By JAPHET ALAKAM
One of the greatest problems confronting Nigeria as a nation is the issue of lack of trust. The image of the country has been so battered that in the minds of outsiders this  country is bereft of  integrity.

But this assertion was debunked last week in Lagos when prominent people from all walks of life gathered for the celebration of one of the greatest Nigerian industrialists and  former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Dr Felix Ohiwerei who despite his very exalted and enviable position exhibited a high sense of trust and integrity.

*Frm L-R. Micheal Omolayole, Chairman of the occasion, Felix Ohiwerei(Celebrant), Mrs Janet Ohiwerei(wife) and Ola Vincent at the event

The high profile event which was earlier billed to hold in January was the official presentation and launch of a book titled, Winning by his Grace, a biography  written in honour of the accomplished businessman by Prof. Emmanuel Emenyonu.

Great minds at the event

Roll call  at the event which took place at the MUSON Centre, Lagos was endless as what could be described as the crème la de crème of the society were  represented. They include: Dr Micheal Omolayole, former Chairman of Unilever, who chaired the occasion, Prof and Mrs Akin Mabogunje, Dr C.E. Abebe represented by his son, Chief Ade Ojo, Pascal Dozie, Christopher Ezeh, Dr Imo Itsueli, Aig Imoukhuede, Pastor/Pastor Mrs E.A. Adeboye who was the father of the day, Prof. Pat Utomi, Ola Vincent, Remi Omotoso, Apostle Hayford Alile, Mr Nicholas Vervelde, MD/CEO Nigeria Breweries Plc and a host of others.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Micheal Omolayole described the celebrant as “as a super crisis manager, a product of his time and prime, trained by those who believed in discipline”, and therefore attributed his success in life to that formation.

John Abebe who represented his father,Dr C.E.Abebe in his remarks also described Ohiwerei as a detribalized Nigerian who is always passionate about things he believed in. He however pointed out that it was his good qualities that earned him honour.

“We need people like him in our political, religious and social life. He is a beacon of hope to all that want to live a moral life. Among the people I have met before he stands out as a shining star.” He added.

On his part, the father of the day, Pastor E.A. Adeboye who pointed out  that all true great men are humble and that  Ohiwerei is a great man with a truly great wife. Speaking on the event, the  respected man of God stated that there are various books in the Bible, but that there are only three special books, the book of law, the book of records and the book of life.

Out of the three books he explained  that the  most important is the book of life, which he admonishes that people should strive to have their names written in it.

In his review, Prof. Pat Utomi  pointed out that the book is a chronological collective experiences that trails the life of Ohiwerei from growing up to the time of his new birth. According to him, “in biographies you see the personal troubles and trials of individuals and this one is not an exception. For example, it  tells the reader how the news of the Nigeria civil war interrupted Ohiwerei’s honeymoon in France.

What inspired the author

The author, Prof. Emenyonu, who is the chairman of Accounting, Southern Connecticut State University in the United States thanked all who assisted him in making the project a reality. He went on to tell the audience why he embarked on the project.

He told the audience that the subject’s character inspired him to write the book   adding that  “the book is not a commissioned biography, it came out of his quest to answer a question. In contemporary Nigeria, is it possible to do things right and still succeed, to live a life of honesty and succeed? “

Continuing, he added that it was the talk about Ohiwerei’s integrity in business that got him attracted. As someone who has lived abroad since 1989, he was often assailed with stories of the cheating Nigerian.

“You always get the impression that Nigeria is a country where you can’t trust anybody and that the country has people who can’t be relied upon either in business or in general. I searched for Nigerians to fill this gap but his name kept on coming.

My intention was not to write a biography but when I met him, he exhibited a sense of humility, the character traits was good so I decided that the story must be told so that people will learn from it.” He said.