As activities continue to build up to the final burial ceremony of Late Senator Levi Ikwuagwu Nwokeafor, the Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA), has held a memorial lecture to honour the remarkable contributions made in the Abia business sector and Nigeria as a whole by the late Nwokeafor.
The late Levi Ikwuagwu Nwokeafor, who served as the second President of UCCIMA, made significant achievements during his tenure, driving the association’s members to achieve their goals and making a lasting impact on the Umuahia Chamber.
In his speech,the outgoing President of the Chamber, Hon Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, eulogized the impactful contributions made by the late Nwokeafor, stating that he was instrumental to the growth of UCCIMA.
Hon Aruoma praised the late Nwokeafor for his huge investments in Abia, which played a crucial role in enhancing the state’s economic prospects. Aruoma emphasized the importance of investors attracting investments back to their homeland, a concept locally known as, “Aku ruo ulo”, which translates to “bringing back investments home”.
Hon Chidi Nkem-Aruoma
According to him, the exceptional footing of the late business guru, formed the basis the Chamber tagged the memorial lecture, “Aku Ruo Ulo”, emphasizing how the Late Nwokeafor invested heavily in his homeland. Aruoma, however, maintained that even in death, UCCIMA would continue to acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding contributions made to the Abia business community by the late Nwokeafor.
In his Lecture, entitled,”Gains of Investing At Home; Lessons From Late Senator Levi Ikwuagwu Nwokeafor”, the Executive chairman of Umuopara Council of Chiefs, Dr Smart Nwokorie, said investing in one’s community was not about contributing money,but about committing positively to the place called home.
Dr Nwokorie highlighted the chains of businesses formed by the late Nwokeafor, in various parts of the old Eastern region, stressing that through his investments in SELINS transport, Haulage, Warehousing, Import/export, SELINS petrol and Oil/Gas businesses, communities in Umuahia and Abia state as a whole, became relevant.
He disclosed that the late Nwokeafor remained a role model other business owners should emulate.
During his presentation, the third president of UCCIMA, Sir George Akomas, who elaborated on the topic “Bringing Your Investment Home,” emphasized the urgent need for Igbo sons and daughters to return their investments to the region, ensuring that the South East experience significant economic growth.
Sir George Akomas
The keynote speaker, Sir Justin Ikechukwu Nwosu, who is a renowned Chartered Accountant, spoke on the “Role of SME in Nation Building”, highlighting critical role played by SME operators in creating economic balance.
According to him, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), is pivotal to the development of both individual states and the nation,adding that these businesses are considered as the backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to job creation, innovation, poverty alleviation and economic diversification.
Sir Justin Ikechukwu Nwosu
Sir Nwosu while acknowledging the giant strides of the late Nwokeafor in growing the economy of the South East through his numerous investments, called for small businesses to be assisted for more productivity.
In an interview with some of the family members of the late Nwokeafor, his younger brother, Mr Chigozie Nwokeafor, said the late Levi Nwokeafor made a great impact in the lives of his family members and the community at large. He said the late Levi Nwokeafor was a generous man who had the interest of everyone at heart and would not relent in offering helping hand to those in need.
Mr Chigozie Nwokeafor
He said the entire community would miss him greatly, while praying for his eternal repose.
Speaking with newsmen, his son, Mr Okechi Nwokeafor, reflected on the enduring legacies of his late father, describing him as a humanitarian,a business icon, a man of the people and a person of great caliber.
Okechi Nwokeafor
Okechi expressed that the legacy left by his father was so immense, that no one could truly fill his shoes, but he hoped his virtues would be emulated. He said, “My father left behind shoes too big for anyone to fill. However, when it comes to business, I believe we have followed in his footsteps. We are all involved in business and we are excelling because we have his entrepreneurial spirit.”
He commended the Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture for putting the lecture to honour their father and for acknowledging his contributions to the the business sector.
For Eze Nwokeafor, another son of the business mogul, he shared that his father taught him to be adventurous, a quality he stated has helped him stand out. He vowed that the family would continue to uphold their father’s legacy.
Eze Nwokeafor
The late Levi Ikwuagwu Nwokeafor who was born in December 1948, passed away in December 2023 and will be laid to rest on December 19,2024,at the age of 75
