HIS PARENTS COULDN’T PAY HIS FEES, HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL, TODAY HE HOLDS FOUR DEGREES AND FINANCES SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS…
Recent
chats with Africans are constantly proving the fact that they are a collection
of very fine breed of insurmountable, indomitable and awe-inspiring humans. Their
stories are constantly unique, though their challenges are sole, yet they have
a positive way of overcoming, rising like the dust, bringing forth terrifically
beautiful results like wet earth whose appetite has been fed full.
Engr.
Evans Chime Arimadu is no exception; his parents couldn’t see him through
school due to circumstances beyond their handling. Engr. Evans never did give
up, if his parents couldn’t see him through, his determination did. Listen as
he tells his own unique story.
Come
join us…
KamReports: Good
evening Engr. Evans, you are officially Welcome to an interview session with KamReports and Realhart. My name is Mr. Kanu
Augustine and with me is Mr. Ekeledo
Kelechi Hart. Can we meet you sir?
Engr. Evans: Good evening
my people, you're welcome too. I am Evans Chimenweghioyiri Arimadu, from Waji
Village of Isieke Autonomous Community in Obegu Town, ugwunagbo L.G.A, Abia
State. I am the only remaining son from my Mother, out of the five remaining.
RealHart: How
was your growing like?
Engr. Evans: Well my
growing wasn't easy at all. If I may be brief, my parents couldn't see me
through secondary school only up to class two, and could no longer afford the
fee which was Six Hundred Naira only (#600) then. I had to leave my parents to
stay with the younger sister to my Mum and her family in Kaduna. When I got there they refused to send me to
School but arranged for me to learn a trade with one Mr Bright. When I finished
my apprenticeship they gave me the sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira only (#15,000)
to start up my own business which I did, trading on female materials, joining
night bus to buy from Aba, Abia State to sell in Kaduna. In 1992, my aunt with
her husband collected my shop out of jealousy that I have started to make
progress when their children of same age with me have nothing. They also pushed
me out of their house at night and from then I was sleeping by the road side
from where I go to do street buying and selling known as chuwa chuwa or oso
ahia in Igbo parlance at Kaduna Central Market. I suffered for years
doing this. It was in this hunting for customers and hanging by other peoples
shops that I got money to attend lessons, because I have already made up my
mind to go to school. From there, I registered for WAEC, took Jamb and got
admission into ABU Zaria were I studied Engineering. It was also there I got money to register my
first company called Evans-Arins Int'l, an enterprise now
a limited liability company now. My growing up wasn't easy, that’s why if I see
youths going into crime today, maybe because they have no body to help or
nothing to do I feel so sad.
KamReports: This
I must say is quite exhaustive and lesson laden. Can you tell us what your
motivator was? It is relatively easy for you to have given up or opted for bad
life style, you didn't and rather remained resolute to do good and pursue
Excellence. What propelled this?
Engr. Evans: I must say
that my Dad told me who I am or who am meant to be. He told me what happened
when I was born, and the peculiarities of my birth.
Another
thing was that when I was growing up, I always come first in class.
Again,
many of my uncles and those around our village always believed that I can't
succeed because they succeeded in pulling my father down. People that come to
beg from my parents then turned to mock us. All these made me see life as a
challenge. A lot were involved anyway...
RealHart: Sir,
despite your penchant and instinct for business, you still choose the
Engineering profession, why?
Engr. Evans: I choose
Engineering because of my love for professionalism and creativity.
KamReports: You
mentioned that you studied Engineering. What particular field of Engineering are
you in?
Engr. Evans: I studied Civil
Engineering from ABU Zaria, Building Technology from Abia State Polytechnic, Project
Management from Janalwawal University New Delhi, India, now doing Surviving
/Informatics Federal Polytechnic Nekede. By next year I will join Federal
University to for Electrical Engineering. There is a record am pushing for and
to show both those who believed I can't make it without them that with God and
determination I can make it even better.
RealHart: In
view of your grass to grace story, how are you now touching the lives of those
who you were once like?
Engr. Evans: What you'll
see on the picture is what I do every 25th December, taking care of
the needy, the less privileged, the widows and orphans. I do so as part of my
calling in life. There's just no way I can finish mentioning all I have done; I
have gathered youths and empowered over two hundred youths in my local
government with imported hair dryers, sewing machines, clippers, generating
sets. Each according to your knowledge or training and that was 2014. In 2012 I
called home all unemployed educated youths from Ugwunagbo and gave some four,
some five, some two, three etc millions to go and start a trade without paying
back option. In 2013 I distributed 150 motorcycles to our young ones who are
capable of Okada business for free not hired purchase. I have given
scholarships to many up to tertiary level.
I
am the Okpe Udo Ala of Ugwunagbo (the peace maker), the Mmiri Na Ezoro Oha of
Etiti Ala Autonomous Community (the rain that benefits all), Omere Oha of
Obingwa LGA (the philanthropist), Nwaji Ugonnaya of Akanu Ngwa Autonomous
Community (the son that upholds his father’s pride), all are merited
chieftaincy titles conferred on me by various communities in Abia State.
In
2007/2008 when kidnapping was the order of the day in my Local Government and
my people were sleeping in the bushes, and many killed and some raped, I heard
of it and instead of running far from home I came back home met with the then
Commissioner of Police and the Aba Area Commander with the State Bakasi
Commander, spent millions of Naira to stop the operations of hoodlums and
kidnapping from my area. I only fought that battle by God's grace without the
help of anyone. Some were killed in the process and some ran away never to come
back home again till date. Despite there were no presence of Soldiers then. The
criminals even went and set my house ablaze in my country home. However, my
place is better off now than then.
These
other pictures are the Widows of Late Traditional Rulers of Abia State in
general led by the former Commissioner for women affairs in a blue top standing
and introducing the people on the day I hosted them in my Country home (Obegu).
For the first time after the demise of their husbands for anyone to decide to
host them, give them both money, food stuffs, clothing and so on.
KamReports: It is
common knowledge and traditional in developing nations like Nigeria for
philanthropic persons to muster political intentions and ambitions or later
allow themselves to be chided into politics by people. What are the political
ambitions you are silently nurturing or when will you hearkens to the inviting
voices of those you are helping and have a kick at politics?
Engr. Evans: I am not interested.
I am an Evangelist, preaching the truth in Christ. I am also a student for the
next ten years, and will like to practice my profession or chosen careers to
the fullest. I may not have time for politics, unless God says otherwise in
future.
KamReports: Looking at Abia State, one could
tell politically and leadership speaking that all is not right. Don't you think
that you are the long awaited Messiah of your people; don't you think that your
people need you as a leader in order to alleviate their sufferings?
Engr. Evans: Well, there's
always a difference between want and need
KamReports: Make
us understand the difference Sir.
Engr. Evans: I may be the
want of my people at this time but may not be their need. That's why I am always
teaching people that man or woman can only know their want at a time and even
like to have it at all cost, but only God has the ability to know or supply our
needs. Because only him knows truly what is due for us all and at the right
time too. So if my people are suffering now it's only God who could say I never
planned this conditions for my people, so let me send a Messiah to my people.
And by that time I May not be God's choice for such job. It may just be that I was
born for the one am doing now. It's simple, all these can be achievable if we
plan well and if we are determined too.
RealHart: As a
father and a husband, how do you combine your numerous engagements in Academics,
Office, and Church and still out there at home for your family?
Engr. Evans: It's just a
matter of character and sincerity of purpose. What you love can't be far from
you. Understanding will definitely apply in this case if there has been
sincerity in the home and marriage from beginning.
RealHart: How
many children do you have, sir?
Engr. Evans: I have many
Children under my care. I am expecting more from my wife and more to be adopted.
So I may end up having between seven and ten.
KamReports: It's
clear you have achieved quite a great deal, making it necessary to ask you what
in all you may rightly tag your greatest achievement.
Engr. Evans: I can only tag
it "By God's Grace". Only Him made it possible. Only Him owns the
success, hence He is always there in times of pain, to Him alone be all glory.
RealHart: Before
we conclude, can you share with us your future plans?
Engr. Evans: The only
further plan I know I have now is to study E.E from next year as I leave Federal
Polytechnic Nekede. If God permits I can open one or two industrial firms were I
can employ some of our youths. That’s all I can say.
KamReports: A man
with wealth of experience as you do will definitely have a lot of counsel for
all. What words will you leave for the children, youths, adults, the government
and the world?
Engr. Evans: My brothers, for
the children I say, prepare to face the world as a peculiar child, refuse to
grow to be like anybody even your parents.
To
the youths, if you're trying to be like some else, the best you can be is
number two, so resolve to create a future and a life of your own in the fear of
the Lord. And to Adults I must say, in those days our parents used to say that
"gray hair is wisdom", but I wonder why the elders are the ones
leading the youths astray; Rape, Corruption, Unrighteousness, impunity and all
kinds of Evil are now falling like rain from adults to the younger ones. I pray
for a change in both characters and otherwise in everything we do. Either in
government, Church, home or in public Let us try to live the life of Christ
which is full of love for others and for all mankind.
KamReports: Thank
you very much Engr. Evans, it's been wonderful having this round table chat with
you. We do hope you grant us audience when next we call. You can also call on
us anytime you feel that there is something that the world ought to know.
Engr. Evans: It’s ok. I also
appreciate talking with you both. Any time any day if am found worthy, I will
answer. Good night pals
KamReports: Good
night sir and extend our warm regards to your family.
Engr. Evans: They will hear,
thank you.
RealHart: You
are welcome, Sir.
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