By UGO IKEM

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception; it is a prevailing attitude” — Colin Powell

The pursuit of excellence through diligence and consistency in that pursuit will always deliver rewards in due season. It is often easy to distinguish individuals by the impact of their service measured by their contributions to society and by the depth of their character. For the few who have achieved eminence through their craft and whose footprints are all over the land, the commitment to excellence has always been a defining factor in their journey to success.

In the realm of entrepreneurship, one of such great names is Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) who has earned medals in recognition of his excellent accomplishments. He embodies excellence through his diligent service to others and the nation with numerous businesses that have created thousands of jobs.

Complete with zest and candour, built with such eternal hunger for success and intrinsic social charisma, he can share spaces with Princes and Kings, industry leaders at the uppermost of society, yet not lose touch of his humble start from where all his passion and assiduousness came.

Obi Cubana is not just a socialite but a builder of people and a promoter of value-based leadership and excellence in business with a depth of altruism toward others. He neither inherited wealth nor won a lottery, but through hard work, he has established himself and built vast wealth. After graduating from the University and at a time when some of his contemporaries left the country in search of greener pastures, Obi Cubana dug in and stayed put, proofing a point that Nigeria is a profitable land for those who can believe in the ‘Nigerian dream’ and pursue such desires with an unquenchable taste for excellence in service to others and society.

Equipped with that desire to remain outstanding in a country where very few can lift their heads above the waters, he was rewarded with success, not by luck but by the virtues of his diligence, purpose, uprightness, and trustworthy character. With his fame and fortune spread everywhere, Obi Cubana is still often seen amongst associates, family, friends, old schoolmates, and even total strangers, in unexpected places supporting those he can and standing up for young people in ways that he can give them hope, the pure spirit of altruism that has defined him for many years. He is one of the most recognizable backers of the Nigerian entertainment Industry, especially through brand endorsement deals and partnerships with old and young talents in music, comedy/skit makers, sports, and movies. At the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, he was on hand cheering and motivating the players.

Determined always to give a hand to demonstrate his depth of kindness, in one instance, he took a young man hawking from the street and sent him back to study law, giving the young man, from a poor home, an opportunity to begin rebuilding from nothing.

It is worth mentioning that very little was known about Obi Cubana as a businessman in the public space, not until the festival-like event that marked the celebration of his mother in Oba, Anambra State. He has always been one who built in silence. That introduced him to the world beyond his close friends, business partners, and others he has had remarkable relationships. That event brought him to the world’s attention when Nigerians everywhere were held bound to the display of splendour that marked the rites of passage of Innyom Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu. Indeed, money rained in Oba.

It was not just because Obi Cubana desired an elaborate ceremony, a deserving celebration of the well-lived life for his mother who passed before she turned eighty, rather it was the display of loyalty from his business associates, friends, and well-wishers who felt that that sad event was the appropriate occasion to both console him and also reciprocate the faithfulness that Obi Cubana has shown to their friendship, while appreciating him for the impact he has had on their families, businesses through collaborations and patronage. Every mother desires a child with an outstanding legacy of excellence and goodwill that stands out.

An accomplished family man with the best wife anyone would wish for, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu has distinguished himself in the hospitality sector, founding and building one of the most easily recognizable hospitality brands in Nigeria, the CUBANA GROUP. Not only has he successfully grown the Cubana business to a massive success over these years, but he has also developed other businesses across sectors such as real estate, distributive trade, logistics and transport, gaming, and culture promotion with thousands of young people employed and earning income to sustain themselves and families.

Having stayed through to his vision and accomplished outstanding progress through diligent pursuit of excellence, while supporting many young people to find their purpose and pursue their passion, Obinna Iyiegbu remains a symbol of hope for the average Nigerian young person desirous of growth and success who is wondering what Nigeria holds in promise. His story comes from believing in the possibility of abundance through hard work, faith in self, diligence, and trustworthy character, knowing that by being a ‘good person’, the land can and will bring forth an abundance of blessings!

On his journey to 50 years in 2025, the world has been blessed by such a great man!

•Ugo Ikem is a public affairs analyst and social commentator who writes from Asaba.

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