By Ingram Osigwe
Chief Ben Amuta’s life trajectory, his rise to the top, his emergence as the Onowu 11 of Umudioka are all studies in perseverance.As he celebrates his coronation as Onowu and his palace officially commissioned come 29th December 2019, friends and associates agree that Ben was destined for great things.
Obviously, Umudioka, a sleepy community in Dunokofia Local Government Area of Anambra State knows when and how to honour a son that has done it proud. Ben Amuta is an illustrious son of the town who has contributed immensely to its development. A philanthropist, he is never far away from the needy. Many in Umudioka testify to Ben Amuta’s large heartedness.
His passion for human capital development of Umudioka youths knows no bound. This explains why he runs a successful yearly scholarship scheme for youths in the town.
Chief Ben’s scholarship scheme has produced more than 40 graduates from primary school level to university.
It is therefore, no surprise that Umudioka decided to honour him with the office of Onowu or Traditional Prime Minister. His coronation is a validation of his wide acceptance among his people.
Amuta had a hard but humble beginning. He however, had this unwavering
believe that success laid in the womb of time and that at the fullness of time
it shall come to fruition.
Indeed, when life garnishes one’s path with vicissitudes and obsufucations,
giving up is not always the best option for with abiding faith in God,
hard work and honesty, one can indeed rise from zero to hero, brushing aside
the initial pangs of difficulties and limitations.
Anyone in doubt of the above assertion needs tutorials and counsel from Chief
Ben Amuta.
A business mogul, Amuta, popular as ‘Oil Minister’ and the brain
behind the highly successful brand, Don Morris red wine, was not
born with a silver spoon but he acquired one through hard work.
He is also a major importer of Classic red wine and some other brands of
wines. Amuta’s other investments span oil and gas, manufacturing, real
estate among others
A self-made man, Amuta was born in Port-Harcourt to Chief and
Mrs Anthony Amuta. He was only in primary 3 when the Nigerian
Civil War erupted.
The young lad and his family would run for their dear lives, leaving behind all
that they had worked for to become refugees in far flung places.
The man who would be Onowu was so young that the only luggage he could
carry during the family’s escape from the war was a mat.
Fleeing from Port Harcourt, Ben and his family were able to get to Umudioka
thinking the town was immune from the ferocity of the war but not too long after
reaching there, they got wind that their village may be the next to be
attacked.
So, he and his family again left the village for Onitsha in search of
safety. Not long after, the village was eventually bombed killing some of the
people that remained and maiming others.
Left with nothing and saddled with the responsibility of providing for his
young family, Ben’s father took to carpentry to feed his family while
his wife, became a petty trader.
The grim economic situation the family faced forced Ben’s parents to
advise to learn a trade as there was no money to send him to School.
However, determined to go to school, the young Ben struggled to see
himself through primary school by doing odd jobs and helping his mother hook
her petty sales. He paid his way through Common Entrance Examination
while doing that, but could only manage up to class 3.
In Class 3, in the facing of dire lack, he was again advised by his
parents to drop out of school as he was needed to help raise his younger
siblings in school. This time around, Ben had no option than to drop out
of school.
Although Ben was a highly intelligent young man, he couldn’t continue
schooling because of tuition fee. His sister instead went further, while he
went to learn a trade. He started working with his uncle in 1978. He was
not discouraged by the turn of event rather, he was optimistic he would make it
in life.
Ben soon gained freedom from his uncle and then set up his own business.
In the course of building his business, Ben traveled to different countries
seeking business partnership.
However, imbued with the can do spirit the Igbo is noted for, Ben
never gave up on his quest to acquire education hence he resorted to attending
evening schools while also immersed in his business.
His undying love for education was to come to fruition years later as he obtained a NECO Certificate and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, UNILAG.
The new Onowu 11 of Umudioka became popular as ‘Oil Minister’ because he pioneered the importation of oil lubricant for cars in Lagos Island.
One unique business trait Ben is noted for
is the coinage of his and family names to arrive at brand names for his
wines. This was how he came about Don Morris as brand name and trade
mark.
Ben is a big player in the wine industry, owning one of the largest wine shops
in Lagos with branches in other part of the country.
Married to the delectable Mrs Susan Amuta(an Educationist) and
blessed with four children, Ben is a dotting and loving father to
his beautiful wife and adorable children.
On December 29, Umudioka will be agog for Ben and all roads will
lead to his palatial country home. And then, heads will bow in awe, hands will
clap in admiration and lips will move in joyful smiles when Ben will
present his head to be bestowed with the revered title of Onowu for he
eminently deserves the honour
*Osigwe, the MD/CEO of FullPage Communications Ltd., wrote from Lagos.
