Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and the Nigerian-Londoners, By Tobenna Obiano.

One of Africa's most decorated lady of all times, Prof. Dora Akunyili while she lived, in one of her last outing during the National Conference held in the FCT, Abuja, she gave a very powerful speech which it's most inspiring quote reads thus: "the greatest doing of a generation is planting seedlings which would germinate into tress to provide shade, which they (the planters) may not use but would serve as shade to generations unborn".

The above introductory quote would serve as a key to my discuss in general. It would lead the path to the thought inherent in the work in totality.

Also, one of my most admired person of all time remains Andrew Carnegie. He is the truest builder of men and molder for generational growth. Mr. Carnegie arrived Canada and was able to work so hard to becoming one of America's richest man of all times. This did not end in his personal growth, he extended his wellness and success to building persons who turned out to flourish. He was able to transform men, who while working with him turned to millionaires. They were actually not millionaires before then, but until they began working with him. Millionaires at that time is about billionnaires of this day and age. We are talking of value in American dollars.

When Mr. Carnegie died, the world paid what could be rightfully referred to as the greatest, deserving and glowing tribute of all times to him for his charismatic, sincere and one of a kind magnamity or generosity in his unmatched devotion to bettering the lives of many. Above his casket was a sixteen lettered inscription, "HERE LIES A MAN WHOM WHILE HE LIVED, HONESTLY BETTERED MORE MEN THAN HE MET THEM".

There is no testimony of great living that may ever equal let alone surpassing same, especially as it came in live and in death.

Back home in Africa and Nigeria in particular, another personage of Andrew Carnegie exits in flesh and blood. There are many African philanthropists and there are those who have been distinctive in many fronts. There are the likes of Prince. Arthur Eze, Ozo Igbo ndu and as well, Dr. Godwin Mmaduka. The later is quintessential, fine and refined, who is singlehandedly turning his home community of Umuchukwu into a world class city. As for Eze na Ukpo, his testament of goodness runs back to time immemorial. It's ageless, steady and ceaseless.

Today, here is a testimony about one of those who has done so well and indeed, more than enough, his name is Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. He is an established and greatly successful billionaire oil magnet, enterprenuer, publisher and lately also, an entrant into politics.

Not too long ago, news greeted the Nigerian landscape particularly glowing the world of lovers of the round leather game, Nigerian football that the new entrant into the nation's major league, Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club also known as Anambra Warriors would place a lucky dip where a "lucky" few would be randomly picked and those successful would be embarking on an all-expense paid trip to London where they would be learning the vasatilities, the approach, the success, the progress and the sporadic growth of the European football and particularly, the English football.

During the said tour, it would also lead them into exploring various facets of youth involvement in Nation building, leadership and taking responsibilities. The lucky winners would have the very privilege to also tour the beautiful London city visiting places of interest including the London aisle, the London Bridge, Down Street and would watch league match between their English partners, WestHam United against Arsenal. And so, aside the knowledge inherent in the trip, they would have an awesome moment to enjoy the sanity, the serenity or quietude and ofcourse the beauty of the classiness of the streets of London and somehow, Great Britain as a whole.

Many doubted the possibility of such ever happening. Nigerians as a people are used to many failed promises. Infact, it is usual with majorly and indeed exists mostly amongst the high, rich and mighty. The political class and business fellows rank highest in this culture of promise and fail. And so, many Nigerians almost doubted the reality or possibility of this promise coming to actuality. Well, for some of us who know the Ifeanyi Ubah man and his capacity coupled with his capabilities, we had no doubt whatsoever in us that this man would keep to his word.

A day was choosen and the draw was casted and there were winners. It was a lead to fulfilling same promise.

After a while, the winners and another select chunk were invited to Lagos on an all expense paid trip and were loudged in a quite costly hotel. They were later taken to the British Embassy to process their traveling documents. Within plus or minus one week after their data capturing and biometrics, all of them got their visitor visas approved. Mark the word: ALL! Not even one person was denied; all those who applied jointly with them got their visas approved.

Last week, they were contacted again and asked to prepare to travel to London as they were promised a five day tour of London and the tutelage that would follow. They concurred and converged in Lagos where most of them where lodged in the hotel and some of them spent two nights before they were all booked onboard MedView Airline enroute London.

Within six hours of cruise thousands of feets above sea level, to the glory of God, a total of plus or minus 75 persons onboard this nearly chartered airliner with few other passengers, the MedView Airline touched down at Gatwick International Airport, London, United Kingdom. We thanked God for answered prayers, traveling mercies and their safety. While we followed updates, the excitement on the faces of these select lucky and privileged few. It echoed the possibility of keeping to promises. It energized, renewed, reinvigorated and elated many of us who watched this history been made from a distance.

Right from the airport, our Nigerian brothers and sisters in the crew were greeted with this cold-chill, like never before. Infact, someone updated, "live from London, freezing is bae!" I laughed out loud while I read this confession. They felt the London breeze and cold firsthand. Somehow, Europe is too cold now and it's going to be a big problem for a visitor to adapt, especially a first timer who may have arrived less prepared. The cold actually is only in its beginning stage as it would even get worse. It can get as bad as minus ten. The goodnews is that the team were well informed and most of those amongst them travelled with winter jackets together with boots and it has since been their saving grace.

Since this team of nearly a hundred persons arrived Britain, the internet world, particularly around the Nigerian entity and Anambra enclave have been kept busy with updates and uploads. Infact, for some of us who are friends on social media with most of them or who are in any chat group or groups, like the clubs WhatAspp group page, messages, picture uploads and videos now drop on a per second billing. Infact, the memory space of one of my phones where I follow those updates had been filled with their activities more than thrice.

On Friday, the big masquerade, the man behind the piper, the chief with the magic wand, the sole sponsor of these persons who also doubles as the President, Ifeanyi Ubah Football Club, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah arrived London to join his people, the Nigerian Londoners on this tour. The excitement and resounding welcome that followed his arrival from his numerous friends and fans charged up the London city that many might have wondered if the Prince of Africa as a continent was visiting England. Chief. Ubah has quickly integrated with them and during a dinner cum joint chat together, he charged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian nation state and the entire black race while assuring them of every support they may ever need throughout their stay.

On Saturday, they were at the stadium to watch live what promises to be a clash of the titans of sort as their partner or sister club, West Ham United takes on another English giant, Arsenal. The renewed vigor of the West Ham team especially knowing that their counterparts from Africa had arrived to support them echoed strong hope and thrills success along their path ahead of the cracker. It was a great game and the better side won.

After the match, the team proceeded on many other rigorous and thought provoking moments of learning, practices and tours to add to what they already know with hope to replicate same back home for the greater good of Nigeria and all Nigeians. And so, as might be wrongfully perceived by or from some quarters, these guys are not in London on a jamboree or spending or wasteful freak, they are there for serious business. They are out to be impacted upon for a common good from those who have since succeded.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to quickly note that while we may acknowledge that some, if not many of them are traveling to the outshores of Nigeria for the first time with this team, we must agree that it also does not mean that there are no usual travelers or those who could have done same on their own. The Chairman of the club, Mr. Chuma Ubah who led the team is there, there are one or two match officials and a few young and hardworking businessmen who joined too.

One of my very close friend, associate and brother, Ike Albarney Amaku used same moment to reunite and pay a family visit to his parents, his brother, the wife and their daughter who are British citizens. It was a worthwhile reunion and I spoke with them too and I felt the happiness from their voice by the visit of their son and brother with this team to London. Many others must have visited their own family and friends also.

While these persons continued on their London outing, I reliably gathered that they also received upkeep stipend, just in case of any other needs outside the basics that has since been fully provided for them. I enjoined those who I could reach to remain worthy ambassadors and be open minded in adapting and followingly keenly, happenings and events taking place in Britain. I again wish them an awesome moment, rewarding experience and a fruitful outing over there.

In an earlier write up of mine, I clearly stated that Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah had ceaselessly proven beyond every reasonable doubt that those many things usually thought impossible or undobale are very possible and achievable with a wiling heart. Ubah is not given to quitting; infact, he keeps rising. There is this age-long saying which reads: "quitters never win and winners never quit". This is the Ubah man in person, acts, doings and flesh.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is one Nigerian who had maintained a distinct rising profile. Ubah is no Saint, but the man is too good. He had invested his greatest of all: his time, talent and treasure to the generalized development of the entity, Nigeria and by extension, of all her people nay Africa also.

This Ubah man understands the relationship between investing in the future and building a society for the better. The future is the young and the young is the future which informs the usual saying, "build a nation, build the youth!" This also has informed his consistency in building the people of the younger generation. He is a friend to virtually all persons of all ages, old and young alike, particularly, the people of the younger generation.

It was therefore no surprsie to see him attend events hosted by young people or where his young friends invite him. I know a few persons who have never met or known him on a personal note but only on Social media who had invited him to their events and surprisingly, Ifeanyi Ubah turned up to grace their occasions. Even before leaving for this London tour, he was at the FCT, Abuja to celebrate young persons, particularly from Anambra State who have excelled and resoundingly passed through the quite rigorous Nigerian Law School. He attended on the invitation of young Barr. Ifesi Muoneme, a past Chief Judge of the Students Union Government of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. This is the Ubah man, pulling up stunts and awesome surprises when you least expect it.

Today, understanding the place and role of sports, particularly football in building the pleasure, comfy, and also gains in investing therein, he is building a worldclass Games Village which has and would most likely metamorphose into a global brand. The Ifeanyi Ubah Games Village stands rooted at the heart of Igboland, the epicenter of the SouthEast, Anambra State. In his choice to invest and building that magnificent edifice alone, he has spurred the nooks and crannies of Nnewi and by same token stands to gainfully employ the teeming unemployed persons plus growing the youth by what gives them unquantifiable delight or pleasure.

To this day, posterity rewards goodwill with goodness and vice versa. Ubah is one man who has shown a class willing love, input and development of the Nigerian youth of all classes, ages and backgrounds. He is consistently doing great things for himself, his society and us all. Our media outfit, EXPLORER MAGAZINE narratively discussed the Ifeanyi Ubah person like never before in our immediate past edition.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah directly and indirectly, from different corners through countless efforts, has taken it upon himself to build the nation by building the youth. He is continually planting seedlings which would germinate into plants that would provide shades for the generations now and the future. This man in his style is continually doing great things and he deserves our sincere support at all levels.

As an individual, also on behalf of my media outfit, EXPLORER MAGAZINE and as a super fan of his club, the Ifeanyi Ubah FC, in appreciating the team on their last title of winning the Federation Cup title, I promised to support Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah's effort and to spur the team to get to greater heights. In fulfilling same promise, I went ahead and placed an order for the lastest Rado Florence Designers wrist watches from the Swiss Makers for the team members. On keeping track, I know that it should be arriving Nigeria sometime this week and would be handed over to the club and management almost immediately. It is over a dozen pieces which honestly cost me a fortune but this means nothing as far as it amounts to giving me joy and progressing what I catch delight in, the team for their winning.

Today, the history of a new dawn stands, a basic foundation to a greater tomorrow is been laid, the step into glory is here. The future is now and this man is doing wonders with people all around the world, particularly the Nigerian youth populace. He is the face of that future.

Lastly, fair to ourselves, there are countless super rich Africans and particularly Nigerians. The number of Nigerians that own a private jet or cruise on wonders on wheels such as Rolls Royce and those in its class would astound anybody, or those who have erected skyscrapers for business purposes or those who have investments worldover but only a few willingly, genuinely and without end, give out to building a more progressive, friendly and prosperous Nigerian nation state. Those who are said to be philanthropists always have something else in mind. There are a few Nigerians who their gesture towards giving has never been matched and is continual, Prince. Arthur Eze is one man too many. Dr. Tony Elumelu is another. The habitually reserved US based medical practitioner, Dr. Godwin  Maduka has no match. And obviously, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah is an outstanding pillar in the lot. There are ofcourse many others.

In a general contest, those in positions of power, authority and the affluence, particularly our politicians are often quick to claim an unmatched nature of generosity and humility, only but towards or during elections. Infact, virtually everyone has their personal numbers, but once they win, they disappear into thin air and their phone lines goes dead.

Nowadays, it has become normal to see politicians deceiving unsuspecting victims, claiming to be down to earth and in close relationship with their subjects. They surprisingly condescend so low, as to even stopping by the roadside to buy roasted plantain, Adams Oshiomole did it. They stop by with their convoy and buy sugar-cane, chewing same along the road while inspecting self-glorious projects, El Rufai was caught in the act. Visiting sick bays and lying down on beds used by leprosy patients posing and smiling to the camera, Al Makura was found guilty. They drop by to buy watermelon and banana, Andy Ubah did it. They stop by to join in plaiting lady's head, Rotimi Amaechi did it. They park in their convoy to buy roasted fish, my Governor, Willie Obiano did same. They get to schools and share food with the less privileged and join in roasting maize along the streets, Rochas Okorocha did it. They even sew and wear school uniforms with secondary school students, Rauf Aregbesola did it.

What of frying akara for cheap publicity, the wife of President Buhari, Aisha did it. The funniest of them all is the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, what has he not done? Infact, he has done all the aforementioned and even more. On his swearing in ceremony, he arrived the venue with an out of date Mercedes benz car which he uses as official car. He laid on the floor to surrender to the service of God and his people on his swearing in day. He has jumped and rode on a bike or okada. He has joined in frying of akara. And he has been captured on camera eating food from roadside food hawkers or sealers and joined in fishing and serving others. Somehow, he is the biggest comedian as to that regards.

 This is unfortunate and has got to stop. Nigerians as a people must also learn and be a little more smarter too. We as a people cannot be continually fooled by our unrepentant class of "misleaders". We have always been enjoined to be careful of those who always pull stunts and shout "change", even the good book, our Holy Bible said so.

Politics is usually wrongfully ajoined a dirty game because a whole lot of dirty minded fellows are into the game of politics which should have been a reserve for our classiest set of individuals: the smartest, sane, sound, polished, fine and refined. And been fair to a whole lot, we have some good men and women in our political scene but well, obviously they are only but a few when compared to the other higher percentage of the "I don't cares therein or never do wells".

To the end, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who has done creditably well from all quarters echoes strong hope for the people, atleast within his immediate society and community in particular for as the aging goes: charity begins at home. He has continued to crest his name creditably on the sand of time and on the heart of men. He has carved a niche for himself and I surely trust that posterity would be kind to him. All we need as a people is to give him a little push, the kiss or breath of life, the very support to move on and even do more. If he can do great things from the sidelines, let me leave you to your thoughts of what he may achieve if presented to a wider horizon and given a bigger outlook or pedestal to soar. The future shines bright and the sky would obviously be the take-off point.

As a friend, I am proud to be associating with this Ubah man and yes, he is stepping from grass through grace and he is headed to glory. I as an individual and as well, as many that are with me on this, we can only but wish him well.

Ezigbo nwa afo Igbo, Ifeanyi ji ka mba, deme deme, deje daalu!

Tobenna Obiano.

Tobenna Obiano is a young patriotic Nigerian writer, influencer and entrepreneur. He has written a couple of books bordering on various facets of life and living. Tobenna founded and still runs a Nigerian based media outfit, Explorer Magazine and he is the founder of the social media page, "Anambra State forum worldwide". He currently resides in the Carribbean where he is improving on his scholarly prowess.