KELVIN NGOZI ANUGWO: The Transformational Monarch of Ekpeye Land
5 min read
by Oyagiri Chime-emele
“A true leader builds others to become leaders and not mass of followers”, – Anonymous.
The anonymous quote above is a tacit summary of the person of His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sir Amb. Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Ph.D, JP , AP, DSSRS, CNA, ACTI, FNIM, MNIMN, SFALPP, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III Akalaka XII, of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.
In his inaugural speech after ascending the ancient throne of his forebearers, he made a three point promise that harped on peace, security and developmental transformation of Ekpeye Ethnic Nation. His promise, like a creed, represents a new breed of leadership with much interest and passion to excel. This bears witness to his present transformational strides.
The Ekpeye supreme monarch was born about five decades and above ago in the second Ekpeye largest community of Ula Upata, which is also the ancient home of the people of Upata kingdom. He is a devout Christian and recipient of many awards from the body of Christ. From being a Knight of the United Native African (U.N.A) Church, now First African Church Mission. He is also a Catechumen member of the Rivers Archdeaconry of the Church.
Being nurtured from a humble and God fearing parental background, Eze Anugwo understood early in life that education is the key to unlock closed needed doors that would change his societal status, hence he took his educational pursuit as a priority, even while engaged in other endeavours.
He attended State School Ula-Upata where he obtained the First Leaving School Certificate in 1981. In 1988, he had his O’Level from Akpor Grammar School, Ozuoba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. An alumnus of Rivers State University of Science & Technology, now, Rivers State University and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE) Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
His Imperial Majesty, Eze Anugwo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in 2004, Master of Science degree in 2019 and Doctor of Philosophy in 2022, all in accounting.
An astute business professional with over 10 years’ experience across hospitality, oil and gas sectors, security management and personnel management among others.
He maintains a warm approach to things he holds dear. He is one personality endowed with enormous talents. His journey through life has been accompanied with firm belief and conviction that challenges are the species that saddle a man in the pool of greatness. One of a few business leaders whose tenacity and innovative thinking sets him apart.
Anugwo is the Chief Executive Officer, Tropicana Hotel & Garden, a foremost hotel located in Ula-Upata community in Ahoada town, Rivers State.
The King, who has much passion in human capital development, abhors laziness, idleness especially amongst the youths, has used the hotel in making significant stride in creating employment and empowerment to the teeming youths, especially of Ekpeye extraction. More than three hundred youths are directly in the hotel’s payroll, while about fifty are engaged on part-time basis.
He is also a consummate professional with a strong passion for excellence. The First-Class traditional ruler is a career individual with extensive and diverse experience in economics, accounting and investment analysis. And he has an excellent interpersonal skill, with persuasive ability to communicate flawlessly at all levels.
He has attended courses as an Accounting Officer and got trained for clerical officers’ improvement and productivity and has acquired basic industrial and basic firefighting skills. He served in various capacities with Total E&P Nig. Ltd such as: Security Administration Officer, Security Decentralized Buyer, Chief Security Officer at NMI, Fellow Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (FNIM), Security Central Finance and Coordinator Personnel and Welfare. He was also a Cost Controller on Budget Input and Payment of Government Security Forces (GSF) and has interfaced with other departments. Eze Anugwo holds a Certificate in Basic Industrial Security.
No wonder his second to non expertise in interpersonal relationship and experience in security matters has greatly assisted in curbing the then excalating insecurity that is now almost non existent in Ekpeye land.
“Peace has returned to Ekpeye Land. Every body now sleep with their two eyes closed. I am appealing to everyone, especially the youths not to engage any crisis in Ekpeye land,” Eze declared.
In all of the tasks he was saddled with, Eze Anugwo exceedingly excelled. Even as his economic and social status continues to broaden, his philanthropy and selflessness for community service is on the increase. This is in consonance with the immense potential he carries as a traditional ruler and socialite. His sterling qualities as a prime mover, agent of transformation and catalyst of success has truly endeared him to many.
The Royal Father detests dishonesty, betrayal and double standards. He has emphatically stated that to attract rapid development through natural gifts, like the mineral resources deposited in Ekpeye land, the proposed Ubeta Gas Treatment Plant Project should be sited in any place within Ekpeye Land but should not be extracted from Ekpeye land and channeled elsewhere for treatment.
In the traditional sphere, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo came from holding a traditional title: Agida Ekpeye Logbo II, figuratively meaning, the Chair of Ekpeye Land in 2017. He held forte as the Nye-Udu Ede Upata Clan I of Upata Kingdom, it means, the traditional leader, before ascending the mythical throne of the Ekpeye people as the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III on May 4th, 2022.
As part of his zeal to transform and expand the traditional horizon, he formally recognized Igbu Ugbobi and Igbu Orlukwor and inducted the new kingdoms into Eze Ekpeye in Council, raising the number of Kingdoms in Ekpeye Ethnic Nation to seven. It did not stop there, he was instrumental to the official recognition and issuance of staff of office to some Ezes, viz a viz; Eze Igbu Ehuda and Eze Igbu Orlukwor.
Many political favours and infrastructural developments have been recorded in the three years of Eze Anugwo’s reign as Ekpeye supreme monarch.
Eze Anugwo is happily married to Her Imperial Majesty Queen Francisca Anugwo, Unuwhe Wheshi Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, from Ula-Ehuda community in Ahoada East Local Government Area. The marriage is blessed with two lovely children.
