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By Christy Anyanwu
Dr Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi is a woman of many parts. She is a trained medical doctor who later became a global entrepreneur and go-getter.
Speaking with Sunday Sun recently, the 70-year-old woman of substance reels out her success story and lots more.
Tell us more about yourself?
I was trained in conventional medicine. But, today I practice as an advocate of integrative lifestyle. Integrated lifestyle, a gift bestowed upon humanity by the divine, serves as a comprehensive approach to enhance various aspects of our lives, including health, relationships, marriages, and financial challenges. By assisting couples and guiding them, we can become valuable assets to our families, communities, and society, embodying impactful roles as women.
Tell us your journey from being a medical doctor to becoming an entrepreneur?
Now, how did I transition from being a medical doctor to adopting this integrative lifestyle approach? My journey began during my time as a university student, where I also entered into marriage. Amidst pursuing my medical studies at the University of Ibadan, I welcomed my first son. In the year of my graduation, 1979, I gave birth to my second son. This period marked a phase of being a student, a wife, and a mother, all while grappling with the responsibilities of nurturing a young family. At that juncture, my husband worked as a civil servant, which motivated me to contribute to our family’s financial needs. To supplement our income, I ventured into business endeavours despite my medical background. Though a medical doctor by profession, I ventured into alternate paths to bolster our resources. Back then, affording milk for our children wasn’t easy due to its cost. This prompted me to explore new avenues. My journey commenced by purchasing clothes from a talented seamstress named Violet Hecksher, also known as Bellver, who crafted exquisite garments. I would then sell these clothes, either by personally approaching friends or sometimes even creating wedding gowns. My husband was wonderfully supportive and would even accompany me on trips to display and sell these clothing pieces. Eventually, I secured a shop at 1004 and established “Exclusive Collections,” where I featured my own selection of ready-made clothes crafted from fine fabrics. In a remarkable evolution, my trajectory led me to integrate lifestyle principles into my expertise. This transition, while unexpected, has been incredibly fulfilling.
Then how did you venture into importation business?
My cousin, Mr Frank Nnama, was involved in importing goods from abroad. One day, I approached him and asked, “Frank, what can I import with your dealer to make some money?” He suggested that we visit the market to explore opportunities. Upon inspection, we found that Vim was scarce in the market. Interestingly, my father held the belief that if someone asked him for money, it implied that the person’s spouse couldn’t provide. In contrast, my mother supported me by giving me ₦10,000. I entrusted this amount to Frank Nnama. Frank took the initiative to import the Vim, and the outcome was remarkable. I earned ₦25,000, with a profit of ₦15,000. This marked the inception of my first-ever business transaction. This success propelled me forward. Subsequently, my ventures expanded into the realm of pharmaceuticals, specifically fiber pharmaceuticals. I delved into importing essentials such as water for injection and paracetamol. Yet, amidst the gains, the challenges of navigating port procedures and customs clearance began to diminish the appeal of such importations. During this period, a friend of mine, Obi Chikewe, approached me with an intriguing proposition. He informed me about the shipping business, sharing that his company, ExxonMobil, was actively seeking suppliers for their goods. This revelation sparked my interest, as it seemed to hold greater potential. The thread of my journey unfolds in unexpected ways, each experience contributing to the fabric of my expertise. Integrating these diverse elements into a cohesive lifestyle approach has been my true calling, one that has brought me immense satisfaction and purpose. Standing at this juncture, I am a testament to the power of embracing change and forging ahead, even when the path is uncertain.
Did your growing up influence what you do today?
My father instilled in me the habit of prayer from a young age. I hail from the lineage of Sir M.G. Okoye and Monica Okoye, a family that emphasized prayer and principle-centered values like contentment, peace of mind, happiness, kindness, compassion, empathy, humility, and gratitude. These values have played a pivotal role in shaping the woman I am today. Growing up, my father, a self-made businessman, built a significant construction conglomerate in the eastern part of Nigeria. His journey taught me invaluable business skills, particularly the virtues of determination, commitment, and hard work. As I pondered ways to enhance my business, a unique opportunity emerged – one involving shipping, an entirely new territory for me. Drawing on my connections, I entered the world of shipping through introductions from my brother and another individual with experience in the field. I embarked on the journey to acquire a vessel for supplying ExxonMobil. However, obtaining the necessary funds proved challenging, as lenders consistently asked for collateral. At that juncture, my husband and I lacked collateral. A fortuitous turn of events connected us with the Managing Director of a bank through a family friend. With their support, we secured funding for our first vessel. Subsequently, a second contract for another vessel followed, and within the third year, we were entrusted with the construction of four new vessels. This period marked a turning point as my capacity began to expand. My husband, though a civil servant, stood by me with unwavering support. His input, ideas, and decision-making played a crucial role in the growth of my business, known as Fimaari, which eventually encompassed seven vessels. This endeavour led me to become the first Nigerian woman to own an indigenous offshore service vessel. Meanwhile, I continued practicing medicine alongside my business pursuits. In the midst of this success, a friend introduced me to a revolutionary technology for building houses – Ecoprint. Unlike traditional block construction, this method captivated me. We established a factory and ventured into this new avenue, further diversifying our business portfolio. Despite achieving financial success, a feeling of emptiness persisted within me. While money was being made, I sensed that I wasn’t fulfilling the purpose God had designed for me. Hence, even as I thrived in various business ventures, the call to align with my true purpose became increasingly potent.
How were you able to juggle all of these?
During this period, I became negligent of my health, prioritizing business and career pursuits over my wellbeing. It’s a common trend – people focusing on financial success while sidelining their health. The consequence was evident as I started experiencing stress-related illnesses. Over six years, I grappled with depression, panic attacks, severe indigestion, and persistent worries. Although I attended church regularly, my spiritual connection was superficial; I followed the motions of prayer without truly experiencing its power. My perspective shifted when I encountered Nnenna Obisinge, who introduced me to the Holy Ghost school. This marked a transformative spiritual journey. Now, as a disciple of Christ, I’ve developed the ability to engage with my ailments on a spiritual level. When I experience physical discomfort, like a tummy ache, I can address it directly, acknowledging that God did not intend for me to suffer. This newfound spiritual strength was instrumental in my healing process. Amidst my illness, worries overwhelmed me. Financial concerns, like ensuring sufficient funds for school fees, compounded my anxiety. This persistent stress led to a condition known as blood acidity, where digestion becomes compromised, resulting in symptoms like gas, flatulence, and constipation. These digestive issues are commonly misunderstood, with people resorting to antacids as a solution.
What advice do you have for women as regards their role in nation building?
Being role models in character is essential; we cannot tell children to be good in character while displaying contradictory behaviour. The pervasive “get rich quick” mentality in our country needs to be eradicated. Society doesn’t seem to care about the source of your wealth – just donate to the church, receive your “seed” money. This mindset misleads our children into thinking that any means of acquiring money is acceptable. Additionally, our educational curriculum requires a significant overhaul. It’s heavily skewed towards formal education – doctor, journalist – but it ignores the fundamental question: What kind of individual are you? In our society, we often focus on outward appearances. We need to shift the focus to inner qualities. As the saying goes, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” When couples engage in hurtful arguments, it reflects their inner selves. I appreciate the presence of women who are both outwardly beautiful and possess inner virtues. I have little regard for envious individuals. It’s disheartening to see women who appear beautiful but lack qualities like peacefulness or the ability to promote harmony, choosing instead to remain silent in the face of conflict. For societal change to occur, women must take the lead. Although men are expected to be spiritual leaders, many fall short. Nigerian men, in particular, often engage in infidelity, which distances them from God. Women have the opportunity to bridge this gap in spiritual leadership. When the headship in a household is lacking, it poses problems. However, I emphasize that spirituality is not about mere church attendance. Personal character and interactions with others matter more. My approach to life is to consider everyone I meet as a friend. This is how I navigate my relationships and interactions. In essence, to see real change in our society, women need to step up, embrace their role, and model the values that will uplift and transform our communities.
You showcased your books on your birthday. Can you talk on that?
I released series of four E-books titled “Live Your Best Life.” The first E-book is “Be an Asset to Your World Through the Integrated Lifestyle.” The second is “Achieve Vibrant Health Through the Integrated Lifestyle.” The third focuses on “Root Causes of Relationship and Marital Challenges,” addressing the prevalent issue of short-lived marriages. Lastly, there’s “Acquire Straight Coping Skills.” These E-books are designed to offer practical insights in a concise format. My strong belief is that knowledge empowers. A significant aspect of my routine is dedicated to reading. I make it a point to read a few pages of a personal book every day, right after my Bible reading. Additionally, I engage in faith affirmations. I regularly recite phrases like “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better” and “I am a healthy, calm, relaxed, happy woman.” Despite being labeled as “crazy” by my husband due to my joyful demeanor, these affirmations help maintain my wellbeing. Incorporating these practices can prevent illness. We often neglect physical activity, even in simple ways. For instance, when at the office, standing up and sitting down repeatedly can serve as exercise. This routine benefits heart health by promoting circulation. I encourage anyone who tries this to share their experiences with me. That sums up my life journey.
You still look elegant at 70, what is the secret?
I express gratitude for my life. I celebrated my 70th birthday on May 28 and held a celebration party on July 29. It’s remarkable how my energy levels have changed. In the past, I struggled with low energy and depression. Now, at this age, I am free of pain, arthritis, and headaches. All thanks to this integrated lifestyle. It’s why I’m so passionate about sharing it with others. Success isn’t determined solely by background or education. Making mindful decisions and focusing on the positives are key. The Japanese “Kaisen” principle of continuous improvement, where every day surpasses the previous one, is a powerful concept.
