HTS Training centre at Zoeterwoude, London Business School and Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
He was at various times Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries PLC( 1997-2006) Marketing Director, Lever Brothers Ghana, 1995-1997, Food Coordination AMEG Unilever London 1993-1995, Sales Director, 1992-1993, Brewery/Senior Technical Manager, 1989-1992, MSc Heriot Watt University Edinburgh 1988-1989, Production Manager, 1987-1988, Technological Controller, 1985-1987, Brewer I/c Brewing, 1984-1985, Shift Brewer i/c Bottling, 1982-1984, Shift Assistant Brewer in Training April-July 1982, Trainee Brewer 1980-1982 respectively.
Currently leading the execution of the Strategic Architecture and Operating Plans of NpopC covering Cartographic, Demographic, Vital Registration including migration, ICT, Specialised Surveys and Census, Demographic and Biometric Population Register Experts and Population Quality Improvement based Population Policy Advocacy Teams within an extended 14 Standing Committees of 5 Strategic Managements Teams (Technical Management Team, PQI management Team, Evidence based Management Team, funding Management Team and Institutional Capacity building Management Team) of the National Population Commission for the development of the Centralised Demographic Database and Population Register, NpopC Enterprise Architecture for plug and play by all data users for evidence based planning for our population quality improvement, enhanced security, accelerated national development and global competitiveness.
A seasoned administrator and professional manager, Odimegwu has over 28 years varied experience spanning across manufacturing and banking and Finance sectors of the economy. He is the chairman of FS Group of Companies and Quintessentially Nigeria Ltd. He is also Director in Union Bank PLC and Dangote Group of Companies. Eze Odimegwu was the foremost MD/CEO of the Nigerian Breweries PLC, under whose leadership the company’s stocks became the most capitalised in the Nigerian Stock Market.
Here is a man whose life is a hallmark of sterling qualities, excellent record of service, credibility and patriotism to both humanity and nation. Indeed, in good and difficult times, in youth and age, the celebrant has remained a patriot. His life has been and remains a source of inspiration to many people including the youths; many of whom have benefited from his milk of human kindness by way of educational scholarship, provision of portable water to several communities, donations to innumerable orphanages, medical support and other selfless services. Indeed, many widows and other less-privileged persons proudly raise their heads high and walk tall on the streets knowing that they have a worthy benefactor in the person of our Odimegwu. To his associates, colleagues, family and relations, Eze Odimegwu means so many things – reliable friend, business partner, charming and handsome young man, caring brother, guardian and counselor, grass-root mobiliser, community leader and above all a honest man.
A devout Christian and community leader, Odimegwu has held various key posts both in the church and the community. As a Christian father, he has the reputation of molding his children in the Christian way of life. He abhors wickedness, inhuman treatment, ostentatious lifestyle and criminality in all ramifications. He is able to do all these because he has a supportive wife who provides him care, advice, comfort and solace in times of difficulty. To the children, Daddy is a moralist, teacher, and adviser. He encourages his children to imbibe the tenets of Christian living, and never supported immorality, corruption and indecent dressing. His children describe him as nice, kind, loving and jovial.
At any point in time his esteemed presence graced a public arena, Odimegwu did not hesitate to disseminate, with unusual candour and simplicity, his invaluable tutorials for grassroots leadership, moral living and community development. As a panacea for positive transformation of self and society, he insists on the need for well-rounded development that comprises the following: total education, the maximal use of one’s intellectual capabilities and physical endowment, volunteerism, self employment, as well as the cultivation of a personal resolve to solve problems.
As this illustrious son of Nigeria marks another year on earth, the legacy he so faithfully espoused and lives by ought to be a lesson for many Nigerians of means. His lesson is this: in the face of corruption and underdevelopment, genuine leadership emerges when one steps out of the anonymity and apathy of one’s closet to advance the cause of his immediate environment through uncommon sacrifice
Eze Festus Odimegwu, in recognition of his selfless dedication to service, loyalty to duty, patriotism and exceptional abilities was conferred with the Commander Order of the Niger (CON). A multi talented front liner, Eze Festus Boniface Odimegwu is the new chairman, National Population Commission.
As you clock three scores on earth, your contributions towards giving the Nigerian Child an indisputable identity is indeed a classical example of giving back to the society, an attribute that has defined your public and private lives. The National Population Commission is indeed grateful for the tenacity of purpose and rare courage to make a positive difference which you have displayed in running its affairs. Nigerians and indeed all lovers of progress and growth wish you many happy returns and long life in the service of our dear nation.