By Onyema Johnson Ogbonna
What more could be said of a man who is known to be diligent in his work for nearly four decades? Of course, he will be celebrated and his name written in gold in the annals of times. This is the case of the out-going Director of Production/Manufacturing, Pharm. Humphrey Ndubisi Obiora Ezekwesili, an astute Pharmacist of many parts. His contributions in the Pharmaceutical industry have been adjudged immeasurable by all. No wonder his 19 years of quality service to Afrab-Chem. Ltd. now earned him a place in the history of the organisation, even as he gloriously steps aside come today.
“Mr. Production must go on”, he as was fondly called by his subordinates and colleagues, is a nickname that will remain with him for a very long time. Records showed that for 19 years, he was never late to work or absented himself, except on an occasion when he had to keep an early morning medical appointment.
On Friday, the 17th of March, the management of Afrab-Chem. Ltd., under the able supervision of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Malik Shahin, organised a befitting sent-forth party in honour of the outgoing director, whose shoes they say will be too big for anyone to fit in. Mr. Malik was full of praise, as he showered encomium on the man of the moment, Pharm. Ezekwesili.
The MD/CEO went back memory lane to 1998, as he reminisced his first encounter with Ezekwesili, who was then on a courtesy visit to Jordan. He remembered that he, Malik, was assigned with the sole responsibility of ensuring that Pharm. Ezekwesili’s visit to the city of Haman was a memorable one. “Even now, as the MD of Afrab-Chem. Ltd., I am overwhelmed over the quality of services he rendered to this company within the few years we have worked together. I don’t think anyone can fit into his shoes,” Mr. Malik reiterated. To buttress his point, the MD/CEO attributed the success of Panda range of products to the singular contribution of Ezekwesili to Afrab-Chem.Ltd and humanity in general.
Again, worthy of note was how the out-going Director of Production/Manufacturing’s quality advice aided one Mr. Chibuike Okafor, a sales representative with JOSWE, to overcome certain challenge that finally gave him breakthrough in his sales promotion and marketing assignment.
The General Manager, Human Resources, Mr. Ezediuno, gave vivid account of how the celebrant through commitment to duty rose to the echelon of his career after 37 years of practice. “We all can now see how Pharm. Obiora Ezekwesili has shown us that hard work does pay-off at the end of the day,” he concluded.
Ezekwesili could not hold back his joy over the endless encomiums showered on him, as he took time to appreciate everyone for their eulogies. He promised to keep the flag flying, and never to turn down the burning flame of hard work, equity, fair play and justice in whatever sphere of life he is opportune to serve.
Pharm. Ezekwesili graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with B.Pharm (Hons.) in 1980, and did his internship at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. After his NYSC, he joined Nigeria Chemical Services Ltd., Ikeja, as Superintendent/Production Pharmacist. He worked at Chemiron International Ltd., as the production manager from April 1989 to December 1996. He was headhunted by David Laboratories, Owerri, to be the Head of Production (Plant Manager) between 1996 and 1998. Ezekwesili was pouched back again to Lagos, this time around, by Afab-Chem. Ltd., in 1998, as production manager where he worked for 19 years of meritorious service. He is retiring as the Production Director/ Manufacturing.