Birthday celebrations become truly memorable when pegged on industry and achievements, as in the days of yore.

For Nnewi, Anambra State-born Louis Izuchukwu Carter Onwugbenu, a household name in international business circles, born 63 years ago to the family of Augustine and Cecilia (popularly called Omakaa by her close friends and relations) Onwugbenu of Ndiojukwu Quarters in Uruagu Nnewi, it was for both, as he has rediscovered that cherished standard.

His name has remained synonymous with industry, hardwork, achievements, humility and kindness towards others, especially those in need and the underprivileged.

Today, Onwugbenu can be rightly said to have undergone full and complete life’s metamorphosis in industry and humanitarian work.

Little wonder the Pope Francis honoured him as Papal Knighthood of St. Gregory The Great.

And as Okpata Ozuora, which means the wealth that is extended to all, by his Nnewi community.

Leading the way in the numerous goodwill wishes, his children and grandchildren during his investiture, noted that it was a recognition of his “… magnificent works, philanthropy and services to the Church and community,” contributions they had witnessed throughout their lives.

He was raised to be God-fearing and charitable in words and deeds, and he had impacted same in all of them.

Coming from a humble background, his generosity has never been curtailed by age. Instead, it manifested more, making him appreciate the need to give back to the community.

From an early age, his parents nurtured and imbibed the solid foundation for an undying love for others and faith in God from the cradle. And having lived and learnt under the tutelage of the early missionaries, who brought and propagated Christianity in Nnewi, it has remained his lifestyle ever since.

It truly showed in every step of his growth, from ‘altar boy,’ ‘mass-server’ and a regular face at the Uruagu unit of Block Rosary.

In his word of exhortation, Onwugbenu said he drew inspiration from Psalm 128, which says: “Blessed are those who fear God and do His will, for they shall reap bountifully.”

Born into economic challenges 63 years ago, the intellectually promising young Louis had to forgo his education midway at the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war in 1967.

He later started business in 1972 by selling of bolts and nuts, oil filters and plugs with the meagre capital from his parents.

It was his resilience that propped him on till he graduated into the importation of auto spare parts and rose above his peers in almost all respect.

Between 1972 and 1977 when his extra hardworking started paying off, he became one of the few pioneer traders that made weekly shuttles to motor/motorcycle spare parts markets at Idumota, Lagos directly under the Carter Bridge; hence he was nicknamed ‘Louis Carter Bridge.’

Till date, he has made honesty, diligence and hardwork inculcated in him by his parents and the Catholic priests his watchword and imbibed same in all his children.

These invaluable trademarks have remained key part of his life and become the stabilising force and hallmark of his business style.

According to Onwugbenu: “I have travelled extensively and been to virtually all parts of the world in the course my business.

He recounted: “With attendant exposure, I have come to realise that education remains the bedrock of every human endeavour and the pillar of life and any society that does not have solid foundation for the education of its citizens is doomed; hence my passionate for and interest in education.

“It is most unfortunate that the youth of today lay more emphasis on the ‘end’ and not the ‘means.’ They appear more interested in acquiring wealth without having the basic foundation of life, which is education.

“The world is now a global village and business today is technology-driven, quite unlike in the 70s and 80s when we were growing up in business- the analog era- and they always looked up to those who had made it in life, without asking how they made it in life.”

He offered some advice to them: “Young entrepreneurs today should before any other thing acquire education, instead of looking up to those who have excelled, without actually knowing how they made it.

“The business environment today is fraught with encumbrances, including fraud, avarice, intrigues and perfidy.

“I am saying so as a true Christian, and given my deep-rooted faith in God, which my late mother inculcated in me.

“People called her Omakaa, because she would always resigned her faith in God in every situation, which no doubt must have given her longevity, as she passed away at 93.

“Personally, I faced lots of daunting challenges even as an adult. That was when I realised that all that glitters is not gold.”

His journey to stardom did not come without the ugly side, the only pain being that it came from close relations and confidants, who betrayed the confidence he reposed in them.

But he took it all with equanimity and a deep sense of responsibility, and despite the vicissitudes of life, he still thank God for the immeasurable blessings he has continued to shower on him and his family, more so, for giving him long healthy.

His successes and achievements have indeed made him forget the sorrows and pains of the past.

He cautioned the youth: “I advise them to shun greed and avarice, because such could lead to betrayal of confidence and trust of closed relations and the loved ones.

“I have zero tolerance for greed, avarice and indiscipline. I am very convinced that it is why I am successful today, because I apply and continue to apply the virtues of honesty and transparency in my dealings with fellow men.

“If you are greedy and betray the confidence people have in you, you are bound to fail in life.”

August 15 every year has become memorable in the calendar of many less privileged individuals in Anambra, being Onwugbenu’s birthday, when he normally showers gifts, scholarships and other means of poverty alleviation to them, and everyone looks up to that date.

Testimonies abound of how he has truly touched the lives of all around him, irrespective of tongue, tribe or creed.

The week-long cerebration normally commences with a project inspection tour of the St Louis Catholic Parish, Uruagu-Nnewi, the St Louis Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools, all located within the expansive premises of the church, ending with thanksgiving mass on August 15.

The church service precedes the grand reception for all, where the philanthropist usually unveils the latest beneficiaries of his education Foundation, which has been funding and providing qualitative education to bright indigent pupils from primary to tertiary institutions since September 2013.

His eldest son and a director in the Foundation, Emeka Onwugbenu, at its inauguration in 2013 presented a N10million cheque to support the project and vowed to emulate his father’s philanthropy and love for the less privileged.

His style was such that at one of the events, news filtered in that some patients already discharged by the nearby university teaching hospital could not go home because they were unable to settle their bills of about N2million.

He quickly dropped his glass of birthday wine to offset the bills, making it possible for the three recuperating patients to go home to reunite with their families.

His life of philanthropy has remained amazing, limitless and inexhaustible, with the donation of a three-storey building complex to St Louis Primary School, Uruagu-Nnewi.

Inmates of the RECDOT in Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Council have benefitted immensely from his philanthropic gesture, as has St Louis Catholic Church, Uruagu, just as he has built many facilities for the Catholic Church and communities even outside the state.