Chief Louis Izuchukwu Onwugbenu, KSG (Okpataozuora Nnewi), ranks among the finest of his generation. He is a business mogul and philanthropist who has touched many lives.
Onwugbenu, through hard work and God’s grace, rose from a humble background to become a colossus. He has, in the past three decades, silently provided shelter and succour to many.
Born on August 15, 1953, Onwugbenu is 70 today. Also, today he celebrates his 30th anniversary of hosting the Block Rosary Crusade, which shares the Feast of Assumption date with him. It is a sacred day widely celebrated all over Christendom marking the Virgin Mary’s ascension to heaven.
The triple celebration this year for Chief Louis Onwugbenu will be completed in December when his Louis Carter Foundation will mark its 10 years of existence.
Today, the red carpet will be rolled out to host over 5,000 children of different Block Rosary groups in Nnewi Catholic Diocese and also over 70 charity homes. It promises to be top moment for the less-privileged, as Louis Carter Foundation will splash millions on them in commemoration of Onwugbenu’s birthday.
In this interview with some journalists online, from his United States base, Onwugbenu expresses joy and happily recounts his abundant blessings from God.
For the benefit of those who do not know you well, could you tell us about yourself and personal life?
I’m Chief Louis Izuchukwu Onwugbenu, KSG, Okpataozuora Nnewi. I’m the chairman, Louis Carter Group. I was born into the family of the late Augustine Onwugbenu and Mrs. Cecilia Onwugbenu of Ndi-Ojukwu village in Uruagu Nnewi on August 15, 1953. My birth coincided with the notation of Assumption date observed as a sacred day among Catholics. I was baptized on September 13, 1953, by the Irish Priest, Rev. Fr. Louis Kettle, who gave me the name Louis.
I was nurtured early in life in the percepts of Christianity and was well groomed by the Irish priests, led by Fr. Kettle, and included Frs. Duncan and Baylon. Monsignor Basil Onwuasomba also mentored me greatly. As a Mass server (Altar Boy, Altar Knight), I was so privileged to have been raised with a solid religious background, especially when one also considers the strict discipline inculcated into me by my parents. So, I strongly attribute my success in life to my upbringing and, of course, handwork and vision.
You must have experienced some high and low points in life. At 70, what do you hope for and what do we expect on your birthday?
As I continue to count my blessings, so shall I continue to rededicate myself to the service of humanity. It’s my intention to establish a university for St. Louis in the nearest future to complement the nursery, primary and secondary schools. My traducers or detractors will continue to watch my rise. Only God is in control of my life. Those of them that feel that they can finish me should know that I’m still very much on top and still counting my blessings. Their devilish plot to covet my investments worth billions of naira will come to nothing at the end of the day. They will be put to shame because God is with me and I know that I’m born to win.
Attaining the biblical age is something I owe God a huge gratitude. I can’t thank my God enough for His mercies and choicest favours. In commemoration of this milestone event, I’m sponsoring an ongoing Nnewi Diocese choir competition. The anniversary will be celebrated by the Nnewi Diocesan Block Rosary on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, being Assumption Day and my birthday. Holy Mass will be celebrated at St. John Parish, Egbo, by 10am.
Afterwards, activities will take place. I’m hosting all the Block Rosary Crusades in the diocese and several charity homes. Many activities have been lined up and prizes will also be won, while all the participants will receive gift items and cash incentives.
I am also using the occasion to assist the Block Rosary groups in some of their projects. I want to inculcate that spirit of generosity in them and make them know that they can replicate such gestures when they grow up or even surpass what I’m doing today.
It is my honest belief that, after my exit from this world, many of these young children from Block Rosary will be the Louis Carter of their time and also help humanity just like I did.
What would you say are your highpoints?
My high points come in three folds. Firstly, it gives me a great sense of fulfillment any time I see congregants trooping in and going home from Mass every day, especially on Sundays when four Masses take place. The pleasure of providing a platform that enables people hear the word of God and seek salvation is unquantifiable.
Secondly, seeing pupils and students attend the nursery, primary and secondary schools I built in St. Louis Parish gives me a lot of joy. I’m very passionate about education, hence, since I couldn’t acquire it due to circumstances beyond my control, I encourage the younger generation to embrace it. I believe God that He will give me the grace to establish a world-class St. Louis University in the nearest future.
Thirdly, I built industries to create employment and job opportunities for people. This is to reduce the way people come to me begging for support for their family anytime I’m in the village. Therefore, when I see the workers trooping out of the factories after their shift jobs it gives me a lot of joy and sense of fulfillment.
Is there anything that had shaken your faith or made you afraid?
Yes, of course, as humans, we have to face certain challenges in life. The biggest low point yet for me was coming face to face with death on April 10, 2020, in the early stages of COVID-19. On April 10, 2020, I was rushed to the intensive care unit of the Reston Hospital Centre. My whole family were down from the pandemic. My last daughter, Juu-Juu, was already in serious condition. I couldn’t sleep at night because of worrying and over-thinking. I must say from my experience that over-thinking and anxiety are the major causes of death for people suffering from COVID-19.
After thorough cross-examination of my body, the doctors told me that my condition was bad and that my ailment had reached advanced stage. In fact, I had bilateral pneumonia. As I was being attended to, I witnessed people dying from the virus. I felt I was going to die, particularly after my doctor who was my age mate told me that the chance of those in our age bracket (67 years upwards) surviving the virus when the disease had reached such an advanced stage was remote. The doctors attributed the advanced bilateral pneumonia to COVID. I knew from their body language that I was in critical condition. I told myself, “Chai, o ka dike si naa?” (Is this how the mighty will end?) I thought of how the news of my death would go viral.
The doctors later confirmed my worst fears when they told me that I would be moved upstairs for more intensive treatment and closer monitoring in the ICU. There, I would be fully isolated. I asked and was told by the doctors that if I went upstairs, I would not see or discuss with any of my children again. And I imagined that if I did not make it alive, I would be buried without any funeral rites, which was the practice at that time. I refused to go upstairs against the doctor’s advice and instead preferred to go home and die among my loved ones than to die in isolation in a foreign land.
I called and notified my friend priests telling them the critical condition of my health, I urged them to pray for me and my family. I called Dr. Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) who had been so worried about my condition, to take care of my family as I wasn’t sure of my survival.
A deeply shocked Innoson was scared and called his close friend, Chief Uchenna Umeaneto (Ucheson Mary) to engage the services of prayer warriors to seek God’s intervention. Masses were booked in the process. To God be the glory, gradually, I miraculously regained my strength. All my family members, including my last child, Juu-Juu, who was in critical condition after we had given up hope, also miraculously recovered. If God could save me and my family from COVID, there’s nothing He cannot do for me.
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