The Chairman

CHIEF UZOMA OBIYO: TALE OF A HUMBLE BEGINNER Some men are born great. Some achieve greatness while others have greatness thrust at them. This is a cliche that has gained currency over the ages. Chief Uzoma Obiyo is a man of many parts who can easily fit into the category of those that achieved greatness out of sheer determination, hardwork and unflagging cum unwavering commitment. He is humble, humane, gentle, affable and above all unassuming. He is a man that is blessed with an enchanting personality that attracts the best in everything he does. He is respected by his contemporaries and those at the highest echelon of society. A man of vision with a high sense of responsibility, Chief Uzoma Obiyo is equally a philanthropist whose love for the upliftment of humanity knows no limit. Though, he struggled all alone to rise to the crest of greatness, this did not in any way diminish his resolve to help others with anything at his disposal including his hard earned resources. He is one man whose life has impacted very positively on those who have had contact with him either in the business or social arena. On November 10, 1966, Providence showered on the family of Obiyo in the serene Community of Ugiri-Ike, Ikeduru in Imo State with a gift. There was twine juxtapose of a sharp yell from a tiny voice and an echoes of laughter and joy from the neighborhoods. The first was a sign of arrival into the world by a new bouncing baby boy and the second was the exhilaration brought about by the birth. In no time the gongs sounded and the drums vibrated in such a rhythmic crescendo setting the stage for celebration. It apparently depicted the beauty of life that is really worth sharing. Few days later, the child was christened Uzoma, meaning 'Good Road.' When that name was given to the new boy, his parents did not quite understand that they were correctly prophesying the mind of God on the child. From then, little Uzoma began to exhibit extra-ordinary qualities that truly present him as to have been threading on good paths in one hand and have also served as a good road to others who came across him. His was a very humble background, quite unlike some that began with silver spoon. His early childhood was characterized by the trauma of the internecine civil war between Nigeria and the then Republic of Biafra. The race for survival in the face of serious hardship at the end of the war no doubt etched in the mind of the young Uzoma early enough that the key to success is hardwork and unflinching commitment to ones set goals. His first assignment then, was to acquire sound education as the bedrock to success in life. As a preparation for the challenges ahead, the young Uzoma attended Ugiri-Ike Community Primary School, Ugiri-Ike, Ikeduru in Imo State from 1972 to 1977 where he obtained his first school leaving certificate. Later in 1977 his zeal to advance his education took young Uzoma to Obazu Community Grammar School, Mbieri, Imo State where in 1983 he obtained West African School Certificate in flying colours. As an intelligent young man, Uzoma is naturally inquisitive. His absolute curiosity about the world of modern technology and the utmost desire to drink deep from the fountain of knowledge took him to the famous Kaduna Polytechnic, in Kaduna State where he studied Computer Science from 1984 to 1988 and obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science. Today, Chief Uzoma Obiyo is a computer and telecommunication icon with abundant technical and entrepreneurial skills. Having equipped himself academically, he did not find it difficult in securing employment with Universal Insurance Company Limited, Enugu where he had a stint and distinguished himself as an Insurance Underwriter from 1989 to 1992. While there, young Uzoma exhibited rare managerial and administrative sagacity which endeared him to both management and colleagues alike. His unsurpassed leadership qualities and blossoming entrepreneurial skills clearly marked him out as someone destined for greater achievements. Chief Obiyo has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Multi-Net Systems Limited with corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt Since  1997, till date. Though, the enormous challenges posed by the harsh operating environment in Nigeria could be deterring, Chief Obiyo has persistently shown rare administrative, leadership and entrepreneurial competence that stands him out as a rare gem. These qualities has made him turn every challenge into greater business opportunities and made greater fortunes out of them. He is a passionate driven leader who does not only have rare vision and enormous strength, but also energises those who work with or under him as the case may be. This coupled with his affable character has attracted the best brains in the telecommunications industry to his company- Multi-Net Systems Limited, a major player in the retail and services aspect of the industry. Therefore, with a success driven, efficient and well motivated staff, his business concerns have grown in leaps and bounds and have branches in many major cities in Nigeria as well as diversified with major investments in real estates. To propel the MTN Connect Centre, Samanny Infotech Services and Billnetwork Limited was incorporated as subsidiaries of Multinet Systems Limited. There is no iota of doubt that Chief Uzoma Obiyo is a successful gentleman. Though, he has attained enviable position in the society, his success is not measured by the position he has reached in 1ife, rather by the obstacles he overcame while ascending the crest of success. He is indeed a self made man yet humble, focused and ever ready to assist others to succeed. These are some qualities that His Royal Majesty, Eze Francis Elendu Agunwah identified to confer on him the Ebube Mba of Ezinihite Mbieri. Also in a very short period of arriving into the telecommunication sector, Chief Uzoma Obiyo has remarkably imprinted his name in the story of the sector’s success in Nigeria. This encouraged MTN Nigeria to confer on him the Company’s Dealership Award in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 marking him out as a business icon. As a devout Christian, Chief Uzoma Obiyo always puts God first in his dealings with business associates, friends and acquaintances. Because of his obvious honesty and warm hearted friendliness, the name Chief Uzoma Obiyo inspires trust and confidence among friends and associates. No wonder he is so abundantly blessed for “if the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes his steps firm, though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hands.” Certainly, Chief Uzoma Obiyo is an embodiment of hard work, perseverance, commitment, dedication, honesty and faith in God. Virtues that have set him on the pinnacle of achievements across the strata of society. His life is indeed a celebration of excellence and success which serves as a model to many young Nigerians as an ideal leader. He is happily married to a beautiful lady, Mrs.Uchechi Obiyo with three brilliant sons, Samuel, Emmanuel, Williams and a beautiful daughter, Miriam.