By Njoku Macdonald
It is not every year that one celebrates a landmark age; golden age. Neither is it every time that such special tribute is paid to a silent achiever, a private business man, who , through his several business exploits and success story has touched many lives very positively yet, choose to be on the background.
Today, friends , business associates , political allies and well wishers of Mbuko C. Mbuko join his family to play a special kind of music as they roll the drums to celebrate an illustrious son of Umunkpeyi Umuomainta Nbawsi in Nsulu- Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State. An iconoclastic of a leader, a towering symbol of enterprise, a hard working risk taker, an undisputed game changer; a breath-taking humanitarian, a friend of Jesus, boardroom business strategist, and health management consultant.
Mbuko C. Mbuko, dynamic, proactive, sound and cerebral. Before his fora into the corporate world upon graduation with a cordon blue job as a Senior Area Sales Manager at the Nigerian Breweries PLC, was the Head of Sales and Marketing of Champion Breweries Plc, Uyo, where through his charismatic and practical leadership acumen, turned around both the process and people to a lasting fortune bas at which the Champion Breweries stands now and even to come, was also a foremost social crusader, fearless student union leader and rights activist who defended the rights of Nigerian students at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, fought against incessant school fees increments by School Management, took upon himself several cases of marginalisation and intimidation of students by fellow mischievous colleagues in school.
For the above singular reasons and having won the hearts of thousands of students, he was compelled to run for the position of President of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, in 2003, and finally won in a landslide victory against those who contested the position with him; Comr. Abazie Onwuchekwa from the Accounting Department, Comr. Henry Unadike from the Purchasing and Supply Department, Comr. Alozie John from the Estate Mgt Department and Comr. Patrick Osuji from the Agricultural Engineering Department.
Mbuko C. Mbuko, a resounding political name that rang defeaning bell in the early 2000 during his academic days as a student from the department of Food and Management Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, under the Management Team led by Engr. O.I. Nwankwo as Rector and Dr. Mrs. Celestina Ugochi Njoku as the Dean of Student Affairs, who later became the first female Rector of the institution after 32 years of existence at the time of her appointment as Rector.
Mbuko C.Mbuko, very intelligent, firebrand in oratory, outspoken and fearless, raised the bar of student unionism and social activism so high that he became the greatest nightmares of the School Management under Engr.O.I. Nwankwo; dragging them to court for incessant increment in school fees without consideration. A heartwarming record and feat which is yet to be broken and attained by successive SUG Presidents, who are more or less rubber stamps to the school management, as the spirit of aluta in student unionism is finally buried.
However, the average height and fair in complexion foremost student union leader, Mbuko C. Mbuko, joined the Hall of Fame as the first ever Ngwa man all over the world to become SUG President as the future holds a bright prospect for him in Nigeria’s socio-political and leadership landscape, having taken a break to pursue a doctorate on Fast Tracked course in Europe.
Sitting atop the management board of Mbuko C. Mbuko Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization which he runs with his lovely wife, Lady Benedicta Ify Mbuko, as a way of giving back to the society having being blessed by God.
Mbuko is one man whose personal philosophy centers around empowering young minds and hands while at the same time economically affecting as many lives as possible within his reach.
With the above background , therefore , it becomes very imperative that we do a re-think , press the pulse button , change the music and pay a special tribute to a respected voice of the voiceless, an astute administrator and a foremost social crusader who has carved a niche for himself in the area of project management and healthcare
As your friend and associate, I am proud of you as much as I am aware of the immense contributions you have bequeathed to humanity in your 50 fruitful years of walk through life .
Your infectious focus on the good of Umunkpeyi Umuomainta Nbawsi in Nsulu- Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State, is as gratifying to many as it is astonishing to the rest .
May the Almighty God continue to strengthen and lead you in your service to society and humanity as you have attained this golden age.