There is a common saying that it is rare to find a successful businessman who is selfless. That, if one is lucky to find one, that it only happens once in a lifetime.
But Prof Ambassador Chief Chigozie Eselu Nwolisa, the Eselu Awka Etiti and Ochiora Ndigbo, an illustrious son of Idemmili in Anambra State, has proven that there are exceptions to the situation.
The founder, grand Patron and pioneer president of Diamond Fitness Club, of Nigeria, who is also known as The Emperor of Philanthropy, has become to many, what the spring (rain) is to the cherry trees. It is during the raining season that the cherry trees take in nutrients and are again able to photosynthesize. The waters help the cherry trees breathe the breath of life and prepare them to blossom and produce fruits. Without the spring to awaken the tree before it begins producing fruit, the cherry would be unable to continue growing.
You have also proven that it is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and for others.
Or how else does one describe your philanthropic interventions when the government looked away during the COVID 19 pandemic, that you single handedly brought succour to your people in Awka Etiti in Anambra State.
You took it upon yourself to share food items worth millions of naira to cushion the effect of the lockdown in the state. On that fateful day of Saturday, 12th April, 2020, in your palatial home in Awka Etiti. You placed food on the table of many for a reasonable number of days, as you shared bags of rice, noodles, yams and several other food items to various homes. It was like embarking on a happy pilgrimage as people were seen thronging to and fro your home with those food items and cash gifts. Many were a witness to this.
Chief Ochiora Ndigbo, you have brought succor to many, both within your circle of friends, family and community members. It is no wonder that space will not permit us to reel out all the numerous titles that your philanthropic lifestyle has conferred on you. If there is a better definition of impacting lives, of bringing succour to rather impoverished people, you deserve more than that.
High Chief, Prof. Chigozie Nwolisa is the CEO of Rheel Services Limited, with interests spanning the finance, maritime, transportation, real estate, communications, agriculture, importation, oil and gas as well as the hospitality sectors.
On the 28th day of April, 2018, the premises of the European American University, Dominica at 1, NITEL Street, Cappa Bus Stop, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, was filled to full capacity, as the university deemed it worthy to confer on you, a well-deserved professorial emeritus investiture, for positively impacting humanity in various forms.
This came barely three years after all the way from Ghana, you were conferred with a Doctorate degree of Arts (honoris causa), for your exploits in community development and good leadership. The award took place at the Bodiaku Hall of the prestigious University of Ghana (City campus) in Accra, Ghana.
This celebration did not escape the sight of prominent Nigerians, businessmen and society bigwigs, as they came in their numbers to reckon with the award.
This very successful but humble entrepreneur, High Chief Ambassador (Dr.) Chigozie Nwolisa, a humanitarian empire, is the brand Ambassador of his home town, Awka Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Eselu of Awka Etiti is an outstanding philanthropist. He is an expert in human management, whose leadership ability transcends the ordinary. He derives so much joy in seeing others happy, hence his relationship with all classes of people.
He is a strong benefactor to many orphanage homes and has contributed immensely to the upkeep of disabled persons. He has built many homes for the poor in his home town and state.
The High Chief stated that his mission is to improve the lives of those in need, the less privileged and people with disabilities, through humanitarian services and philanthropic gestures.
His humble and philanthropic life has attracted many accolades and honors to him. He is the founder of the House of Commons, “an Igbo Youth Social Club then at Surulere. His Diamond Fitness Club of Nigeria, is described by many, as the greatest club of Igbo extraction in Nigeria.
He was the Vice president and later president of Friends Club Onitsha. Chief (Dr.) Nwolisa has been honored locally and internationally. Few of his honors are:
Dike Di Ora Nma by the Igbo Council of Ndi Igwe of Igboland; Lord of National Club, Awka Etiti; Ambassador, Global Leaders of Integrity Award, Ghana; Award of Excellence by the Rotary International District 9140.
Others include: Health and Kinetic Merit Award by the University of Lagos, Akoka; Patron, Saving Life for Africa Diabetes Foundation; NNS-Wey Navy award by Rear Admiral E.G. Ofik; Vocational Service of Excellence award by Rotary International, Awka; Leadership Merit award by Crime Victims Foundation; Distinguished Icon award, by Trendy Birds magazine.
And also, Brand Ambassador, Awka Etiti Ancient Kingdom; Excellent Leadership award, Ivory Friends Club of Nigeria; Gold Award by the West African Leadership Icons; Crime Busters Merit award by the Lagos Police Command/City Pride magazine; Great African Achievers Leadership Legacy award, South Africa by the Nobel Global News magazine; Akpokuo Dike of Akpo Kingdom and not forgetting the Distinguished Personality/Humanitarian/Human Development award by former Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State.
Ambassador Nwolisa earned the title Eselu N’enu Ego in 1976 when as a very young man he bought the then reigning CD185 Honda Motorbike. It was said to be the talk of the town then and his people couldn’t help but give him that title.
His very simple but caring lifestyle has contributed to his refusal to dabble into partisan politics.
This visionary and charismatic leader and believer in equity and justice was born in Onitsha, Anambra State, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. George Nwolisa (Ekwueme), his father was also an outstanding achiever and business tycoon of his time.
When he relocated to Lagos in the early 90s, he founded a youth club named House of Commons Association, then located at 5, Agboyin Street in Ikate, Surulere. This club later metamorphosed to the now prestigious Diamond Fitness Club of Nigeria. He is currently the grand patron of the club.
