…Empowers over 1000 with vehicles, tricycles, sew machines.
Emelam Udo, Umuahia.
“Be not afraid of greatness. some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them” (william shakespeare, in his book, twelfth night or what you will.
For Eze Linus Nto Mbah, the Traditional Ruler of Ata Igboukwu Autonomous Community, Umuzomgbo Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia state, a philanthropist, industrialist, farmer and Estate Manager and Developer, his rise from obscurity to fame was attained through dint of hard-work, sincerity, meekness, perseverance and of course God’s Grace upon his life.
The Abia Royal father said during his growing up years, he after dropping out from Secondary Education, went into various apprenticeship as the parents could not afford the fees to enable him continue his studies.
After the Biafra-Nigeria civil war, the young Nto, not satisfied with his plight in the village embarked on journey to Republic of Cameroon in search of greener pasture in a wooden canoe alongside other youths.
According to the Abia Royal father, on their way to Cameroon through sea, the wooden canoe which they boarded, encountered problems as ocean waves started tossing the canoe up and down
“In the ensuing encounter, I started praying to God that if He spared my life in the ocean, whatever I become in future will be used to serve Him and Humanity” he reminisced.
“This was the beginning of his covenant with God. God showed him mercy and other travellers as they got the shores of Cameroon in safety.
According him, while in the foreign land, life was not a bed of roses for him. He undertook trading apprenticeship with one of his uncles, Agwu Nweke Agwu, there who discovered his dexterity in the trade and commended his efforts in business.
“But the cordial relationship which existed between me and my uncle did not last long. When he found out that I got some contacts abroad for them to send me samples of their products, he asked me to leave Nigeria. But in no distant time, I found favour in the sight of God who linked me to many manufacturers in China, Hongkong, USA, Taiwan among others who started sending to me samples of their various products for me to market. That was the beginning of my breakthrough in the business world, I was sincere to them and all of them trusted me” said the Royal father.
Eze Mbah after he had been selected by people of his Autonomous Community was presented his staff of office by former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, 23 years ago.
But recently, he rolled out the drums to celebrate his 70th Birthday (Platinum) anniversary and 23 years on the throne as the Royal father of AtaIgboukwu Autonomous Community, Ihechiowa, Arochuwu Local Government Area, Abia state.
To spice up the double-edged celebration, at his home, various Gospel Artistes drawn from within and outside Abia state and comedians were on hand to thrill guests with their fine tunes while comedian equally entertained them with rib-breaking jokes.
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglet it, for I shall not pass this way again” (Stephen Grellect—1773—1855)
The above quote by Grellect synchronizes with what the Abia Royal father did while celebrating his 70th Birthday and 23 years on the throne recently at his country home.
To mark the anniversary proper, as it has been his usual practice, he used the forum to empower over 2000 persons, including the indigent and less-privileged persons in the society with mini-buses, Tricycles (Keke Napep), motorcycles, block molding machines, sewing machines, wrappers, food stuffs,(yams, Rice, salt) condiments, stock-fish and cash among others.
The Eze Udo of Ataigboukwu recalled that during his turbulent days in life, he made a covenant with God that if He made him rich, he would use the resources to assist in the building and propagation of his Kingdom as well as impact on humanity.
Many people from Ihechiowa, his country home, neighbouring communities and beyond have been benefitting from the milk of Eze Mbah’s benevolence for more than a decade.
During the COVID-10 Pandemic era which kept the entire world on its toes, the Traditional Ruler was on hand to share palliatives to over 50,000 persons as well as giving them cash.
Among the beneficiaries of the largesse of his 70th Birthday and 23 years on the throne included selected persons from all the 17 villages in Ihechiowa, four other clans that make up Arochukwu LocalGovernment Area which include Arochukwu, Ututu, Abam and Isu.
Others included: Neighbouring communities of Cross River and Akwa- Ibom states.
In further keeping with his covenant with God to always impact on humanity and assist in the propagation of the Gospel of the Kingdom, Eze Mbah has equally built and donated an ultra-modern Town Hall Complex to his Ataigboukwu Development Union, Ihechiowa, Aba branch engages in community services every year, grading of Roads in the Community, provision of potable water and electricity.
Also built are: Mater Misericodiae, Catholic Church in Umuzomgbo, the Presbytery and Grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Hall also in Umuzomgbo.
Others are: complete renovation of the Apostolic Church, Roofing of the Presbyterian Church, Umuzomgbo Paris, ICT centre, Ihechiowa Police Station and building of St Mark’s Catholic Church, Uburu Ihechiowa among others.
Over 200 persons are equally enjoy tertiary institution scholarships courtesy of the Abia Royal father.
During the celebration, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state congratulated Eze Mbah for double celebration. He described the Royal father as a businessman of repute, a philanthropist, farmer and community leader who has always gone out of his way to make life easier for the next person.
Ude Oko Chukwu, his deputy in his own goodwill message joined members of the Eze Udo family to thank and glorify God for His love, Mercy and Goodness unto his Royal Highness for these 70 years of life of selfless service, sound leadership and genuine commitment to the course of not only Ata-Igboukwu Autonomous community but also Ihechiowa, Arochukwu LGA and Abia state in general.
He prayed to grant the Royal father, strong and good health and many more years of exemplary leadership and statesmanship for common good of all and sundry.
Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia state and the Senator representing Abia North at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly in his message said “Your Diamond age and 23years in the throne is a double celebration to acknowledge the goodness of God in your in your life. I pray that the Almighty God will continue to grant you good health even as he guides and prospers you with many more years of fulfilling reign on the throne ahead”
On his own part, Theodore A Orji, Senator representing Abia Central at NASS said it was certainly the Lord’s doing noting that as captured in hymnal, count your blessings, name them one by one, it would definitely surprise you what the Lord has done.
Orji urged the Abia Royal father to keep reigning with truth, the fear of God and fair-play, avoid any scorn and regrets as has been his mantra.
Eze Mba used the forum to launch his autobiography entitled “Quintessntial Monarch—Autobiography of a Living Legend.
The 167 page compendium chronicles his travails from grass to Grace and the a Monarch of his Autonomous Community.
His stories stem from humble beginning to fame are recorded in the autobiography which he noted would honoured if people would draw inspiration from his life and change the land-space of their lives, noting that all things are possible to him that believes.
In the Forward of his autobiography Eze Mbah gave two reasons for his book.
One, to debunk the erroneous belief or superstition that no one can succeed in this life without bowing down to the devil through engaging in blood rituals or belonging to a secret cult.
“This makes many ascribe the Praise that is due to the Almighty God to Satan and devil” he said.
That his life experience and testimony have proven that hard work, courage, integrity and trust in God give him better success and,
Second reason, is that he wants to leave a legacy and shinning testimony for prosperity to know that anyone can surmount daunting challenges in life and thrive noting that there is no obstacle too great and no mountain too high that a man of faith and courage cannot conquer.
Mba chronicled his story from birth in 1952 which he disclosed that his parents and indeed the entire family so much celebrated his arrival with jubilation and feasting and was named Okechukwu Nto Mbah (God’s gift)
He disclosed in his book that his arrival was a divine consolation to his parents who lost their first issue.
He reminisced his experience as a brilliant child but finance was the major constraint as he later engaged in Truck pushing which only fetched paltry amount while staying in Aba.
The Royal father narrated how went back to his village at the outbreak the Nigeria-Biafra civil and while in the he engaged in menial jobs ranging from going into the bush to fetch snails to going to the village stream to catch fishes.
He disclosed that the Biafra Army conscripted him and other young boys during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war and were taken to the barracks at Otulu Ohafia that is presently housing the 14 Brigade of Nigeria Army.
“At the end of the war, I travelled to Cameroon through Calabar to Lobe in Western Cameroon through the Atlantic Ocean for seven days”he revealed.
In the autobiography, Eze Mbah told of his pathetic story how his uncle, Nweke Agwu Nweke, who he kept records of his sales sacked him despite glaring and faithfulness in handling of the company, on discovering that he had made contacts from Europe and America for their products and samples.
He disclosed that his breakthrough in business came in 1974 when he received samples from Taiwan and too them to one of his friends, Innocent Odo from Anambra who was apprentice trader for one Iloduba who showed the samples to his master and amazingly he liked the samples and subsequently of them.
“That was how eventually I entered into business deal in which I will supply jewelries to Mr Iloduba each time I received my order from overseas” enthused Mbah.
By the Grace of God, I can boldly say that I did not borrow money from anybody to establish my business and neither was I sponsored in my growth in business. I always maintain good relationship with everyone involved in corporate business with me. I like transparency, accountability and integrity so that people usually rush to bring deals for either importation or exportation” he noted
“The Abia Royal father, who is also a papal night and Knight of St Mulumba, Catholic Church, disclosed in his book that when his Company became enlarged in stakes of business, he started importing 404 and 505 saloon and station wagon Peugeot cars.
As my business grew, I became more devout in my faith, I joined the Catholic Church in Duala and served God with utmost sincerity.
In fact, growth in my business did not in any way diminish my devotion, instead my love for God grew deeper.
In 1975, God blessed me the establishment my own Company, Pin Lin Intercontinental Agencies in Duala.
The circle of poverty had been broken and I now have great pleasure to serve God and Humanity” said the Royal father.
In keeping with the philosophy of John Bunyan (1628-1688) Pilgrims Progress which says “He who bestows his good upon the poor shall have much gain and ten times more” Eze Mbah decided in 2017 decided to tae one of his numerous businesses, Linto Farms Limited to his country home, Ihechiowa in Arochuwu Local Government Area of Abia state covering over 100 hectares of land.
He hinted that he embarked on such project in order to create employment for his people in the rural community.
The Royal father disclosed that in 1979, he bought lands in Aba and built houses bearing in mind to relocate his business to Nigeria because foreign land is always foreign adding the government of Cameroon did not appreciate all his exploits there.
In his word ”And in190, I opened a branch of his company called Linto Nigeria Limited which later made me realize that my relocation to Aba gave me more impetus and breakthroughs in my business.
