Tribute to Prince of Africa, Ezenaukpo, Prince. Arthur Eze, Ozoigbondu

Arthur Eze with the new governor of Oyo state, Makinde during a courtesy visit at his Enugu residence

By Tobenna Obiano

At different times, I’ve read, and heard many query, what would Prince. Arthur Eze be remembered for?

It’s not everyday that people get the opportunity to have others celebrate them. It’s also not everyday that people have the willspirit to celebrate others for no just cause.

However, today, I woke up with the urge to celebrate a man who has done so much, yet hasn’t been rightly appreciated nor celebrated as it ought to be. This is why I’m dedicating this piece to the person of the Prince of Africa, Ozoigbondu. Prince. Arthur Eze, Ezenaukpo. This is richly deserving.


Well, in this clime, many do not necessarily care about what they are, who they’ve become, and the creative impact of laying solid foundations, that even when they’re no more, it would create lasting and worthwhile memories of goodness, great deeds, and greatness.

In sane climes, many do know the importance of striving to excel and by which token, they creast their names solidly in the heart of men and on the sand of time. What would you be remembered for? This ought to always resonate in the mind and thoughts of every sane person.

Ofcourse, it’s good to acquire a lot, intellectually, physically, financially and spiritually. However, the truest measure of a man isn’t solely on what he has achieved for himself, but “impact”, to impact or impacting actually becomes the keyword. How he has impacted in his life, that of those around him, and the society at large.

The numerous awards and laurels might be forgotten. The countless degrees and certificates might be lost too. The beautiful and executive rides, those wonders on wheels may go out of fashion, those mansions and skyscrapers at choice destinations may also not matter. The chieftaincy titles may mean less or near nothing. It’s impact that then becomes everything.


Therefore, what would last very long is good name and impact. This again is why the Igbo man in his rich sense of reasoning has a proverb, “good name is the Igbo man’s greatest legacy”, or when loosely translated, “good name is by far, better than all the wealth, treasures, and affluence that comes with it”. Again, it’s “Ezi aha ka ego”.

Arthur Eze, the Prince of Sub-Sahara Africa is one man who has done so well for himself, and in no less measure, for this society. Ozoigbondu as he’s fondly called, has in many years created of himself, the ingenuity of doing good, always. The name therefore is a household one within the Igbo society, Nigeria, and West Africa.

At some point, I chose to understudy the person of Arthur Eze, and yes, I was really thrilled by what I learnt. I went as far as visiting the Ukpo palace, where I met with his brother, Igwe. Dr. Romanus Eze, the Eze of Ukpo Kingdom. I met with his Majesty, and had time to chat with him. He showed this friendliness that had no match.

Prince Arthur Eze was born on November 27th, 1948. He hails from Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He is a billionaire oil magnate, political financier and philanthropist. He’s also a much sort-after Nigerian business tycoon, an industrialist, and he’s the chairman of Atlas Petroleum International Ltd.

The giving spirit of Prince. Arthur Eze began quite early, right from the cradle and his early childhood. It’s said that he was of the habit of gifting out his meal and even uniforms to schoolmates who needed it more. At the Church Missionary School (CMS), Abagana, Anambra State, and subsequently, to St. Augustine Secondary school, Nkwere, Imo State, he was that particular student who was of the habit of giving out, always. He journeyed to America where he acquired a double degree in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. Even to the affluent abroad, he continued to gift.

Prince Arthur Eze is happily married to Princess Ijeoma Eze, and the union has been blessed with five amazing children - Odera, Chiebonam, Walter, Luther, and Ikpechukwu. I’ve been a friend of Ikpechukwu, and in one of our chats, I saw in him humility taken a higher new level, this sense of respect and accommodation. He’s a great guy.


Ozoigbondu was known to be a big fan of the late highlife musician, Oliver De Coque. Before the death of the music maestro, he produced an album dedicated to Arthur Eze. Dr. Emeka Morocco Maduka, another ageless Igbo artist of egwu ekpili brand, also released several songs that praised Eze.

In 1991, Prince. Eze founded Atlas Oranto Petroleum for oil exploration activities in West Africa, and has been able to incorporate it, building same to a household name even beyond the African continent. To this day, the company is said to be the largest holder of oil exploration blocks in the entire Africa. The company’s vast outreach has tremendously grown, and just two oil blocks alone can produce more than 100,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Aside the oil and gas sector, where he has been a major player over the years, Dr. Arthur Eze has long diversified, showed key interest in many other investment programs and shareholding in major multinational companies and firms. The Premier Brewery has Prince Eze as the Chairman for many years till date. There’re loads of other companies where he sits comfortably on its board as Chair.

Arthur Eze is remarkably known for his giving-spirit. He’s often moved by the suffrage of people, hunger in the land and the quest to help alleviate poverty, fight malnutrition and grow as many as he often can. Even many elderly would agree that right from their childhood, they grew to know the name, Arthur 1000 as the ageless giver, who gifts without looking back.

Ozoigbondu has created lasting memories and impacts on many, including and not limited to the church, to communities and to academic institutions. It’s on record that he’s the longest known single donor in Nigeria’s history. He has been magnanimous in his giving to churches, communities, for educational purposes and to the underprivileged.

Sometime in 2013, the Prince of Ukpo kingdom made headlines when he donated $12 million, about N1.8billion back then, at a fundraising gathering to help fund the construction of an Anglican Church Youth Development Center in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the hometown of the then President, Goodluck Jonathan. That was to be the highest single donation by any Nigerian ever.

Prince. Eze again donated wholeheartedly, the whopping sum of $6.3million to flood relief efforts in Nigeria in 2012, during the flooding that destroyed many homes, farmlands and brought devastation to the people and country. At one of the build-up to community development, policing and vigilante purposes, Ozoigbondu donated to Anambra State Government under Mr. Peter Obi the sum of N1billion, whilst allegedly gifting N500million cash there and then, promising to make up the balance later.

At the fundraising ceremony for the Catholic Church-owned Peter University, Achina, the Prince announced a donation of N200million, and an additional N5million cash which he instructed be shared to all those gathered at the fundraiser.

In further support of the Anambra State security intervention program, under the Governor Willie Obiano’s administration, this Prince has donated another intimidating sum of USD1million. He made a draft of same amount and handed it over to the Governor. He further donated the sum of N1.1billion for the Agricultural sector development in the state.

Ozoigbondu’s giving spirit has no ending, as he was one of the major donors during a fundraising dinner, to support victims of terror held at the banquet hall of the Aso Rock villa, FCT, Abuja. At that fundraiser, which was anchored by the Nigerian President himself, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Prince. Eze donated another large sum of USD5million, whilst going ahead to present a draft of USD2million there and then to the elated President.


The billionaire Prince and oil tycoon has donated richly and vastly to many institutions, religious, community and educational circles. He has also been awarded numerous chieftaincy titles and honorary Doctorate degrees. However, the title of Ozoigbondu, the keeper or rescuer of the Igbos best captures him.

Ozoigbondu is a lover of good music and songs. He loves lyrics from choristers and pianists. At his homes, different choir groups and bands come in turns to perform to his delight and that of his guests. His homes, be it at GRA, Enugu or Maitama, Abuja or at the Ukpo kingdom are all a Mecca of sort, where everyone comes to receive endlessly. I’ve also been a guest.

The list of the greatest donors and philanthropists of the African continent has him, Arthur Eze of Nigeria leading, jointly with the few likes of: Mark Shuttleworth (Zimbabwe), Mo Ibrahim (Sudan), Tony Elumelu (Nigeria), Mike Adenuga (Nigeria), Hakeem Belo-Osagie (Nigeria), the Sawiri’s family (Egypt) plus a host of others.

The oil magnet has being a financier to virtually one and every political party in Nigeria at one time or another. He’s donated millions, even in dollars and billions of naira to the PDP, the APC and to APGA at different times. He has also sponsored many aspirants to victory. He has played a pivotal role in the political life of many, from within and outside Igboland. Just recently, he announced a donation of N1billion to the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Dave Umahi after a flyover was named after him in the state.

The super-wealthy Prince is also a lover of beautiful toys, as he has dozens of such in his garage. It’s said that he has about five brands and different models of Rolls Royce, including a double of the latest 2019 version. He also has two Mercedes Magnum, the Maybach, Bentleys and a host of others. He has homes at different parts of Nigeria and abroad.

Prince. Arthur Eze’s Atlas Oranto Petroluem owns several producing and non-producing oil and gas assets across Nigeria, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and Gambia.

Engr. Arthur Eze is also further known as “the African Prince”, the Prince of sub-Sahara Africa, World man, Ochiagha ndi Igbo, Kangiwa gawu Babangida, Arthur 1000, Arthur one million, Ozoigbondu and ofcourse, Ezenaukpo.

Andrew Carnegie was one of the Canadian all-time wealthiest man. He grew many who were nearly jobless, hungry and poor, from working with him to becoming millionaires. Infact, he built and actually stood about a 100 persons to millionaires in dollars. A millionaire in dollar at that time, can rightly be equated as a billionaire in dollar at this age.

At the death of Carnegie, and on top of his casket was the beautifully written fifteen words inscription, “Here Lies A Man, Who Left the Lives of Many, Better than He Met Them”. When Ozoigbondu moves, many move. When he prospers and flourishes, he carries many along. He has indeed become like the Canadian billionaire, Andrew Carnegie, that man who has bettered the lives of many, than he met them.

Indeed, Prince Arthur Eze has created positive impacts in the lives of many, and left lasting imprints on the sand of time. When he’s no more, may posterity be kind in remembering the many lives he improved, bettered and saved. Igboland should be proud of him. We have a great son in him.

I celebrate Ozoigbondu, may he live long, healthier, stronger, happier, and prospering. He’s a kindred soul, and a great man. This is what he would be remembered for.

When many, even the powerful and mighty flood his home to pay homage, or seek for support , or blessings or direction, you now know why.

All hail the Prince; long may he live!