CHIEF TONY EZENNA (KSS) & ORANGE UNIVERSITY, AKOKWA By Sixtus Chibueze Ezennaya

Chief Tony Ezenna, Ikenga of Akokwa, the Chairman Orange Drugs Limited is a man with a very large heart. He is not new to philanthropy neither is he a green horn as such in Nigerian Politics. He was not only a big sponsor and supporter, he has also been voted for though in the Governorship primaries. Where his name and versatility rings bell in a unique way, are in the importation, marketing and distribution of drugs and cosmetics. From his totality of appearance down to every of his actions, he is God’s special gift to any community, local government Area and State, he is privileged to have been “implanted into” by God.



This is one man who has placed Akokwa on the world map of traditional and cultural festivals. THE ORANGE DAY, 30th Day of December every year, is to every Akokwa indigene and neighbouring communities, a reunion or covenant day. Nigerian Breweries Plc among others benefit from this occasion due to sales turn over. Masquerades, cultural dances, lectures, merriments etc characterize this day at St Peter Field. In this carnival, it is not winner takes all or survival of the fittest competition otherwise it will turn into an arena for “juju superiority competition.” Rather, prizes are lavishly distributed to every participant with none as victor and vanquished. In fact, Ikenga Akokwa, a libro abierto, is a rare specie which is seldom found in our Nigerian communities.



In the thinking of John F. Kennedy of USA on January 20, 1960, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Chief Ezenna always thinks of what he can do to improve his community and immediate environment. Giving legitimacy and credence to the thought of this epitome of humility is a quotation from no less a personality than the Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. V. V. Ezeonyia C.S.Sp that “Life is all about usefulness; usefulness to yourself and your fellow human being.” Towards the end of December 2006, a Catholic Monastery built by this philanthropist of the first class order was handed over to the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha. To support this edifice, Chief Ezenna doled out a huge amount of money for the upkeep of God’s serene premises. When an old man clears his throat, the spirits listen. In the same way, when the world’s numero uno spiritual leader speaks, definitely God will turn and listen. The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI never lost sight of the gesture hence awarding Chief Tony Ezenna, a papal knighthood of St. Sylvester (KSS) in December 2008. What an honour par excellence.



Akokwa, by this singular project is now not only a spiritual pilgrimage centre in the class of Awhum in Enugu State, Ewu-Esan in Edo State etc but also a big centre in the pipeline. God please bless abundantly the icon, Chief Ezenna, so as to be more useful to humanity.

Another thing that is needed in Akokwa to help it attain the status of “Onusa Nta” (small Onitsha in Akokwa dialect), is a tertiary institution, which is the in-thing now for those in the calibre of Chief Tony Ezenna. Educational Institution is the biggest instrument of immortalization. Higher institution is the highest agent of development and employment.



Business empires may crumble, factories go into liquidation but higher institutions never go into moribund but continues ad infinitum. Think of the Songhai Academy in Timbuktu, Mali which has seen over five hundred centuries. It is even a great honour of special status that one is the President of a University. As a matter of fact, tertiary institution whether University, Polytechnic, College of Agriculture or Education, School of Health Technology, School of Nursing etc as a monument is a centre of excellence. Apart from Federal and State Governments, individuals, Churches or even consortium do establish tertiary institutions. Harvard University was established in 1634 to train Presbyterian Priests but today it is a conventional institution with over 27,000 students. Bigard Memorial Seminary started in 1924 by Bishop Joseph Shanaham. Igbinedion University is founded by Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin. Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Edeh C.S.Sp is the founder of Madonna and Caritas Universities besides OSISATECH, Tansian University Oba is a private institution founded by a consortium led by a Catholic Priest, Rev. Msgr John Bosco Akam,; Babcock, Renaissance and Veritas Universities are also privately owned.



The Federal Polytechnic Oko which started in 1978 as School of Arts and Science was built by Chief Alex Ifeancyichukwu Ekwueme and his community. Later Jim Nwobodo’s administration converted it into Anambra State Polytechnic before its take over by the Federal Government. Quite recently, it was reported that the renowned architect – Chief Ekwueme – applied for licence for a University. We pray that it is granted so that Oko becomes the first rural town east of the Niger to own a functional Polytechnic and University. The city of Barcelona, Spain has about eight Universities.



If all the Rochas Foundation Academies had been built at one place for instance in Ogboko (Rochas hometown), it would have become the first private university or polytechnic in Imo State. I think it is better to master one mountain than one thousand foothills. I believe also that it is better to be the widow of a hero than the wife of a coward. However, all hope is not yet lost. Can Orange University or Polytechnic Akokwa be one of the private tertiary institutions in the States, east of the Niger? Where the heart is willing, it will have a thousand ways but where it is unwilling, it will have thousand excuses.



As one needs not be a chorister to go to heaven where praises / singing, we are told, is the only language and service, one does not need to hear from Chief Tony Ezenna in order to know that it is a capital intensive venture. But, then, Chief Ezenna, “Orange” as he is fondly called, it is believed, has the financial muscles, tentacles of connections and wherewithal to realize this dream. If spider webs unite, they can tie an elephant is an Ethiopian proverb. True that times are hard but what is hard to bear will be sweet to remember.



Being a powerful civilian and statesman who thinks of the next generation and not merely a politician who thinks of the next election, it will be to the best of intentions if Chief Ezenna considers this positive suggestion and investment. It is appalling that United States of America has over 200,000 universities, India and Indonesia, 150,000; Gabon with a population of about 10 million has about 200 universities; while Nigeria of about 140 million has only 92 universities.



For admission into these 92 universities, about 10 million applications were received in 2009 / 2010, but about 1 million is given admission. Gabon uses her oil revenue for human development and empowerment, Nigeria uses hers for marrying more wives and procreation.



In the 2006 / 2007 academic year, over 20,000 applications sought for admission into the Federal University of Technology Owerri, out of which only 2000 was offered admission. The following year and this year received slightly upward difference. At Imo State University Owerri, the story was not different. With the elevation of College of Agriculture Umuagwo into Imo State Polytechnic, another milestone achievement is made. Since the number of school leavers continues to increase in geometric proportions yearly, for how long will Imo State abundantly blessed with wealthy sons and daughters afford to waste or delay its talented youths? Chief Tony Ezenna, Imo State school leavers and Nigerian Jambites need ORANGE UNIVERSITY AKOKWA from your benevolent spirit.



Mr. Ezennaya writes for the World Igbo Times Magazine, London